New Faces: Changing the Exterior Look of Your House

By Karen Alley

First impressions are lasting ones, and of course the outside of your house is the first thing people see. How do you know when it’s time to freshen up the exterior of your house?

The type of project you are planning will dictate what materials you choose. A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to update your house, especially if you opt for a new color combination. If you’re looking to achieve lower maintenance, you might be interested in installing siding.

“When get ready to update the exterior of your home, make sure the colors or materials you choose blend in with the surroundings and your community,” says Clifton Means, a professional painter and business owner in Asheville, NC. This will not only give your house a sophisticated look, but it will also help it sell to a new owner.

A New Look with Paint
Right now the most popular exterior colors are earth tones. “People are mostly going with browns and tans,” Means says. For a three dimensional effect, pick a trim color in a darker tone than what you’re using for the main house, and then make that trim color a shade darker to paint the window casings. “Painting with three colors creates a shadowed effect that really adds some character to the house,” Means says.

If you have a brick house, pick a color for your trim that matches the color of the mortar. “Sometimes using a bright white trim will make the mortar look old and dirty, but getting a color that blends with it will really show off the house,” Means says.

New Options in Siding
When looking for a low maintenance option, many new siding materials can give your home a polished, sophisticated look. Here are a few of the most popular choices.

Vinyl Siding: After 40 years on the market, vinyl siding has improved tremendously in quality. Today, you can find vinyl siding in textures that look like real wood, with a wide variety of colors to choose from. Vinyl is it’s extremely durable and fade-resistant. It’s also one of the most affordable siding choices.

Fiber-Cement Siding: This product, which is a step up from vinyl, has the look of real wood but is termite- and water-resistant. It costs more than vinyl siding, but less than stucco or brick. Most brands are warranted up to 50 years. With this siding, you can choose to have the color applied in the factory, or it can be painted once it’s on your home.

Stucco: Stucco provides many advantages for its price. The material, which is plaster with a cement base, can have a pigment mixed in or it can be painted. Stucco can be used in remodeling, but professional installation is required. The final product becomes a fireproof, durable and seamless exterior siding for your house, with an annual hosing off the only required maintenance.

Brick Veneer: If you’d like to upgrade your house to the look of brick but aren’t ready for the investment, take a look at brick veneer. This material is not only more affordable than traditional brick, it’s thinner and lighter. And of course it’s another low-maintenance option. Be aware that it’s water-resistant but not waterproof.

With all the choices available, there are plenty of exciting ways to update the look of your house. Whether you’re considering a new paint combination or making the switch to a low-maintenance siding option, take the time to research your materials and make sure you’re investing in something that is right for you and your neighborhood.

New Faces: Changing the Exterior Look of Your House