One of the great things about siding is that it adds style and character to any home. These days, homeowners can choose from more siding materials and colors than ever before. The right color can really make or break a home’s appearance, so before you set out to make your choice, keep the following guidelines in mind:
Know the trends
When it comes to the color of your siding, it’s a good idea to strike a balance between what catches your eye and what is generally popular. According to Ruben Jeruco of Jeruco Exteriors, one of the trendiest colors in siding today is cypress, a soft green shade that looks great on its own and tends to blend well with landscaping. Other popular colors include those that are neutral in nature; tan, gray, cream, and beige are all wise color choices for new siding.
Understand the effects of light versus dark
Lighter siding colors will add a degree of warmth to your house and make it look bigger than it actually is. Darker colors, on the other hand, will usually end up making a house look smaller. Before you make a decision, consider the effect that the siding color might have given the size and structure of your house.
Forget about the rainbow
Contrary to what some might think, siding is not automatically available in an array of colors. When it comes to vinyl siding, your choices are usually limited to a specific set of neutral tones unless you are really willing to spend extra on a custom or offbeat color. Fortunately, if the color you want isn’t available in vinyl, then you always have the option of installing wood siding and then painting it the color of your choice.
Look around the neighborhood
A good way to get an idea of which siding colors will look best on your home is to walk around the neighborhood and take note of similar houses. You’ll also want to make sure that your house reasonably matches the houses that surround it. While your siding should help your home stand out, it shouldn’t make it stick out like a sore thumb.
Don’t go too crazy with color
Ruben Jeruco likes to remind his customers that siding is supposed to increase the value of their homes and help add to their buyer appeal. A shocking blue or funky pink exterior might tickle your fancy, but think about it from a potential buyer’s perspective. If selling your home is a possibility at some point in the future, then you might want to adjust your taste to one with more universal appeal. You can always add a splash of color by incorporating unique shutters; or, better yet, surround your home with colorful flowers and keep the built-in stuff simple.
Siding installation is a great way to give your home a makeover, and the right color choice can really do wonders for your house’s exterior. Talk to your contractor if you’re having difficulty choosing a color. Chances are, he’ll be able to help you find the perfect shade to compliment the size, structure, and surroundings of your home.
