How do I Choose Colors for Siding, Roof and Shutters?

The color of a home is an important choice for a homeowner.

Planning the colors for a home's siding, roofing material and shutters is an important step in home building or renovation. The overall colors of your home will greatly affect how it blends in with or stands out from its surroundings. Changing a home's color scheme is a pricey process, so you will want to get it right the first time; otherwise, your wallet might suffer from a poor color choice. With a little planning, you can choose colors that will work well with your home and its surroundings.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper

Instructions

1. Look at the color of surrounding houses in your neighborhood. You should choose a color that complements the surrounding homes. Also, consider the color of the fixed elements of the home. For example, if the home's foundation is made of brick, you'll want to choose a color that coordinates with the brick tone. Head to a local home improvement store with these considerations in mind, and ask for some siding samples similar to the colors you now have in mind. Bring the siding samples home and choose one that best suits the surroundings.

2. Consider the color of your newly chosen siding along with the surrounding landscape when choosing a roofing material color. You'll want to choose a color that complements the color of your home's siding. For example, if the siding is a natural brown color, choose a slightly darker or lighter brown roof material. If you do not want your roof to match your home's siding color, the roofing can complement the landscape that surrounds the home instead. For example, if you live in a desert, consider an earthy brown tone. Alternatively, if you live in a heavily wooded area, you might consider a green roofing color.

3. The shutters of a home should complement but not match the color of the home's siding. Choose a color that flows well with that of the siding. Refer to a classic color wheel when choosing the shutter color for a home. Colors that are directly beside or directly across from the color of your home's siding will complement it well. For example, if the home's siding is green, yellow or blue shutters would complement the siding well. If you're going for a bold look, purple or red would complement a home with green siding as well.

References

• "Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Roofing Siding & Trim: Updated 2nd Edition, Protect & Beautify the Exterior of Your Home"; by Chris Marshall; 2008

Resources

• Color Matters: Color Theory