Are you ready to paint your home exterior? Great! New paint will not only freshen up your home, it will increase its resale value and curb appeal should you ever decide to sell it. Now you just have to choose: Which color?
Here’s part one of House Painting of Colorado’s guide to choosing exterior paint for your home. Look forward to more tips in the coming days!
Match the Neighborhood
You’ll want to work with your environment. Consider the other neighboring houses. A color that either blends in or stands out in a subtly is your best choice. A whimsical combination of crimson paint with neon green trim may look lovely in an artsy neighborhood but will be quite overwhelming in a conservative suburb.
The place you live will guide your choice. If your house will absorb the bright sun for most of the day, darker colors can fade quickly. Blue and yellow in particular are sensitive to light exposure. A house fenced in by big trees may get lost in the shade if it is painted in dark colors.
Wander your neighborhood and take photos to collect color inspiration. When you find an especially appealing house, ask the homeowner what they did to achieve the effect. If you notice an impressive house in a magazine, clip it to bring to the paint store. A good store will be able to determine the right match to your picture.
Light vs. Dark
It’s important to know that pale colors create the illusion of occupying more space while dark colors will seem to compact. Light colors tend to make your house seem larger while darker tones will give your home the impression of being smaller yet more substantial. If your house is far from the curb, painting it a light color will appear bring it forward. Lighter colors on a porch go a long way towards making a home feel more approachable.
Be careful when choosing vivid shades like red or deep blue, as they will lighten substantially over time. Also, darker shades may result in increased maintenance. They will more readily absorb heat and moisture and because dark paint fades over time, it is difficult to touch up.
That’s it for today! Come back tomorrow for more tips on choosing exterior paint and call at 800-381-4601 for any questions or to receive a free estimate.
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