When it comes to painting the exterior of your home, choosing the right paint and color can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your property. Not only does the right paint protect your home from the elements, but it can also enhance its curb appeal and value. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the right exterior paint and color for your home.
Types of Exterior Paint
Before you choose a paint color, it’s important to understand the different types of exterior paint available. Here are the most common types of exterior paint:
Latex exterior paint:
Latex paint is a water-based paint that is easy to apply and dries quickly. It is a popular choice for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to fading and cracking.
Oil-Based exterior paint:
Oil-based paint is a solvent-based paint known for its durability and resistance to chipping and peeling. It is a good choice for older homes with a lot of woodwork and trim.
Stucco exterior paint:
Stucco paint is a specialized paint designed for use on stucco surfaces. It is typically a high-build, elastomeric coating designed to fill in and cover small cracks and imperfections in the stucco.
Acrylic-based exterior paint:
Acrylic-based paint is a water-based paint known for its excellent adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to cracking and peeling. It is commonly used on wood, concrete, and masonry surfaces, and is resistant to fading, mildew, and other types of damage.
Epoxy exterior paint:
Epoxy paint is a two-part system that consists of a resin and hardener. It is commonly used on metal surfaces, such as fences or railings, to provide a durable, corrosion-resistant finish.
Choosing the Right Exterior Paint
When choosing the right exterior paint for your home, there are a few factors to consider:
Climate:
The climate in your area can affect the type of paint you choose. If you live in a hot and humid climate, for example, you may want to choose a paint that is resistant to mildew and mold. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to choose a paint designed to withstand freezing temperatures.
Surface:
The type of surface you’re painting can also affect the type of paint you choose. For example, if you’re painting wood siding, you may want to choose a paint that is designed for wood surfaces.
Durability:
Consider how long you want your paint job to last. If you want a long-lasting paint job, you may want to choose a paint designed to last for 10 years or more.
Paint color:
The color of your paint can also affect the performance of your paint. Darker colors may absorb more heat and fade faster, while lighter colors may be more prone to staining or discoloration. Choose a color that complements the style and architecture of your building or home while also considering the climate and weather conditions.
Quality:
High-quality paints are often more durable and provide better protection than lower-quality paints. Look for paints that are specifically formulated for exterior use and have a high resistance to fading, chalking, peeling, and cracking.
Budget:
Finally, consider your budget when choosing a paint. High-quality paints can be more expensive, but they often provide better value in the long run by lasting longer and requiring fewer touch-ups. Consider your long-term maintenance costs when choosing a paint.
What about color choice
Choosing the right paint color for your home can be a fun and creative process, but it can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you choose the right color:
- The style of your home can be a good guide when choosing a paint color. For example, a Victorian home might look best in a pastel shade, while a modern home might look great in a bold, bright color.
- Consider the colors of your surroundings, such as the landscaping and neighboring homes. You want to choose a paint color that complements and enhances the surrounding environment.
- Before making a final decision, purchase paint swatches and test them out on your home. View the swatches in different lighting conditions to see how they look in natural light.
- When choosing a color palette, follow the 60-30-10 rule. This means that 60% of the color should be the dominant color (usually the body of the house), 30% should be the secondary color (usually the trim), and 10% should be the accent color (usually the front door).
Is there a specific exterior paint color for a specific home style?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it can vary depending on personal preferences and regional styles. However, here are some general guidelines for popular architectural styles and the colors that often complement them:
Colonial:
Colonial-style homes often look best in classic, neutral colors like white, beige, or gray. These colors help to highlight the symmetry and simplicity of the design.
Victorian:
Victorian homes known for their ornate details and often look great in bold, vibrant colors like red, blue, or green. These colors help to highlight the intricate details of the architecture.
Craftsman:
Craftsman-style homes often look great in earthy, natural colors like olive green, brown, or rust. These colors help to highlight the natural materials used in the design, such as wood and stone.
Modern:
Modern homes often look great in bold, monochromatic colors like black, white, or gray. These colors help to highlight the clean lines and simplicity of the design.
Mediterranean:
Mediterranean-style homes often look great in warm, earthy colors like terracotta, beige, or gold. These colors help to highlight the warmth and richness of the design.
Who says exterior paint colors says front door paint colors
Your front door is an important focal point of your home, so choosing the right color is crucial. Here are some tips for choosing the right front door color:
- Choose a color that complements the architecture and style of your home. For example, a traditional home might look best with a classic color like black or red, while a modern home might look great with a bold color like turquoise or yellow.
- Also, look to your surroundings for inspiration. Consider the colors of your landscaping, neighboring homes, and natural elements in your area.
- The color of your front door can create a certain mood or feeling. For example, a bright yellow door can create a cheerful, welcoming vibe, while a deep navy blue can create a more formal, sophisticated feel.
- Make sure the color of your front door complements the color of your home’s exterior. Consider creating contrast by choosing a color that is different from the main color of your home.
- Finally, before making a decision, test out different colors on a small area of your front door to see how they look in natural light. This can help you choose the perfect color for your front door.
Let’s talk brands
There are many quality exterior paint brands available on the market. Some of the best exterior paint brands include:
Sherwin-Williams: Known for its high-quality and long-lasting paint, Sherwin-Williams offers a wide range of exterior paint options in a variety of finishes and colors.
Benjamin Moore: Another popular choice, Benjamin Moore offers a range of exterior paint options that are resistant to fading and chalking. They also offer a range of environmentally friendly options.
Behr: Behr is known for its durable and long-lasting exterior paint options. They offer a range of finishes and colors that are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling.
Valspar: Valspar is a popular choice for its fade-resistant and weather-resistant exterior paint options. They offer a range of finishes, including satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
PPG Paints: PPG Paints offers a range of exterior paint options that are resistant to fading, chalking, and cracking. They also offer a range of environmentally friendly options.
PS: when choosing an exterior paint brand, it’s important to consider factors such as durability, weather resistance, and color options. You should also read reviews and check for any warranties or guarantees offered by the brand. Ultimately, the best exterior paint brand for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
As always, we look for trends
When it comes to exterior painting, using the right colors instantly adds a unique touch to the facade. Moreover, it can accentuate the beauty of your landscape. So, let’s talk about the trend of recent years.
Yellow
Yellow is a color that will continue to amaze us with its unique ability to brighten any interior or exterior. It is not only implemented in fashion, but also in small decorative objects. So it will be hard to go wrong if you decide to bet on shades like mustard yellow or butter yellow.
Green in all its shades
Maybe you already know this, but earth tones are extremely in vogue, not just browns, but greens as well. Earthy green works especially well as an accent color, but it can also be used to paint the entire facade. In general, earth tones are subtle and relaxing, and blend well with any local landscape. Therefore, they are appropriate for a new home and for an older home as well. Shades to choose from according to the trends: turquoise, sage green, mint and gray-green.
Beige – a delicate shade that brings luxury
Beige is a neutral color with a touch of warmth that makes it a favorite choice for most homeowners. A beige facade is hard to beat! It’s a subtle shade that makes your home look bigger. In addition, it will accentuate your door and window shutters. This makes beige ideal for a two-tone combination with brown or any other earth tone.
White and cream exterior paint color
Simple and minimalist, white is a timeless facade color. It stays in trend over time because of its versatile nature. Appropriate for a contemporary, Provencal or Mediterranean home, white brings a nice contrast to your windows, door and even the flower garden. If you live in a more or less polluted area (e.g. downtown), it will be better to replace white with cream or ivory.
If you think that white exterior paint is too bold a choice, you can also opt for white moldings that will draw attention to the clean and defined lines they create. The result is truly magnificent!
The blue that makes us dream
Depending on where you live and what you want to achieve, there are several shades of blue to choose from:
Slate blue is quiet and looks great with dark wood details. This color is perfect for a homeowner who wants to show a little personality without straying too far from the traditional base colors.
Navy blue is still a great option for your home front. It works well for coastal bungalows, historic cottages and contemporary homes.
Choosing a blue-gray gives your home more warmth and whimsy than a typical gray.
No matter what the style of the home, a shade of colonial blue or deep blue is both classic and timeless. In combination with the warm glow of the exterior lights, the facade transforms into a real dream home.
Red for the most daring people
Different shades of red are often part of rustic style exterior designs, but they also work well with the facade of an Alsatian house. A lighter colored exterior will go well with some touches of burgundy, and likewise – white shutters will complement a dark red exterior.
Black and the different shades of grey
More and more often, we see facades in deep, dark shades like intense gray and black. Yes, it is surprising, but these colors also have their advantages. They can be used as an accent on the facade or as the main color. Black is definitely a bold choice that will set you apart from your neighbors.
Pastel colors
If you are looking to visually expand your space, avoid dark colors and favor pastel colors. They will bring a unique and ultra-trendy appeal to your home just like the facades of Notting hill. On a beach house or downtown, this is a paint idea that will easily refresh your outdoor space. For maximum results, combine two colors from the range by painting the door and windowsills.
