| The most common error I see in choosing exterior | | | | painting the brick. You will still have the texture of |
| house color is choosing a color that is too light. The | | | | the brick, but you won't be stuck to the same color, |
| sun will wash out colors outside, so choosing a light | | | | which date many, many homes. Of course, if you |
| subtle color will end up looking like white. When | | | | live in a Frank Lloyd Wright mission style brick home, |
| choosing colors, keep in mind that they usually need | | | | don't paint it! But most of our homes are not so |
| to be more grey or brown than you think. For | | | | inspired. Painting the brick can really lighten up a |
| example, a grey with a tint of green in it will appear | | | | dark and dreary house. Consult a good paint store |
| more green than you usually think when painted on | | | | when painting brick to be sure to get compatible |
| the entire house. If you choose a color and can say | | | | products. |
| 'now that's green', you've probably choosen too | | | | Accent Colors: |
| 'green of a green'. The primary exception to this | | | | This is a place where you can afford to be a little |
| rule would be in more tropical locations such as Florida | | | | riskier because generally accent colors are limited to |
| or other areas where a lighter color is desired to | | | | a smaller area. Sometimes I compare this to a |
| keep a house cooler. Here is whenpastel and | | | | woman who puts on makeup: the accent color is like |
| brighter colors can work well. | | | | putting on finishing touches of mascara, lipstick and |
| If you are having trouble choosing trim and siding | | | | eyeliner. But you don't want it to look cheap!! You |
| colors, keep them related to each other, like a cream | | | | know what too much makeup does to a woman. |
| trim and a darker beige on the same paint chip strip. | | | | The same goes for a house. |
| Then add in an accent color like a deep eggplant | | | | How to Choose Roof Colors |
| color. | | | | When the roof of a house is visible, it can be a very |
| How to Choose Window Colors | | | | imporant element. Choosing the wrong color roof is |
| Many homes have vinyl windows which will usually be | | | | a very costly mistake so it's important to understand |
| white. Painting white vinyl with a dark paint can be | | | | some general rules. When choosing the roof, |
| disastrous because of the expansion of the vinyl in | | | | consider what color the house is going to be painted |
| sunlight. The dark color will cause the vinyl to expand | | | | (or if it is brick or stone, consider the general tone of |
| even more than normal, leading to paint and possibly | | | | the material). If the house is being painted warmer |
| window failure. If you have trim around a white | | | | colors, then a brown roof will be the right choice. If |
| vinyl window, it often works best to paint that trim | | | | the house will be cooler colors (like greys, blues or |
| white too. That will tend to make the vinyl | | | | greens), then a dark grey roof will likely be the best |
| windows blend in more, and look more like a | | | | choice. If you have to decide on a roof color first, |
| traditional wood window. | | | | one of the most common and versitile choices is a |
| If you are choosing new windows and you want to | | | | dark grey color. If your house used to have wood |
| paint your house a darker color, consider choosing a | | | | shake shingles and you are replacing it with a |
| window that is cream or almond color. A bright | | | | composition shingle, most manufacturers make a dark |
| white window on a dark color house will generally | | | | brown color that is similar to shake colors. If you are |
| have contrast too much. If you choose cream or | | | | installing a metal roof, consider colors other than the |
| almond windows, and paint the trim a coordinating | | | | traditional dark green, which works well on buildings |
| color, it will work better with the darker paint | | | | with log siding, but not too much else. Again, |
| scheme. There are a few manufacturers that | | | | choose a color that will allow you some flexibility in |
| product a grey vinyl which can work well with a | | | | your house paint color choices. |
| more modern house or a house with metal siding, or | | | | Choosing colors can be really challenging. Remember, |
| even brick. Generally I don't recommend white vinyl | | | | don't choose from a little paint chip! Even |
| on brick sided homes, unless the house is very | | | | professionals have large sample boards painted (or |
| traditional. Choosing a grey or almond window will | | | | paint directly on the house). Purchase a quart of a |
| almost always look better. If you have the budget | | | | few colors of paint and look at your samples in |
| for wood or metal clad windows, then you'll have | | | | different light and on different sides of your house. |
| many more color choices, and the mid-tone to darker | | | | Color can change dramatically in different light, so put |
| colors often look better with brick. | | | | in the time to choose the right colors. When you do |
| Tips when Painting Brick | | | | the results can be an amazing transformation. |
| Just because you have a brick home, don't rule out | | | | |