There are a few different ways everyone chooses paint for their exterior. Some forego it entirely to rely on the natural shades the building has. Old school brickwork or high-quality paneling doesn’t need paint to enhance its looks.
But sometimes it’s not all about looks. The color of a building does more to up its curb appeal or enhance its resale value. Paint plays a role in heating and cooling as well. The right shade of paint can make an old home look new, or give a business a recognizable pop to set it apart.
Picking wrong makes a building ugly, and no one will want anything to do with it. So consider the following when thinking about a new look for your place:
Heating and Cooling
Light, brighter shades are good at reflecting light, which keeps a building cool. Darker shades and colors trap light in, which increases heat. Consider your environment and weather so your fresh coat of paint doesn’t end up increasing the heat too much.
Architecture
Some building styles are thought up and designed with specific color palettes in mind. Don’t turn an old-style colonial home into a bubblegum colored art piece. Keep colors muted and natural for homes designed with muted, natural environments. Making your house stand out is a very different kind of work from making a house that stands out too much.
Planning
When scoping out where paint should go, there will be more difficult areas than others. Smaller partitions of siding that are farmed unevenly or high off the ground should come first, as they will be harder places to paint. You also can’t really take off shingles or window frames to paint the walls. Plan around elements that are fixed in place or hard to work with.
Test it Out
For exterior painting, you’ll get one good shot. There’s a lot of surface to cover, and unlike an interior job, everyone will see it before it’s done. Try samples of paint and apply them to a spot that will be exposed to the most varying weather. That way you’ll get to see how it looks at all times of day and in all types of light. Try more than one, and when you’re settled on what looks best, get enough to put a stable coating across the whole building.
More Than One
Paint comes in layers, but those layers aren’t all meant to be the exact same color. When choosing a primary color for repainting, choose various shades for different parts of the project. Accent shades should be brighter. This is what makes doors and other smaller parts stand out. Trim color is for the trim around said windows or the frame of the house. Painting everything one flat uniform color is the wrong kind of stand-out.
First appearances speak for a lot with a house or business. Pick the right balance between efficiency and effectiveness when it comes to giving your home color.
Contact Todd Huff Construction Inc. today! The best general contractor in Ventura county with over 30+ years of home building experience.