How to tackle painting the exterior of your home…

As the weather turns nicer, the home renovation spark starts to fire up. Painting the exterior of your home can make a big impact, and preserve the exterior of your home, protecting it from the elements of Mother Nature.

What colors?

This is the hardest part – picking the colors. It is important to remember these are colors to balance with your neighbors exteriors, your outside environment and to carry through the style of your home. First take a look at the color of your roof shingles and if you have any brick or stone to coordinate with your paint colors. You should also confirm any restrictions your neighborhood may have and if you have an HOA, you may need to consult with them as well. Now head to your local paint store and start with their exterior paint brochure recommendations. They will have schemes put together for you and you can draw inspiration from those to start. Gray and neutral colors are trending, but navy blue and white are also popular. If you want to accent with a bright color, the front door and shutters are a great way to add a pop of color to go along with a neutral scheme.

Most paint schemes will have 3 colors: body, trim and accent. Pick a couple colors to get samples of, and if the weather allows, put the paint right on the body of your house in a big area up to 3 feet x 3 feet, so you can really get a feel for the color. Paint the sample in a couple different spots on your house so you can look at the color in different lights and at different times of the day. If your unsure about painting directly on your exterior, you can always do some poster board samples, and tape the samples up on your home.

Should the exterior paint match the architectural style of my home?

Another factor in determining a paint color is the style of house you own. If you own a ”painted lady” (as shown below) or victorian house, you can play up the architectural details and have a little more fun with color. We are seeing a trend of exterior brick being painted as well. Many red brick homes are going light or even white, making a big transformation.

Farmhouse style calls for a very neutral color scheme with accents of fun on the front door or shutters. Art and Craft style homes can also have some interesting details as well. If you have a covered porch, the ceiling of the porch can also coordinate with the front door or trim.

Who should I use to paint my home?

A good experienced local paint company will give you a free estimate, explain their process, and various warranties they offer. A local favorite is, VIVAX, a Colorado company that offers several various warranties from 6, 9 to 14 years. They will come back and do free touch ups, big or small, every year if requested, included with your warranty.

How long will it take?

Length of time for a painting project depends on a few factors: weather, size of your house and if you are covering a darker color with a lighter color, etc. Expect 7 full days from start to finish, but again this could stretch longer depending on other factors.

Take your time with big decisions such as painting your home, as you need to enjoy coming home for a long time.

Brought to you by Meg Sebastian Evans, Owner of Meg Sebastian Interior Design.

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