Blog: Contractor Chatter

Exterior paint selection – Picking a new color for your home

Making an exterior paint selection can be difficult, especially when you are picking a new color for your home.  Not to mention, the exterior part of your home is what greets the rest of the world.  So, set aside enough time to think about the color you want to use.  This will ensure your summertime exterior painting project will look beautiful when you’re done.

How the outside of your home is painted affects the entire look of the neighborhood.  Therefore, it can put a lot of pressure on you to choose the right palette. On top of that, a number of factors such as roofing and landscaping can affect your color choice.

Since this is the case, we wanted to share the following tips with you.  That way you will make the right color choice.

Types of paints

For exterior painting, you have two options: acrylic or oil-based paint.  For oil-based paints, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

• Oil-based paints are reputable because of their durability and resistance to water. They are preferred by many professional painters as they deliver a hard finish.  However, they can only be used on surfaces where oil-based paint had been used.
• You will be required to stir the paint frequently since the oil inside the point can separate easily.
• Use a brush that is specifically meant for use for these types of paint.

Alternatively, there are no special considerations to factor in when you are working with acrylic or latex (water-based) paints.  They are very easy to work.  Some have been made to be as long-lasting as oil-based paint.

How to choose paint and trim colors that match

Before you can choose the right color for your exterior paint job, you should test it using color selection cards or a color visualizer app before purchasing. The size of your home really needs to be considered as well because some paint colors simply do not look very good on such large surfaces, so keep that in mind when making a decision about the paint you pair with your desired trim color.  After you find some good color ideas, you can take photos of your walls using a color visualizer app.  Then, plug in a few of your color options to find the perfect color for your home.

Pro Tip:  Your main surface exterior paint should have a dominant field color and a lively trim color.

Once you have made a choice on the field and trim, you can kick things up a notch with a bold accent color that will make your home really stand out.

Palette examples

When you’re making a new exterior paint selection for your home, you should strive to make your home speak to your taste.  If you want a modern look, you may have to get out of your comfort zone a bit, so you will stand out in the crowd and have a home that pops on your block.  This is one why homeowners really get their homes bragged about these days.

Here are a few tips:

• Choose a bright color for your door.  The colors teal, red, white, and slate are very trendy right now.  However, the goal here is to make your main entry door pop with a bright accent color.
• Add some drama to your color palette by utilizing deep, warm color tones.
• Choose a monochromatic color palette. This makes your exterior home have a unique and elegant look.
• Use ocean hues. You can bring some hues from the beach to add up to your exterior paint to make your home look outstanding.

Gone are the days of bland, whites on beige with no other colors to spice things up.  Bright white will always look appealing on your exterior trim, but the body color needs to step it up if you are trying to get away from the dull look of the 70’s – 90’s.  On the other hand, you can still play it safe and stick to those old favorites in a natural colors.  Just don’t neglect the fact that a splash of vibrant color will go a long way in making your house look like an updated home.

Exterior Painting Specialists

In order to achieve an outstanding look for your home, you will have to plan on spending a little more giving it the TLC it deserves.  If you can choose between all your options to make your exterior paint selection, but you simply do not have the time to do the work yourself, keep High Tech Pacific Builders in mind for professional painting services.

If an exterior paint job is one of your summer goals, but you just can’t find any friends or family willing to get their hands dirty and help, contact the painting specialists at HTP Builders.  We know just what it takes to, not only, guide you though the paint selection process, but to finish a complete exterior paint project down to the details.  We won’t miss a drop.