Painting your house’s exterior can make a dramatic difference in how your house looks, but that’s not the only advantage. A fresh coat of paint increases your resale value, allows you to address minor weather or environmental damage, and provides protection from the elements, too. Whether you want to repaint your home to keep it looking spiffy or want to ensure that it doesn’t succumb to weather damage, there are some things you should consider. One of the most significant considerations is likely what color paint you should choose. Keep these things in mind when selecting the paint color when painting your home.
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Can Your House Siding Be Painted?
Aluminum Siding
The color in your aluminum siding can fade in the sun, but it doesn’t always need to be replaced. Providing the siding is in good condition and still protecting your home, it can be repainted to breathe new life into the appearance of your home. Aluminum siding painting generally lasts 10 to 15 years, depending on the exposure to the sun and other environmental stresses (such as high winds).
Cedar Wood Siding
Cedar is typically stained to prevent fading as it ages, but the effect doesn’t last forever. After 8 to 10 years, your cedar siding may need to be re-stained or painted to bring back its beauty.
Hardie Board Siding
Hardie board siding is durable, pest resistant, and beautiful. It typically comes with a guarantee against cracking, peeling, or chipping for 15 years. That means you can expect the color to look good, too. After 15 years, your Hardie Board siding may need a fresh coat of paint.
Stucco House Exterior
Stucco can be painted any color to give your home a fresh, new look. The advantage to stucco painting is that it is done right by a professional the new paint will remain bright and attractive for up to 20 years. A professional pressure washing can help refresh in between painting to keep your stucco looking its best.
How to Choose a Paint Color
Consider the Neighborhood
While to don’t have any obligation to stick with the colors prevalent in your neighborhood, painting your home in a dramatically different color scheme will set your home apart and could have negative consequences. If you decide to sell, prospective buys may pass you by because your house just doesn’t feel right for the neighborhood. To create a unified look, choose color schemes that are similar to those in your neighborhood. You can also add a personal touch with a brightly colored front door or other accents.
Consider Historical House Colors
If you live in an older home, choosing historically accurate colors can boost curb appeal and give your home the dignity it deserves. This is especially true if your home is in a historic district or other historic homes are in the neighborhood.
Consider the Image You Want to Project
Think about the effect you want to create by painting your house. Do you want it to blend in with the landscape? If so, look around and choose colors that occur naturally in the geological features near your home. Do you want your home to stand out from the landscape? Choose contrasting colors.
The Effects of Light vs. Dark House Paint Colors
There are several things to consider when deciding between light and dark paint colors. Light colors are well-suited for warm climates as they stay cooler in the sun, while darker colors have the opposite effect and warm the house in the summer sun. But light and dark colors do more than affect the heating and cooling of your home. Light colors brighten the home and make it seem bigger, while dark colors allow the house to recede into the background giving it a smaller appearance. If you have a long meandering driveway lined with perennials and want them to be the focal point, consider darker shades for your home.
Use a Virtual App To See House Paint Colors
Using a virtual app that allows you to upload an image of your home and ‘try on’ different color schemes is a game-changer in choosing the right color for your home. You are free to try as many color combinations as you like to custom design just the right look for you.
Some Popular House Colors
If remaining trendy is important to you, you can’t go wrong with paints in shades of gray, blue, gray-blue, earthy greens or warm whites, creams, and yellows. Try painting the front door a bolder color to make a big statement and express your style.
Keep in mind that paint colors can be deceiving and look different in a different light. A home positioned in the direct sun all day will look lighter than one set in the shade, even when painted with identical shades of paint.