Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

Well chosen exterior paint colors can dramatically improve your home's curb appeal and add value to your house. Changing up your siding and trim can create an entirely new look, but with thousands of exterior paint colors, dozens of manufacturers and many sheens to choose from, the possible combinations of house painting colors can be mind numbing.

Although it seems simple, choosing exterior paint colors can be one of the most difficult, time consuming aspects of the entire project! The challenge is to allow your personality to shine through, while retaining (or increasing!) curb appeal.

It's best to get this right the first time, but fortunately paint is fairly inexpensive and in many situations the color can be easily changed with a little more effort and a few more gallons of paint.

What Works Best Outside

Medium tone, neutral colors are the most appropriate shades for outdoor use. Even if you have no HOA restrictions, you should consider your neighbors' feelings and resale value.

In addition, the color you choose can have a direct effect on the cost, completion time, and durability of your paint project. Not all exterior paint colors hold up to UV light, and may fade with time. Beiges and light- to medium-browns have better than average resistance to UV light and fading. They also provide excellent coverage. Other shades, especially true reds and yellows, can require multiple coats; up to six, in some cases. Remember, the more coats you'll need, the longer and more expensive the job will be.

Getting Inspired

Does someone else have a say in your home's color? Your Homeowner's Association or community charter may dictate (or forbid!) the use of certain colors. Be sure to check; painting over a shade you've fallen in love with can be heartbreaking as well as expensive.

Likewise, if you live in an older home with historic value, your local housing authority can recommend historic paint colors or schemes appropriate to your home's architecture. Some communities provide incentives to restore your home to its former glory. Some homeowners may receive as much as 50% of the contract fee as a tax credit! Well worth the price of a few phone calls, don't you think?

Drive around your neighborhood. Chances are, imitating your neighbors color schemes will work out well. You don't need to take the cookie-cutter approach, but choosing coordinating colors will help you get a feel for what buyers want and ensure that your house will never be "that weird one on the corner."

Look in books and magazines. Starting with a home-improvement magazine like Better Homes and Gardens is an inexpensive way to get started. You'll find a wide variety of color schemes for every taste. Books are another good option. Check them out at your local library, or purchase them from your home-improvement store. Books usually go into more depth than short little magazine articles can.

In either case, be aware that what you see is not necessarily what you get. Graphics programs and printing presses are somewhat limited; the colors you see on the page may not accurately represent the true color of the paint, although they'll be close. Your best bet, if you want an exact match, is to bring the page into the paint store with you and find swatches that are close, rather than using the specific color mentioned in the article.

Let the manufacturer inspire you. Experimenting with a manufacturers paint color fan deck (basically a color wheel on steroids) is another way to find exterior paint colors that work well together. Because there are so many options, however, a fan deck can overwhelm you even more!

Your contractor can help. Ask your contractor for ideas. He knows what other homeowners are asking for, what colors hold up best to weather and sun, and which colors provide good coverage with the least effort.

Use Quality Paint

Using appropriate paint is a big part of the equation, too. You need to purchase paint that is specifically formulated for outdoor use (the label will say "exterior"). Generally, bargain brands are no bargain. Bigger paint companies put more time into research and development, so their formulas tend to have better coverage and are easier to use. When in doubt, ask for recommendations. Online message boards are a good place to find out whether a specific brand lives up to the hype on the label. Contractors who paint dozens, if not hundreds of buildings per year are experts on what lasts. And paint store employees are usually well-trained and can recommend specific products for your project.

Apply Samples

If you've got it narrowed down, apply some samples. The surrounding environment can make a color look very different. Check the sample both in light and in shade, at night and during the day. Picking a shade that looks good all the time will save you time, money, and frustration.

Choosing the color you like may be the most time-consuming part of the process, but remember that it's only half the battle. If you really want your project to look good, you'll need to properly prepare the surface and apply an appropriate primer before painting. Good luck!

Your Ideas

Have A Great Idea That Can Help Us All Choose Exterior Paint Colors?

Have you used a great color combination on your home? Or you have found a perfect color to go with your brick and front door. Your ideas and experiences will be a great help, so share your ideas or tips and help us all!

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