One indication that vinyl can be painted is this: Milgard, a major window manufacturer in the western half of the country, sells vinyl windows with a painted finish — even in very dark colors ...

Painting vinyl windows creates extra upkeep and could void the warranty. But if you decide to do it, take care in choosing your paint and color.

If your vinyl window frames are looking dingy or streaked, they might just be dirty or even mildewed. After all, they are exposed to outdoor dust, dirt, air pollution, and moisture 24 hours a day.

Over time, vinyl window frames often fade, discolor or develop a chalky appearance. — HOA. On the other hand, your homeowners association may require a more subdued color.

Compared to vinyl windows, fiberglass windows have more color and style options to choose from. And you can paint them virtually any color to match your home’s exterior .

Fiberglass is easy to paint, too, which is helpful if you decide to change the exterior colors of your home as time goes by. Vinyl doesn’t hold on to paint and it voids the warranty.

If your vinyl window frames are looking dingy or streaked, they might just be dirty or even mildewed. After all, they are exposed to outdoor dust, dirt, air pollution, and moisture 24 hours a day.