How to Select Exterior Home Siding Colors
Your home's exterior color scheme is important for many reasons. It provides visitors and passersby with a first impression, places emphasis on the design structure of your home, and contributes to curb appeal, which is an important element in raising your home's equity and resale value. Siding colors should be chosen thoughtfully, since your exterior siding will be a constant design element and should remain aesthetically pleasing throughout the years. With some helpful tips, you can be sure to choose colors that you can enjoy for the life of your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Create a budget. Decide the maximum amount of money you can spend and the least amount you would like to spend. Having a budget is important because brand prices vary and competing brands offer different shades and hues. With budget in hand, you will be able to narrow your choices.
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Collect color samples. If your siding is wood, cement board or another paintable surface, go to the paint department of your local building supply store. Go to the contractor's desk if you will be installing vinyl or aluminum siding.
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In the paint department, you will find pamphlets containing the store's available exterior colors in coordinating collections. Gather all the color collection samples that appeal to you. For pre-colored siding, ask an expert at the contractor's desk for color samples that you can take home. You will have to return these samples.
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Compare color samples outside at morning, noon and evening, as the appearance of colors will change with the lighting.
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Decide whether you would like monochromatic or complementary colors for the trim and siding. Monochromatic colors are different shades of one color and will blend together for a more seamless appearance. Complementary colors will provide contrast and will give the exterior a bolder look.
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Choose three hues for the main portion of your siding.
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Choose three coordinating colors for the trim. Alternatively, you can choose two separate groups of three colors if you would like shutters, windows and door sashes to be a different color than the trim.
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Select one color from your three main choices.
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Compare your trim and corner color choices with the main color in natural lighting. Choose one color for both trim and windows or choose a separate color for each.
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Compare your final color choices outdoors several times to ensure your continued satisfaction before you order.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose classic colors and hues for lasting appeal.
Ask others for their opinion of your three color combinations to gain a little outside perspective before choosing your final colors.
Look at the basic colors of surrounding homes in your neighborhood for inspiration.
Avoid garish or trendy colors that can quickly become overwhelming and outdated.
Don't paint your house exactly the same as your neighbors' homes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit home sweet home image by David Dorner from Fotolia.com
