Choosing an Exterior Color for Your Home

Choosing the right color for the exterior of your home is important. Many homeowners choose the wrong colors because they fail to plan a color scheme. If you plan and think about your color choices it can make all the difference. The appearance of the exterior of your home is vital in making a great first impression.

First you should consider the style of your home. If you have a home with good architecture you could choose from a variety of colors. Colors that contrast each other can highlight quality architecture. Smaller homes should have colors that are closely related when painting the body and trim. This helps the home look larger than it actually is.

Testing colors can help in the decision process. Never rely on color coded cards you find in the store. The exterior paint colors in the store look different than they would in natural sunlight. You can try uploading a photo of your exterior to www.sherwin-williams.com or www.benjaminmoore.com. Both websites allow you to virtually paint the exterior of your home with their colors. Keep in mind that these colors may not reflect the true paint colors you will get from the store, but it can be a helpful tool in making a choice. Another option in helping you make a choice would be to purchase a small sample of the paint. Some paints like Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore make small samplers that you can buy. You can even buy Benjamin Moore samplers online for 4.99 for one ounce. That will paint an area of 2' x 2'. Once you pick out some potential colors test them on a small portion of your home.

Using vibrant colors on trim and doors can be a good combination with a light color on the body of your home. You can try using a traditional color for the body of your home as well. Then, spice it up with a deeper color on the trim, doors, and shutters. Remember to keep in mind colors that complement stone, brick work, and roofing on your home. If you choose colors that are closely related it can make your choice easier. Avoid extreme contrasts by using colors that are several shades different. Just like the interior of your home warm colors make your exterior feel cozy. Lighter colors make a home feel larger too.

If you have old trim and accents you don't want to highlight them. Painting unattractive features the same color as the body will hide the imperfections. Highlight the attractive features of your home with a different color. Also, remember to pick colors that don't clash with your neighborhood.

Picking a good quality paint is vital. This could save you money ensuring that there will be no repainting in the near future. There are many brands of excellent high quality paints available. I recommend using a high quality acrylic latex exterior paint. For example, Duration Exterior acrylic latex is an excellent paint. You can buy it at Sherwin Williams. It comes in flat, satin, and gloss finishes. I like this paint because it is guaranteed for as long as you own your home. It is also resistant to peeling and blistering. Benjamin Moore carries good exterior paint as well, like Aura Exterior. No matter what brand you choose make sure it is for the exterior of the home. Using a high quality paint will protect your home and offer you long lasting color for years to come.

sources:

www.sherwin-williams.com
www.benjaminmoore.com