Tips for Choosing Exterior Paints

The wide variety of paint colors for a home are most often associated with the interior, but Callen encourages homeowners to be creative with color when it comes to the exterior as well.

According to Brad Flannigan, exterior product specialist, a well thought out exterior paint scheme can personalize your home and make it stand out. “There are several components, including landscaping and hardscaping, that need to be considered when deciding on colors for the home’s exterior,” Brad said. “Color makes a first impression and can boost curb appeal and even resale value.”

Brad suggests the following guidelines to help select a color scheme that fits both your style and your home’s surroundings.

Plan around the hardest to change elements. “Unless you’re completing a total exterior renovation, surfaces such as stonework, pathways, and driveways will remain unchanged,” he said. “Take these areas of the home into consideration as you select exterior paint colors.”

Consider your home’s architectural style and era. Whether you have a Colonial, a ranch, a Craftsman, or a bungalow, the exterior paint colors should feel appropriate to the style. “Several paint manufacturers have collections of historically accurate colors, which can be a great resource, plus you can discuss options with professionals who specialize in exterior remodeling,” Brad said.

Contemplate the desired visual effect. Reflect on your home’s relationship to the street and the landscape. Does it sit back from the road or amid a cluster of large trees? You might choose a slightly lighter or brighter color so that it stands out. Conversely, a darker hue can make it appear to recede. Select a scheme that blends with the neighborhood or stands out in an inconspicuous fashion.

Choose three or more different paint shades. An exterior color scheme has three elements: field color, which dominates; accent color, which brings doors, shutters, and other smaller areas to life; and trim color, used for window and door casings, and railings. “Preferably, the trim color should clearly contrast with the field color. If your main hue is dark, consider a pale shade,” he said. “A light field color can look impressive with darker trim — it produces a fresh, striking effect. You can be bold with accent colors, but don’t go too far. A door painted a bright color can create a focal point, but using the same color on shutters and gables is likely too much.”

Determine color placement. A large home on a small lot painted a light color can make the house seem larger and the lot seem smaller, while dark colors can make a home look smaller but more substantial. “An effective tactic to color selection is use two tints from the same color strip a few shades apart,” Brad said. “Either the lighter or the darker shade could be used for the body and the opposite for the trim. A contrasting accent color could highlight the door.”

Never rely only on paint chips. Exterior shades can differ considerably from how they seem on the chip. “I suggest buying a quart of paint and test it on a discreet area. View it at different times of day, from different angles, and under different weather conditions,” Flannigan said. “This is the only way to conclude if you will be satisfied with the look.”

Not sure where to start? Brad said most paint brands offer preselected color palettes that show options for selecting an exterior paint scheme. “A professional can assist you in creating an arrangement that is unique and appealing.”

Callen’s exterior product specialists have plenty of exterior concepts for your ideal design. Call Callen, the leading remodeling company in Brookfield, for inspiration on how to get started.