In the past, owning a house meant having to apply a new coat of paint to it every few years. Even with aluminum siding, which was introduced a few decades ago, a painted veneer was the only choice people had to give the exterior of their homes a makeover.
However, all that has changed now with the advent of a new type of finish - vinyl siding. While giving your house a great makeover, vinyl siding will protect it from being damaged by water and other environmental elements. Plus, it is very easy to clean, requiring only a pressure washer. Strong, durable, and neat, vinyl siding is available in a wide range of colors and prices.
You can get them in reds, browns, creams, greens and blues. Each color will add a distinctive touch to your home. Generally, a lighter and brighter vinyl siding color will add warmth to your house, while also making it look larger, whereas a darker hue will tend to diminish the size of the house, although it may add a unique touch to it. However, creams and light browns are some of the most popular in vinyl siding colors.
Previously, with the choices limited to pastel or whites shades of paints, it used to be quite easy to decide upon a color. But now, with such a wide variety of colors to choose from in vinyl siding, it can often be a daunting task to decide which would be the most suitable for your home. Hence, here are a few tips that you can take into consideration while choosing a vinyl siding color for your house.
How to Choose a Vinyl Siding Color
Don't let your house stand out from the other homes in your neighborhood. Even though you may want to give your home a unique look, it is advisable not to go overboard about it by choosing colors like neon yellow or bright pink. On the contrary, look for vinyl siding colors that blend in with the other houses on your block.
Choose a shade that belongs to a related category. For instance, if the houses that are on either side have a neutral shade of paint or siding, it is better to choose a similar tone in your vinyl siding, perhaps deviating by just a few darker or lighter shades. While going beyond that might make your house stand out, it may not do so in a positive way.
Use complementary colors to coordinate. So, if you have chosen a gray colored vinyl siding, it is advisable to use deep red or black for your window shutters instead of a lighter color, which will give your home a faded look. Alternatively, if you use a cream colored vinyl siding combined with cerulean-blue window shutters, perhaps you could use a deeper blue shade on your window box.
Your deck or porch should match your house. It is a good idea to use neutral shades of paint on your deck or porch, either to contrast or blend in with the color of your vinyl siding. However, avoid shades that contrast too sharply, for that will have a jarring effect. A natural wood finish is very popular too, so check that out.
Coordinate the color of your vinyl siding with the outlying structures. In order to achieve a coordinating effect, it is advisable to use the same color of vinyl siding for the other outbuildings on your property like your doghouse, barn, shed, or freestanding garage. Of course, whether this can be possible will depend largely on the style of these structures as well as your budget.
Accentuate appropriately. In case you choose a neutral shade of vinyl siding to cover the exterior of your home, adding brightly colored furniture or nameplates in the porch would create an interesting touch. If the vinyl siding is light in color, use more subtle accentuating colors. In general, avoid blending too many of the various shades you use by way of your vinyl siding, porch accessories, accentuating colors, and outbuildings.
Determining Vinyl Siding Costs
Apart from the color, you also have to take into consideration the vinyl siding prices, which can vary according to the color, style, and brand. The new vertical vinyl siding that has come into the market recently is one of the most expensive types. They are exactly the same as the usual horizontal vinyl siding, except that they are easier to clean. This why it is a little more expensive.
When shopping for vinyl siding, it is a good idea to compare the costs before choosing the style and the color. There are several websites on the internet where you can actually calculate how much it will cost you to install a vinyl siding according to the square foot area that needs to be covered as well as the prices of the various brands that are available.
Beautifying the exterior of your home with a vinyl siding is a great opportunity to give it a completely new makeover. Check out the color charts and talk about the look you have in mind with the sales assistant at the store you're planning to purchase it from for more ideas about using vinyl siding to decorate your home with.
