How to Choose the Right Exterior Paint Colors

Choosing exterior paints in terms of color, texture and finishes are endless. It is attest to be a daunting task for homeowners to make the right choice. Keep your eyes open when you’re out and about for ideas to find out some great exterior house paint ideas that will boost the look of your home. The right paint and color exterior of your home can make a big impact on its value. It can prolong the life of the exterior and protect your home from weather damage as well as increase curb appeal and it does express your personal style.

What to Look for When Choosing Exterior Paints

If you have an older property, most people like to stick to tradition so, if you’re planning to paint an older home, you’ll probably want to use a historically accurate color scheme. One way is to send off paint chips to your local paint experts and ask them to recreate the original color. Or, just refer to historic color charts and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built or try to go modern, the house next door can give you paint color ideas, but don’t copy your neighbor exactly. Choose combinations that set your house apart, without clashing with nearby buildings. You can choose from color schemes like monochromatic, analogous or the use of warm and cool colors. Moreover, The Craftsman style of the early 20th Century sported a darker, earthier color scheme using deep browns, greens, and reds. The current popularity of the style is making more homeowners consider richer color schemes for their homes.

Go Darker or Light?

There are 2 clear rules to abide by. 1. Use light colors to add size. Light colors make a building look larger, grand estates are often painted white for this reason. Increase your home’s sense of size and dignity by using white or a pale cream color. 2. Use dark colors to add drama. Dark edging bands will make your house seem smaller, but will draw attention to details. Darker shades are best for accenting recesses, while lighter tones will highlight details that project from the wall surface.

Choose a Paint Sheen

You thought you only had to pick colors? Sorry, in addition, you’ll also have to decide on the sheen of your paint.

Flat finish: Flat finish paints add a very clean and elegant look to the exterior walls. Such paints do not have any shine or gloss and when applied to the walls give effect like the outer cover of an egg shell. Light does not reflect through such paints and the walls painted with this emulsion finish are cleanable. The durability and longevity element of this paint is the highest amongst most of the paint finishes presently available.

Satin finish: Satin finishes have a hint of shine in them, comparatively lesser than gloss finish. You can paint the entire exterior surface using this finish and manage to get an appealing look for your abode. These paints attract low amount of dirt and dust which makes them easy to clean too. From pressure water washing to dusting to harmful sun rays these exterior paints can take it all.