New siding is exciting! It is a way to completely change the look of your home and amp up your curb appeal. We want to help you make the best choice for your home.
There are a few things you should consider before choosing siding colors for your home.
The Climate
Southern homes tend to have lighter colors due to the heat and sun. As for Minnesota, our northern homes stick to more neutral colors. A bright yellow home might be a bit too much for your eyes during the snowy season. Try to pick a color that will work with every season and that won’t be too overpowering at any point.
Common siding colors for Minnesota homes include gray, blue, and white.
Style of Your Home
Some home styles commonly stick to one exterior color, while other styles allow for multiple colors.
A few common home styles and color themes:
- Cape Cod – You can have fun with accents like window shutters
- Craftsman – Allows for a lot of natural colors with trim, brick, and stone
- Contemporary – Usually sticks to one or two colors
- Mediterranean – Not very common in Minnesota, sticks to lighter colors
- Prairie – Sticks to one color, but has lots of windows and organic patterns
- Ranch – Often has one color, with a complimentary trim color
- Cottage – Tends to have brighter exterior colors
Your Neighborhood
Pay attention to the siding and roof color combinations of homes in your neighborhood. Are there any colors you like? You may want your home to stand out in the neighborhood, but don’t make it an eyesore! Try to keep your color in the ballpark of the other homes. Some neighborhoods have rules about home color, so make sure to check before you change the color of your home.
Testing Your Paint Color
Whatever color you choose, make sure it looks good in every light. You may hate how light the color of your home is when the sun hits it. Take a look at your color swatches throughout the day, for several days.
Complimentary Colors
Complimentary colors can add some extra pizzazz to your home. Trim, doors, windows and railings are often painted complimentary colors. You can get super creative with complimentary colors, like the house pictured to the left. It is a lovely example of complimentary siding types and colors.
Color of Your Roof
The color of your roof plays a huge role in your exterior color choice. A more neutral colored roof can match an array of colors, while a darker roof is often softened with a lighter siding color. How much your roof stands out is up to you.
Your Landscaping Style
Your landscape plays a role in your siding color choice as well. The bright yellow house mentioned earlier might not look the best with huge evergreen trees. A large brown house might fit that landscape better. If you have a very colorful landscape think about a color that will compliment it.
Size of Your Home
Swatches are small and your home is big! A color might look lighter or darker when applied to a home. Keep this in mind when you pick your color. Darker colors might be too intense on a larger scale. Lighter colors might not be intense enough. If you have the ability to create a bigger paint test area, you should certainly do it.
