Choosing Exterior House Colors: Fixed Finishes, Sun, Fading and HOA Palettes

Exterior colors start with what you are not changing: the roof, brick, stone, windows and the neighborhood's HOA palette. Choose paint colors that work with those, then test them large, outside, in full sun.

Start With Fixed Finishes

Roof shingles, brick, stone veneer, vinyl windows and gutters are expensive to change. Pull a color from them or choose one that sits comfortably beside them. A warm brown roof works with warm body colors; a gray or black roof works with cooler ones.

Body, Trim and Accent

Most houses use three colors:

• Body: siding, the largest area.
• Trim: fascia, corner boards, window casings and soffits, often white or off-white.
• Accent: front door and shutters, where bolder color is easiest to live with.

Sun and Fading

Deep and bright colors fade faster on south and west walls. Lighter, muted colors age more gracefully in full sun. On vinyl, very dark colors can warp the siding unless the paint maker lists them as vinyl-safe.

HOA Palettes

Most subdivisions around Matthews have architectural guidelines, and some have approved palettes by house or street. Many do not allow neighboring houses to be the same color. Read the guidelines before you fall in love with a color.

Test Outside

Paint large samples on the sunny and shaded sides, and look from the street at different times of day. Exterior colors look lighter outside than on the chip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What color lasts longest outside?

Lighter, less saturated colors show fading least.

Should trim be white?

White or off-white is classic and makes the body color pop, but darker trim on a light house is common too.

Can I paint my house the same color as my neighbor's?

Many HOAs do not allow identical colors on adjacent homes. Check your guidelines.

How do I know if a color is allowed?

Look for the approved palette or submit colors to the architectural committee.

Picking Exterior Colors?

We help put together the color list and HOA submission. See exterior painting or contact us.