DESIGNING THOUGHTS AND TRENDS
b y J e r r y S t a n l e y , O w n e r & D e s i g n C o n s u l t a n t
What Should You Consider in Exterior
Paint Color Selections?
Paint Color Selections?
Historic Home Exterior Paint Colors
It's important that the exterior of your home captures who you are as an individual, couple or family. Your personality may best be captured in bright, vibrant colors. Or your personal tastes could tend toward a more neutral, natural and subdued color palette. Though your choice in exterior paint colors should be a reflection of those that live there, there are other factors to consider. How do these choices affect the people who pass by and the forces of nature who live around it? And what about the durability and maintenance of a brightly colored exterior versus one lighter and more subdued in shade?
One of the first things to consider is how bugs, birds and insects interact with color. Bugs are attracted to bright colors that fall into the UV spectrum. Why? Pests and bugs look for colors that mimic the food that they like to eat. For example, brighter colors such as yellow and orange replicate flowers. Bugs flock towards flowers for food; therefore, they will do the same to your home if the outside is bright. Most bugs stay away from greens and blues. Blue is also commonly known to keep stinging insects away. This makes blue a prominent color for porch ceilings to prevent wasps and other flying insects from building nests there. Mosquitos, on the other hand, love darker colors; therefore, white or light-colored paint will be a better deterrent for these bugs.
One of the first things to consider is how bugs, birds and insects interact with color. Bugs are attracted to bright colors that fall into the UV spectrum. Why? Pests and bugs look for colors that mimic the food that they like to eat. For example, brighter colors such as yellow and orange replicate flowers. Bugs flock towards flowers for food; therefore, they will do the same to your home if the outside is bright. Most bugs stay away from greens and blues. Blue is also commonly known to keep stinging insects away. This makes blue a prominent color for porch ceilings to prevent wasps and other flying insects from building nests there. Mosquitos, on the other hand, love darker colors; therefore, white or light-colored paint will be a better deterrent for these bugs.
Modern Home Exterior Paint Colors
Even though birds aren’t as annoying as bugs, they can still cause a great deal of damage to your home’s siding, roof, and fascia. Like bugs, birds are captivated by colors that reflect their food choices. Birds like berries, which means they also like bright colors. Greys and browns can also be appealing for birds that like to build nests because they like being hidden away and safe. (Thanks to Noel Changing Paint for much of the information regarding bugs, birds, insects and color).
The choice of the type and quality of paint used is critical as you look toward maintaining your home's exterior. Even when using the industry's finest, bright colors will tend to fade and require touch-ups or repainting more rapidly.
The choice of the type and quality of paint used is critical as you look toward maintaining your home's exterior. Even when using the industry's finest, bright colors will tend to fade and require touch-ups or repainting more rapidly.
Traditional Home Exterior Paint Colors
Finally, location has a great deal to do with color selection. When you go into older and more historic neighborhoods, brightly colored homes are quite common. It would certainly be appropriate to make a bolder color choice in such a locale. However, as you move into the suburbs and newer construction, bright colors would certainly be the exception rather than the rule. In most cases, you don't want your color choices to move far outside the neighborhood norm. This is especially true as you consider the resale value of your home.
So, as you pick exterior colors, look at all factors, including what reflects and appeals to you!