Gorgeous siding makes your home pop with pizzazz and earns you the envy of your neighbors. It also protects your home from moisture damage, pest infiltration and more. So, it’s no surprise that so many homeowners in the Chicago area choose luxurious, enduring James Hardie® siding.
Your choices don’t end with the brand though, because the colors and design styles you invest in can level up your home even more, providing you years of enjoyment. And Hardie siding installed by Siding and Windows Group gives you so many options, you’re sure to find just the right combination to fit your personality and preferences.
To get you started on your decision-making, we’ve pulled together the top siding trends for this year.
Colors that Provide Strong Curb Appeal
Classic shades like white with black accents are as in as ever, of course. But why not play a little with your options? These looks are fresh and contemporary, and they promise to age well too.
Modern Earth Tones
Look to nature for inspiration, and choose calming, familiar color combinations that provide a warm sense of being grounded. Earth tones that match the look of river rocks, wooded areas, and soothing lakes are refreshing and appealing.
Create a soothing palette by blending colors such as Deep Ocean, Timber Bark and Mountain Sage. These natural greens, browns, and blues are popular and appropriate in just about any neighborhood.
Warm Grays
A recent trend that is clearly continuing into this year is the use of gray tones to add a crisp, sophisticated look to Chicago area homes. It’s also a color choice that can work well on just about any style of architecture, which makes it highly versatile.
The twist is that the move this year is away from cool grays and toward warmer shades like Aged Pewter. Lighter and darker shades of warm gray are both in, especially when used as your main siding color.
Dramatic Dark Colors
Homeowners seeking a super-modern look should definitely consider going dark with their Hardie siding. Deep, rich maroon, burgundy, navy blue, charcoal, forest green, and dark brown are all making a splash.
And if you’re really feeling bold, give some serious thought to going really dark—as in black—because black home exteriors are striking and guaranteed to get you noticed. Some of the most popular dark tones right now include Iron Gray, Black Ash, Black Water, and Jet Black.
High Contrast Palette
Liven up a classic white-and-black exterior with a unique approach to how you combine these shades. A popular way to do this is to make the lower part of your home the darker color, such as black or gray, and use white on the second story.
Another option is to go with the darker color on the portions of the exterior that are closer to the curb, and use white for the inset areas. Either way, your siding will catch the eye and look impressive.
Personalized Color Schemes
Not seeing your ideal palette or favorite tones listed here? No problem—because Hardie siding can be customized to get you the exact look you desire to achieve. Get the siding pre-primed to be painted any shade you like, or get durable ColorPlus®, baked-on finish warrantied for 15 years.
Narrow down your choices to the most popular in Chicago with Hardie’s Statement Collection™, or pick from over 700 colors in the Dream Collection™. The possibilities are practically endless.
Siding Designs to Make Your Home Stand Out
Color isn’t the only way to create an eye-catching home. The siding style you choose also adds personality—and Hardie siding comes in numerous looks that can be mixed and matched to create unique designs you’ll love. Here are some ideas that are super popular this year.
Emphasis on Textures
Gone are the days of applying the same old siding to a home. Mixing and matching styles and textures is a great way to give your home a unique look. With James Hardie’s High-End Aspyre Collection, your options are even greater.
Consider using textured Hardie siding to add visual interest to specific areas of the exterior—such as shingles on gables and around the entry door. Or opt for the dramatic Farmhouse style of board-and-batten siding to create depth and dimension.
Blends of Modern and Traditional Styles
Another desirable trend these days is finding ways to cleverly combine traditional design elements with contemporary styles for a look that is unique and personalized. The modern Farmhouse is a well-known example of this, but Modern Tudors and Modern Cottages that mix and match classic elements with Hardie siding colors and styles are really standing out this year.
Form and Function Never Go Out of Style
Keep in mind that a strong, attractive, durable home exterior will always be desirable. Choosing upgrades designed to stand the tests of time as well as wear and tear is a smart way to add curb appeal and value.
That’s what makes Hardie siding such a popular choice. It’s warrantied for 30 years, but often lasts 50 years or more, especially when properly installed by an Elite Preferred Contractor like us. We provide top-notch workmanship, so you can rely on your new home siding for decades.
Make Use of Hardie’s Visualizer Tool to Pick the Ideal Style
Want to picture how a specific siding style or color palette appears on your home? Use the James Hardie Visualizer Tool to play with ideas.
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Our team is well versed in what works on Chicago area homes. We’d love to brainstorm with you as you select your perfect siding and trim color combinations and style designs.
Love Your Siding—and Love Your Home
As you plan your home exterior remodeling project, let yourself dream a little and play with creative looks until you find the perfect one for your dwelling. Browse our gallery of Hardie siding renovations to see how we can transform your property with a look that fits your specific architecture and lasts for decades.
