When it comes to choosing replacement siding for your home, color is a critical element because it‘s really the first thing people notice about the home. Almost all siding manufacturers, whether for vinyl, fiberglass, fiber cement, or composite wood, offer different color combinations to cater to different tastes. So how will you choose siding color?
Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style
One of the first things to think about is your home’s architectural style. For example, a Cape Cod-style home may look best with subtle colors, while a Victorian mansion can pull off more dramatic colors. Start by taking a look at your neighborhood and seeing what other homeowners are doing as far as color. There’s no need to be a copycat but if you live in a subdivision where everyone’s exterior is a neutral shade, you’ll probably want to avoid going too bold or too bright. This is especially true in areas where the houses are close together because you want your home to be in harmony with the neighborhood. In other words, you want to stand out, not look out of place.
However, that’s not to say pops of color can’t be used, especially when highlighting architectural details such as doors and shutters. Callen recommends using three colors on your house. Your main color will be the siding. If you have brick or stonework as part of the façade, you’ll want to make sure the color will blend in with or complement your siding. All aluminum trim (gutters, downspouts, soffits and fascia, windows, and doors) should match or complement each other. An accent color can be used for the shutters or the front door.
Apps & Online Tools Can Help
There are apps and web-based programs that enable you to see a preview of how your home would look with different colors and different siding sizes. Mastic has a free Home Exterior Visualizer app that allows you to make different color combinations. Some websites offer stock house pictures you can select from that are similar to yours and you can use it to play with the color. Other websites allow you to download a photo of your home and photoshop the image so you can see how various products look on it. Another resource is Houzz, where there are thousands of ideas for home exteriors.
Other Tips
- There seems to be a trend occurring where contemporary and modern houses go with dark trim, but most houses look better with a lighter trim color that will brighten up and frame the house. In addition, some homes have bump-outs around their windows and many homeowners want to eliminate this. Instead, Callen exterior product specialists recommend accenting it with color or a stone façade. Make it a focal point because that’s what it was meant to be.
- When choosing a siding color, take into account what will work best for your geographic region. While you may love taking a winter getaway to the desert or the beach, a home that’s terra cotta or sea green may not be the best choice for your climate.
- While some siding materials allow you to custom paint, Callen recommends going with factory-applied color. It’s more durable and sustainable and is also guaranteed/warranted.
- Siding can also be used to break up the long lines of a house and accent other architectural features. For example, a really tall house might have shake siding on the gables, horizontal siding on the bottom, and be framed with bandboard as a separation between the two styles.
Schedule a Free Siding Estimate
When choosing siding, homeowners generally fall into one of three categories: those who continue with the same color and style; those who want to change their home’s appearance slightly by bringing some color to the shutters or door or maybe adding some stonework; and those who use more than one siding profile along with bold colors.
Which type are you? Whether you’re basic or bold, Callen can help you choose an exterior siding product that will make you proud of your home! If you need help deciding what works best for your home, the siding experts at Callen Construction can help. Call Callen today at 414-765-2585 or contact us online.
