Your home is where you feel safe and where family moments are made. It is also a place where homeowners can express their style and personality. Interior decor or exterior colors are often chosen based on those factors.
If you’re planning an exterior renovation, choosing the perfect color for the exterior of your home can be overwhelming. Siding is an appealing, functional, and durable material that gives a home outdoor style. Choosing the right color of siding and trim for your home is a matter of personal taste, practicality, and architectural elements.
What To Consider
Unlike interior colors, exterior hues can affect the entire street. In addition, several factors come into play such as landscaping, hardscaping, roofing, and more. Use these suggestions, along with the help of a professional, to choose a color scheme that works both for your style and for your home’s surroundings.
1. Personal Preference
Know your personal preferences when deciding on a siding color. If you like a warm cozy exterior, opt for siding colors in medium brown shades or beige. For a light and bright exterior design, choose white, pale yellow, or light tan siding.
2. Know Your Neighborhood
Getting to know the look and feel of your neighborhood is important. What are the design styles in your neighborhood? Drive through local neighborhoods to see color options that appeal to you.
3. Practicality
South-facing homes are susceptible to the maximum amount of sun exposure. If your house faces south, then choose light-colored siding. Especially if you don’t have trees to protect it. Install low-maintenance siding and a color that will not fade as much.
4. Architectural Elements and Style
Surfaces such as roof shingles, stonework, pathways, and driveways will remain in place. Take these into consideration when you select siding and trim colors. Coordinate siding and trim colors with exterior architectural features. If you have brick accents or a dark stone fireplace, choose a siding color that harmonizes with flecks of color in the brick or stone. Siding and trim colors should also complement outdoor shutters and garage styles.
Whether you have a Queen Anne Victorian, a Craftsman bungalow or a mid-century modern ranch, the color of your siding and trim should feel appropriate to the architectural style. For a Tudor-styled home, choose a light-colored siding such as white, beige, or tan. Contemporary homes have unique window shapes and pitched roofs that coordinate with modern light-colored siding.
If you live in a historical neighborhood, you will have to adhere to the color guidelines to keep your home aesthetically pleasing. If you’re not sure what to choose for your home’s style, work with a color consultant to help you come up with a siding and trim color combination.
5. Visual Effects
Think about how far your home is from the street and the landscaping around it. If it sits back from the road or is engulfed in large, towering trees, you might choose a lighter or brighter siding color so it stands out. A darker color can make it appear to recede.
6. Homeowners Associations
Check with your homeowner’s association (HOA) to see if there are any restrictions on the exterior color of your house. An HOA often restricts siding and trim colors to those that are neutral and match other homes in the neighborhood. If your siding options are limited by an HOA, check to see if you can use a contrasting color for your front door or garage door.
7. Use Exterior Design Tools
Making a big change to the exterior of your home and not being able to see it first can be scary. There are online exterior design tools to help you visualize what the colors will look like before you have the professionals come out.
A siding color simulator will help you select the perfect color for your siding. You simply upload a picture of your house and match it with the right siding color. This type of software will make it easy to design your next exterior house project.
Colors To Choose For Siding and Trim
Matching the trim color with the appropriate siding color can improve your home’s aesthetic value. The exterior color scheme of a house has three parts: the field color, which dominates; the accent color, which brings doors and other smaller areas to life; and the trim color, used for window casings, and roof edges. The trim color should contrast strongly with the siding color, however, some homeowners opt for a monochromatic color scheme that features only one or two colors.
Maintenance and Durability
Light-colored siding tends to show more dust and dirt, but high-pressure washing generally removes any surface discoloration. Medium color shades of siding tend to be practical and long-lasting.
Trim and Siding Color Combinations
If the siding is a dark color, consider classic white trim or another pale shade. A light siding color can look great with darker trim. It produces a dramatic effect. Your siding color must be on-trend particularly if you hope to sell your home soon. Trends come and go, however, some home designs last for several decades. For many years, homeowners have embraced certain tones and colors to create a classic exterior aesthetic.
Neutral Siding Colors
When it comes to exterior color combinations, classic colors never get old. Neutral colors can add depth to your home and gives you many options when it comes to accent and trims colors. White trim will add brightness to any siding color. White siding provides homes with a cozy and sophisticated feel. It is an ideal color for creating a subtle, classic home.
Blue
Blue is a popular color selection for homeowners. There are many shades to choose from which allows for many color combinations. Blue siding will make your home stand out from the rest. Combine a white trim to give your house a unique look.
Gray Siding or Trim
Gray can work as a great siding or trim color. Blue siding with gray trim is a popular combination. Gray also has many shades that make it versatile and a top siding color for 2021. You can lighten the appeal with a crisp white trim. Neutral grays work well with both warm and cool colors.
Colors of Nature
Colors used that are inspired by nature include green, brown, or beige. These siding colors pair well with a contrasting trim color such as yellow.
Red
If you want a rustic feel, then red is the color for you. This siding color is used for homes near barn areas and lakes. For maximum curb appeal and a pop of color, red will make your home the one to remember in the neighborhood.
Dark Colors
Looking to make a statement with your home exterior? Choose a dark, deep color to set yours apart from the rest. Combine that with black trim and a lighter accent shade for a stunning look.
Combine Mixed Materials
Can’t decide on one siding material for your home exterior? Nothing says you can’t choose multiple siding options. Mixed materials can bring a modern edge to any architectural design. Add dimension to your project by highlighting different areas through different material options.
James Hardie Siding
Siding improves curb appeal and increases your home’s aesthetic value. There are many different siding materials on the market, including vinyl, wood, and fiber cement. However, James Hardie Fiber Cement siding is among the most preferred siding options; it’s made from sustainable materials and lasts longer with little or no maintenance.
There are many colors available to coordinate with your home’s exterior color palette. Fiber cement siding gives the appearance of wood and comes in a variety of styles. It comes pre-painted and can significantly improve the curb appeal of your home. Fiber cement planks can also be made with no texture providing a smooth modern look. Some of the style options include:
- Shake and Curved Shake
- Vertical Plank
- Brick
- Stone
- Lap
- Wood Shingle
- Geometrics
Fiber cement siding is weighty enough that it takes professionals who’ve been trained to properly set the boards into place. It’s a two-man job to lift each board. This means you will be investing not just in the material but in the knowledge and experience of a company that knows how to correctly install James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Having the distinction of a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor means a lot. It shows that a contractor is committed to excellence. They've also completed training offered by James Hardie about general installation requirements of fiber cement siding. A preferred contractor ensures quality work and implements best practices.
The Siding Installation Experts
Whether you are remodeling your home to improve its curb appeal or increase its value after resale, selecting the right siding color will help you to achieve your goals. There’s no need to fear choosing the wrong colors. Let Banner Construction help with your exterior home design. We will assist you to choose the right color palette for your home. Contact us today for your next siding project.