Choosing siding for your home is a fashionable as well as a functional choice. Your siding will help protect your home from the elements and will provide aesthetic appeal from the curb. There are several types of siding to choose from, as well as a color. Deciding on the best siding color for your home comes down to several factors as well as your personal aesthetic preferences.
The following are some of the best factors to consider when deciding on a new siding color for your home. Think of these as guidelines and not firm rules; ultimately you get to decide what to do with your home as long as you’re not violating any homeowners’ association rules or other applicable laws in your area.
Think about the rest of your neighborhood
While you don’t want to directly copy other homes in your area, you can take a drive through the neighborhood and draw inspiration from other homes nearby. Some homeowners may wish to blend in with surrounding homes while others might prefer to stand out. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference but drawing inspiration from other homes similar to your own can be a great place to start when you’re choosing new siding.
Are you building new or updating an existing home?
If you’re replacing the siding on an existing home, then it’s typically a good idea to choose a new siding color that’s similar to the old one, or at least the same level of brightness, unless you want to go for something completely different. If you’re building a brand-new home, you have a bit more creative leeway in most cases. However, keep in mind that there is no rule against completely changing things up if you’re tired of the existing siding on your home and want to go for something entirely new.
Consider the other surfaces and fixtures of your home
Ideally you want to blend the various colors of your home’s exterior into a cohesive palette. Think about the color of your roof, shutters, windows, front door, and other surfaces around your home. You should also think about whether your home has a foundational wall made of brick or stone. Blending your siding color choice into these elements is a good idea, but you can also open the door to reimagining the colors of various other surfaces of your home’s exterior. However, if your home’s exterior has any brick surfaces, it’s a good idea to choose a siding color that matches.
Understand how color and brightness work with the light
Using color effectively can help mute aspects of your home’s exterior that you want to deemphasize or draw attention to details that would otherwise remain hidden. It’s also a good idea to know what your chosen siding color will look like in different types of light during different times of the day. You could purchase swatches and hang them up outside and then evaluate them throughout the day, so you have a rough idea of how they’ll look at different times.
Choose a set of colors for your exterior
If you’re updating your home’s siding, you don’t necessarily need to pick a color that matches the other colors on your home’s exterior, if you’re willing to update the whole exterior palette at once. Look at the railings, windows, shutters, and other fixtures on your home’s exterior. It’s usually a good idea to pick one bolder color for things like railings and window trim to create a bright focal point, and then choose another color that’s similar to your siding color but a shade or two darker for your front door and window shutters. Consider how shingle and siding colors work together.
Think about your landscaping
While you might not think about your yard much when trying to decide on a color for your siding, this is actually an important consideration. For example, if you want something brightly colored and unconventional, it may not look quite right on a very plain and conservative landscape.
Consider the size of your home
Color brightness and size play off one another in interesting ways. For example, if you go with a darker shade on a very large home, it can make the house look gloomy and imposing. On the other end of the spectrum, lighter colors may prevent smaller houses from popping in pleasing ways. Try to choose a shade that suits the size of your house.
The siding on your home can be one of its most attractive features, if you take your time to choose one that suits your home’s layout, architecture, and placement in your neighborhood. Think of these considerations as guidelines, because ultimately you need to choose a siding color that works for your personal taste. If you’re having trouble deciding on the right siding color for your home, the team at Mr. Roof can help. We have extensive experience with siding as well as roofing, so contact us for an estimate on the work you want to do to your home.
