Changing the siding can be one of the best ways to upgrade your home’s exterior. Whether you’re thinking about replacing the siding or just giving your house a fresh coat of paint, you’ll have to decide whether to stick with the current color or switch things up.
Reasons to Change Your Siding’s Color
Often, homeowners choose a color that they love, but they encounter unforeseen problems after their siding is installed. When the sun moves throughout the day, the way a color appears can change. The color that you thought was ideal might look too light or too dark at certain times.
Light-colored siding can show dirt. You might have found yourself cleaning the siding more often than you anticipated.
Maybe you didn’t choose your home’s current color. Perhaps you bought the house because it was the perfect size and you loved the neighborhood, but you weren’t so crazy about the color that the previous owner selected.
Consider Your House’s Architectural Style
Your home’s design will heavily influence your color choice. A bright color can look out of place on a house with a traditional design. In that case, you’ll be better off with neutral-colored siding. If the roof is prominent, you can select siding in a contrasting color or go for a monochromatic look.
When you think about curb appeal, look at your property in its entirety. Consider the house’s architectural style, as well as the landscaping, and choose a siding color that will tie everything together.
Think About the Neighborhood as a Whole
People can’t control what their neighbors do with their homes, but when houses on the same street have colors that are similar or complementary, it gives the neighborhood a cohesive feel and makes it visually appealing. On the other hand, a house that sticks out like a sore thumb can sour relationships with neighbors and lower property values.
Your house doesn’t have to look exactly like your neighbors’, but it should fit in. When you’re selecting a color for your house, look at other nearby properties. Pay particular attention to houses that are similar to yours and see which colors work well with that type of architecture.
Explore All Your Options
If your siding is in good condition overall, but you’re just not thrilled with the color, you can revive it with a fresh coat of paint and select a new color that you prefer. If the siding is damaged or worn out, replacing it will probably be a better solution. You might be surprised by the vast array of colors and styles that are available.
You don’t necessarily have to change the siding. Another option is to keep the siding the way it is and simply repaint the trim. That can dramatically improve your home’s appearance and save you money.
