One of the most satisfying ways to create curb appeal for your home is to choose eye-catching color combinations for your siding and trim. But how do you decide which color tones to choose? The range of options can seem overwhelming. And when you invest in a product such as James Hardie® siding, which can be infused with color in the factory before being installed, making a choice that you’re happy with becomes even more important.
That’s where finding the right siding contractor near Chicago can provide you with an advantage. At Siding & Windows Group, we believe in making sure homeowners receive original, creative, elegant home exterior products they can take pride in. As one of Chicagoland’s most experienced siding contractors, we want to help you choose the right siding and trim colors for your home.
So, we’ve put together this guide of what you need to know about choosing colors. If you’re planning to use James Hardie siding, you’ll be able to use their color visualization tool. But even if you opt for another siding or trim product, these color tips will help you.
Choose at Least Three Colors
A good home color rule of thumb to remember is the rule of threes. This means planning one color for your overall James Hardie siding color, a second color for the trim, and a third color for accents. Coordinating these three areas with three different shades helps your home pop with curb appeal.
Siding
Your siding color is your home’s dominant color, and it’s what people will notice most. So, it’s important to choose a color you like and that blends well with your home’s features, landscaping, and neighborhood.
Trim
White and off-white tones are the go-to choices for door and window frames, eaves, and roof edging. But dark shades can work too. Rich brown trim works nicely with yellow siding, while medium blue looks good with earth-toned siding.
Accents
Your accent color creates a bit of pop and pizzazz, so you’ll want to use it sparingly, in places where that splash of unexpected color draws the eye. A bold accent color for your front door can be a nice choice.
Decide on Warm Colors vs. Cool Colors
Shades in the red, orange, and yellow range are considered warm tones. These colors are invigorating and energizing, and they draw the eye. Some homeowners like using bold, warm tones for their overall James Hardie siding color, while others opt to use these colors for accents like shutters or doors.
Cool colors include tones in the green, blue, and purple range. These shades are calming, soothing, and relaxing. They make a great choice for the overall color of your siding.
Blend with Existing Features
Aim to create an overall color scheme that blends well with every aspect of your home. Look at aspects of your home that are not going to be changing, and choose shades that match those aspects to create a unified look.
Roof
Unless your roof is going to be replaced soon, it’s a smart idea to consider what siding colors will blend well with the roofing.
Stone and brick
Consider whether your home’s stone and brick features have warm undertones (beige, brown, yellow, orange) or cool undertones (grey, blue, black). Choose siding colors that match the warmth or coolness of these features.
Consider Neighborhood and Landscaping
To select siding colors and trim colors that make your home look stunning, take a look beyond your home to what surrounds it.
Natural environment
Think about the landscaping around your home. If you live in a desert area with a lot of stone hardscaping, you might want to choose a contrasting color so the house stands out. If you’re surrounded by woods, maybe a light siding color would help your home draw the eye. Your door might look great if painted the same color as the flowers in your flower beds.
Neighborhood style
Curb appeal is affected by how well your home looks in relation to your neighbors’ homes. While you don’t have to copy anyone’s exact color scheme, keep in mind that if you paint your home a drastically different color, it will stand out — and not always in a good way.
Homeowners association requirements
If your neighborhood is governed by a neighborhood association or HOA, there are likely rules about the shades you can use on your home. Check those documents for any restrictions, and discuss them with a siding contractor near you to learn more about your options.
Look for Siding and Trim Products that Give You Versatility
The specific siding and trim you install will also impact your color choices. Vinyl siding, for example, has a tendency to fade in sunlight over time, so a light color may weather better than darker colors.
Of course, when you’re considering siding replacement, an excellent option for long-lasting color is James Hardie siding. Hardie’s unique ColorPlus® Technology bakes lasting, rich color right into the fiber cement siding during its manufacture. As a result, the color lasts much longer than a coat of paint, giving you low-maintenance, and enduring beauty.
James Hardie replacement siding offers many advantages for homeowners, including longevity, strong return on investment, beautiful siding color, and resistance to pests, moisture, and fire. When installed properly by a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor such as Siding & Windows Group, you can expect accurate, precision workmanship that gives you the full benefits of the impressive James Hardie warranty.
Choose an Experienced Siding Contractor Near Chicago
When you’re ready to invest in lovely, lasting, top-performing James Hardie siding for your Illinois home, we’d love to help you choose the right siding design, color and details to fit your home’s unique needs. Contact us today to receive a free quote—and see your vision for your home come to life with beautiful siding and trim.