Replacing or upgrading the vinyl siding on your home affects resale value in a major way, depending on the current state of your property. Worn, aged or broken siding detracts from curb appeal, significantly decreasing the perceived and actual value of the house. New vinyl siding, on the other hand, has several advantages to both the current and potential owners.

Insulation and Protection

Heat loss and critter damage are vital issues on homes with damaged siding.

A properly finished home provides insulation to create a more comfortable living space without taxing the heating and cooling equipment. When your existing siding cracks or splits, air and moisture have a direct path into the framing, often resulting in drafts and rapid deterioration of the building materials within the walls.

Cracking in the siding panels also provides a place for small critters and insects to enter your home, often looking for a warm place to build a nest or find food. Whether the breakage resulted from storm damage or some other problem, leaving these splits and holes is like hanging out a vacancy sign and inviting unwanted guests inside your home.

Replace broken vinyl siding with new panels and trim to cover holes and bring your insulation back up to the ideal level. This provides potential buyers with more confidence in the living conditions.

Upgrading or replacing the vinyl siding on older homes also presents an opportunity to beef up the insulation underneath. Research the existing standards for new home construction and consider upgrading your older home to meet those standards. This project makes your property more competitive with newer homes on the market and enhances the energy efficiency of the interior living space.

Appearance

Modern vinyl siding comes in a broad range of colors and profiles. Improve the look of your home by choosing an appealing style of siding and add upgrades with quality trim and accessories.

Real estate professionals agree that new siding and new windows are two important factors for a quick sale at full value. Personal tastes and lifestyles often dictate the interior decorating and layout, whereas exterior finishes tend to be more neutral. Opt for an attractive style of siding that fits in with the homes in your neighborhood and you’ll draw more potential buyers.

Vinyl siding can also be used in combination with other types of exterior finishes, like stucco, brick and natural stone. It costs less and does not detract from the overall appearance. Consider replacing the siding portions to give your property a fresh, modern look, and think about adding architectural features like vinyl trim and shutters to dress up an otherwise plain house.

Vinyl siding is an affordable way to finish the exterior of your house. It enhances the appearance of your home and provides the opportunity to upgrade insulation and protect the home’s interior from pest damage. Older homes can compete against new builds with a relatively small investment by the original owner, attracting a higher resale price and often resulting in a quicker sale.

Gutters play an important in your home’s design. Properly functioning gutters direct water away from the exterior walls, windows, doors and foundation, preventing water problems inside the house. Although cleaning the gutters will help to enhance operation, broken or worn gutters need to be repaired or replaced in order to protect your living space and retain property value.

How do you know when or if you need new gutters? Watch out for these five signs and closely monitor the condition of this essential exterior element.

# 1 – Visible Cracking and Splitting

Gutters come in sections and joints are covered with sleeves to ensure a seamless path for rainwater. Cracks or splits in the joints may be solved with new fittings or minor repairs, depending on the scope of the damage. However, older gutters will split along the channels, resulting in spillage and an interruption of flow.

Even tiny cracks can become major problems over the course of a season. Make note of any smaller cracks or shorter splits, and monitor for changes. Often the swinging temperatures of early spring and late autumn will spell disaster for cracked or split gutters, and small infractions grow to large gaps in a matter of days.

# 2 – Standing Water

If you discover standing water or puddles along the foundation, look up. Broken gutters cannot direct water away from the immediate area and spillage collects in unusual places, often draining away after a day or two. But remember that this water needs to drain away from your house, to avoid basement water problems and flooding in window wells or around patio doors.

You may notice standing water around the base of your downspout, which can be corrected with the installation of a dry well or by adding an extension to move water beyond that area.

# 3 – Peeling Paint

Painted areas below and beside gutters and downspouts will often peel or flake away when exposed to an inordinate amount of water. Broken gutters result in spillage and overflow, and that water deteriorates paint rapidly, causing peeling.

Watch for patches of peeled paint on siding, trim, decks and patio furniture near the gutters. Without immediate repairs to the paint and gutters, that area will soon rot and decay, resulting in expensive repairs.

# 4 – Mildew and Excessive Organic Growth

Organics thrive when rainwater is left standing in a clogged gutter. Critters will often set up a home nearby this convenient fresh water source, and those organics and pests soon create trouble for your house. If you spot mildew on the walls or patio or around windows, doors and trim, inspect the closest gutter for clogging and blockage. This could be a result of build up in the gutters, easily solved with a thorough cleaning, but it may also be caused by warped gutters, broken clips and cracked channels.

Rust stains are another sign of gutter breakdown, and often show up on the grass or patio around the downspout. This reddish stain indicates corrosion within your gutters. If you detect mildew, organic growth or rust stains in the area, schedule a thorough inspection.

# 5 – Rotted Shingles

Keep a close eye on the outer edge of your roof. Clogging and blockage triggers a back up of rain water in your gutters, causing shingles along the outer rim of your roof to rot. Watch for these shingles to curl and disintegrate much quicker than the balance of your roof. And pay attention to any areas where the shingle deterioration rate seems especially fast.

With a keen eye and the right knowledge, you can discover when you need new gutters. Watch for these signs and call your contractor right away, should something indicate a problem with your gutters.

Efficiency is a top priority these days, with utility bills climbing and environmental concerns mounting. Homeowners wonder whether vinyl siding presents a good option, high on energy efficiency and low on maintenance. Take a good look at the characteristics of this building material to uncover the answer.

 Keeping Your House Warm

Vinyl siding is manufactured in two layers—capstock and substrate. Titanium dioxide is used in the capstock to protect against fading and wear from UV rays, while the substrate includes limestone for durability and strength.

This dual layer construction helps to block the passage of heat from both sides. Manufactured in lighter tones and colors, vinyl siding deflects the sun’s heat in summer and blocks cold winds in winter. When partnered with insulation and interior finishing (drywall), this product keeps your living space comfortable in all seasons.

Using insulated vinyl siding may drastically improve the energy efficiency of an older home, while installing standard vinyl siding onto a new build helps to maintain peak levels of efficiency.

Vinyl siding is also significantly cheaper than other exterior finishing materials, such as fiber cement siding and brick. Although brick and heavier siding materials may provide a thicker heat barrier, modern designs have resulted in strong and durable vinyl siding that helps to protect your home in any weather.

Keeping Your House Dry

Extremely resistant to all types of weather, vinyl siding works to maintain the proper level of dryness inside your home. Hard rain, snow and hail cannot penetrate the siding barrier, which protects your insulation, framing and all other interior building materials from harmful conditions like mold, mildew and rot.

Replacing or adding to old insulation without taking care of the outer siding layer will do little for energy efficiency. Keeping moisture away from the insulating layer makes this system work. Consider replacing aged wood siding or crumbling brick with modern vinyl siding products, designed to keep your home dry.

Keeping Your Home Maintenance Low

Vinyl siding is also virtually maintenance free. Simply give the siding a thorough wash down with your garden hose and it will appear good as new. This low maintenance design reduces the use of potentially harmful chemicals like stain or paint.

This building material performs consistently without worry. Even after years of use, vinyl and insulated vinyl siding maintain the same level of protection.

Keeping the Environment Clean

Vinyl siding can be expected to last for at least 20 years, with thicker varieties guaranteed for much longer. The lifetime of vinyl allows for less waste due to replacement.

Vinyl siding repairs can be completed with minimal waste, as the panel design allows for the replacement of smaller pieces and components. If storm damage has made dents, cracks and splitting in your vinyl siding, an expert siding installer can quickly and efficiently replace those broken sections, getting your home back to normal in no time.

Are you worried about rising heating and cooling bills or deciding which type of exterior finish to use on your new home? Vinyl siding is designed to keep your home warm and dry, and offers a low maintenance, long-term solution for any climate. Combined with quality insulation and expertly installed, vinyl siding can improve energy efficiency and help to create a more comfortable, attractive home.

If you or someone you know is in the market for upgrading your siding to vinyl siding, call Revived Exteriors to schedule a no obligation consultation.  Check out some of our before and after pictures of vinyl siding on our Facebook Page.

Your Home?

Storms have shaped the east coast this fall, and continue to fill the forecast with strong winds and hail. Have you checked your home for hail damage and do you know the signs to look out for? Hail damage can leave your house vulnerable to serious issues. Without a prompt response and expert repair, hail will severely reduce the value of your property and possibly lower the quality of daily living.

Act Quickly

Ignoring hail damage is a bad idea for two reasons:

• Damage Worsens - Roof and siding damage caused by hailstones gets worse over time, as deterioration sets in and important features of your home becomes less and less reliable.
• Opportunities Expire - Insurance companies place limitations on hail damage claims, meaning that you need to inspect for damage and contact the insurance agent right away in order to file a valid claim.

Homeowners can protect their property and get the most from their insurance coverage by acting quickly after a storm. The longer you wait to tackle hail damage to your roof or siding, the greater risk of loss.

Repairing the hail damage becomes necessary should you desire to sell your property. A battered appearance will shrink the value of your home, and the need for immediate repairs drives buyers away. Living in a home with hail damage is also dangerous, as shingle damage and siding damage can escalate into something worse and end up costing homeowners a fortune in repair bills.

How to Get Repairs Done Right

With the right tools and a close up view, the average homeowner can identify hail damage locations. But the untrained eye cannot accurately assess an entire house, and the services of an expert are required to get repairs done properly.

Hire a contractor to inspect your roof and siding, as well as trim, chimney and other areas of your home that may have been damaged by hailstones.

Contact your insurance agency right away, and have the information provided by your contractor close at hand. You may also need to provide proof of insurance and/or licenses for the contractor, so be sure to ask for those at the inspection.

Hiring the right contractor will ensure your hail damage is repaired properly, on time and on budget. Look for the following characteristics:

• Established company – not a start up, inexperienced and risky
• Local company – not an out-of-state firm that chases storms to cash in on repair needs
• Solid and straightforward warranty – steer clear of contractors that will not provide proof of warranty
• High rating with local Better Business Bureau and industry associations – with a reputation for customer service

Hail damage reduces the quality of your roof and siding and could result in a 25 percent drop in property value. Check for damage right after a storm and call a local, established contractor for an inspection. Act fast to protect your property and get your claim in within the insurance company’s limitations. Call Revived Exteriors today to book an inspection.

Why Do You Need to Install Attic Vents?

Well designed roofing must include attic vents to ensure peak efficiency in your home. Without attic vents you can expect the roof deck and roofing to deteriorate much sooner, costing a significant amount of money for repairs and replacement. How do attic vents perform, and what types provide the best value for the average American home? Take a closer look at this small roofing element and find out why you need to include attic vents in your home.

How an Attic Vent Works

Roof vents play a vital role in both cooling and heating your home, enhancing efficiency throughout the entire year. Many people know that roof vents help to release hot air trapped in your attic during the warm summer months. This helps to reduce cooling costs, but also helps to avoid roof deck damage due to high levels of humidity in the attic space.

Roof vents are also crucial in the winter months, keeping this space dry and reducing the risk of ice dams on the roof. Ice dams damage shingles and can easily trigger roof leaks. Vents allow your roofing materials to last longer by maintaining a dry, moderate atmosphere in your attic space.

Attic vents maintain air circulation in that area, releasing hot air and moisture and replacing it with fresh, dry air. Consistent temperatures and proper air circulation allow your heating and cooling systems to perform at peak levels, lasting longer and costing less.

Different Types of Attic Vents

Metal vents offer the most affordable option for attic venting. These static forms provide somewhat adequate ventilation, but only in a limited area. Several vents are required to cover most attic spaces, which increases the chance of leakage. Unless budget is the most important factor, choose another type of attic vent for optimum performance.

Turbine vents are also made of metal and provide limited coverage. However the movement of an internal turbine results in greater airflow throughout your attic space. Better than stationary metal vents, turbine vents deliver mid-range performance at an affordable cost. Multiple vents need to be installed in a standard attic.

Power fan vents take the turbine design one step forward, but require energy to run. Some power fan vents operate with thermostat controls, which eliminate the benefits of attic vents in winter. While this type of roof vent covers more space than turbine vents, the energy required and control limitations make it a poor choice.

Ridge vents provide the optimum amount of coverage in an efficient manner. Installed along the ridge or peak of your roof line, this type of attic vent takes advantage of warm air’s natural movement. Combined with under-eave or soffit vents, ridge vents allow for maximum air movement without using any energy. Because of their unobtrusive design and location, ridge vents do not disrupt the roof line and help to maintain an attractive facade on your house.

Intake vents such as soffit vents are often overlooked but equally important in the design of your roofing system.  This may include soffit vents, under eve vents, continuous soffit vents, vented drip edge vents, or continuous fascia vents.  The air intake area may be equal to or exceed the net free area installed in your roof system.   When heat rises and moves through the exhaust

vents at the peak of your roof, this natural occurrence pulls cooler are from the intake vents and should essentially balance the exhaust vents. 

Having the appropriate net free area of intake vents help reduce the amount of moisture and heat buildup which prolongs the life of your building materials, prevents the eves of your home from developing ice dams, and helps reduce the amount of time needed for your HVAC system to heat or cool your home which leads to lower energy bills.

In order to maintain peak efficiency and extend the life of your roof materials, experienced roofing contractors will recommend that you install attic vents or replace the existing vents. Metal and turbine vents perform fairly well, but ridge vents and continuous soffit vents remain the optimum choice for most homes. These small elements play a major role on the roof and in the attic, as well as helping to maintain a comfortable atmosphere around your home.

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Attic insulation provides a vital layer of protection between your home and the elements, working in conjunction with your roofing materials to create a comfortable living space. Inadequate attic insulation will drastically increase your heating and cooling bills, while too much insulation affects air flow.

What about the different types of attic insulation—is one better than the others? Should homeowners invest in fiberglass batting insulation or stick with blown in products? Each type has advantages and disadvantages, and the design of your home comes into play.

The Importance of Attic Insulation All Year Round

Insulation provides a barrier against the passage of heat in and out of your home. In the winter insulation works to keep heated air inside your home. An un-insulated or under-insulated attic space can result in the loss of up to 25% of your home energy. But having a well insulated attic is just as important in the summer months.

Roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles and metal roofing, attract heat from the sun, increasing interior attic temperatures to dangerous levels. That heat seeps into your house, straining the cooling system and decreasing your comfort. This condition presents a major problem when air conditioning duct work runs through the attic, warming up that cooled air before it even reaches your living space.

Attic Insulation and Storage

Many people use their attic for storage, keeping unused or seasonal items out of the way. Inadequate insulation may result in damaged boxes, mold growth and rotten items. Organics, such as paper, wood and clothing, are highly susceptible to damage in the hot, moist environment that results from poor attic insulation.

The Best Type of Attic Insulation

Choose between batting insulation, available in wide strips that fit between the ceiling joists to provide good coverage, or blown in products, made from fiberglass or cellulose materials and literally blown in to the space. Depending on your situation, one product may be better than the other.

Batting insulation can be easily installed and allows for a clean space, ideal for storage. The strips can be cut to fit and squeeze into tight space fairly well. Use batting to boost the existing insulation by laying the strips perpendicular to each other. This type is also easy to remove and replace, should your roof leak in the future.

Blown in insulation products offer excellent coverage, fitting into even the smallest gaps and spaces. The installation process is fast and efficient, although you may not be able to store items in the attic due to the loose nature of this product. Blown in products are a wise choice when adding attic insulation.

Find out how much attic insulation is needed by using the Department of Energy’s Zip Code Insulation Program (link – http://www.ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html), an online form that takes climate and other factors into account when calculating the ideal amount of insulation.

Keep your living space comfortable and cozy throughout each season with quality attic insulation. This product boosts energy efficiency and may help to protect items stored in the attic area. Talk to your local contractor about adding or replacing your attic insulation to enhance home comfort and efficiency.

New Exterior Doors Improve Property Value and Peace of Mind

Homeowners in the Chicago area value a secure and comfortable home. Installing new exterior doors on your Chicago home will improve property value, increase peace of mind and create greater levels of comfort and security for your family. How can a door do all of that? With quality design, precise manufacturing and expert installation.

New Exterior Doors Boost Curb Appeal

Changing your existing door (or doors) for a newer model is similar to changing your outfit – it can provide a whole new look. New exterior door models include decorative window inserts, attractive wood grain patterns and classic panel profiles. Include a transom window or sidelights for higher levels of natural light inside your home. Replacing a traditional storm door with a modern screen door is another popular project.
Upgrading your exterior door is an affordable home improvement that boosts curb appeal and dresses up the house. Add style and an upscale atmosphere with a new door or set of doors. Choose the color, profile and accents you prefer to create the ideal entrance for your home.

New Exterior Doors Provide Greater Strength and Security

Today’s door products have enhanced designs targeting strength and security. Quality steel and fiberglass doors come with better locking capabilities, including steel channels and a layered design to resist warping and excessive force. Hardwood doors require regular maintenance, but provide a solid, highly durable barrier that can be fitted with the latest locking mechanisms.
A well made, properly installed exterior door discourages burglars. Older, flimsier doors make easy targets and allow would-be thieves to gain entry quickly. Invest in your family’s security by upgrading your existing entrance, side or garage man-door with good quality products that include enhanced strength and security features.
New Exterior Doors Improve the Building Envelope
Improved insulation is another benefit of exterior door replacement in Chicago homes. Energy efficient doors act as a heat barrier, keeping in the cool during summer and blocking heat from escaping over the winter. In spring and fall, a well made door helps to protect your home from wind and other harsh weather conditions.
Doors play a major role in your building envelope, and must complement the exterior finish, windows and roofing in order to offer optimum protection and insulation value. Think about the door panel design as well as any windows incorporated into the door, and be sure to invest in a product with insulation value and maximum durability.

What to Consider in an Exterior Door

Think about these three vital factors when shopping for a new door:

* Appearance – it must suit your home’s architecture, and fit within your personal tastes.
* Durability – including the insulation value, strength and security features.
* Maintenance – hardwood doors must be stained or painted on a regular basis, but scratches and marks can be easily fixed, while steel and fiberglass replacement doors are low maintenance, but more difficult to repair when damaged.

Weigh your options and compare products in order to chose the best exterior door for your Chicago area home. This home improvement project will add curb appeal, enhance security and improve energy efficiency. Talk to your local contractor about all of the benefits new exterior doors can offer your family.

How Can Hail Storms Damage My Vinyl Siding?

Hail storms can damage your roof, gutters, vents and air conditioner units. But hail storm damage to vinyl siding may be difficult to detect without knowing what to look for. Insurance companies often need to differentiate between mechanical damage and hail damage, and homeowners need to be familiar with the evidence of hail related damage.

Two Common Types of Hail Storm Damage to Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding generally stands up well against severe weather. Lightweight and designed to withstand UV rays and extreme wind, vinyl siding can crack or chip when large, dense or fast-falling hailstones hit the panels.

Details of this damage includes:

• Cracks – siding panels crack in arched patterns, most often in unsupported sections between the ridge and valley.
• Chips – chips occur on the bottom of vinyl siding panels and can be seen best when viewing the panel from below.

These two types of siding damage are generally accepted as hail related, while other nicks, marks, gouges and breakage can result from mechanical incidents like grass cutting (rocks or pebbles fly up from the mower, hitting the vinyl siding with excessive force).

Is My Vinyl Siding Vulnerable?

Besides the size, density and speed of hailstones, there are certain factors that leave your vinyl siding more vulnerable to damage. You can control some of these factors and regular maintenance or inspections may alert you to potential risk, but your siding remains at the mercy of recurring storms.

These three factors affect the risk level for hail related siding damage:

• Quality of the Siding – higher grade siding products, made in thicker profiles and with heavy-duty vinyl construction, are less prone to hail damage. Siding ranges in thickness from 0.35 to 0.55mm, and different manufacturers offer varying levels of quality in terms of the materials used.
• Age of the Siding – siding becomes brittle over time, and that level of brittleness leaves siding vulnerable to small, rapidly falling hailstones.
• Condition of the Siding – even high quality siding deteriorates due to UV ray exposure and all that nature throws at it. Walls that face south tend to absorb the majority of harmful exposure and may be more vulnerable than other sections.

Extensive interior damage may result from cracks or chips in your vinyl siding. Leaving the plywood, framing and insulation exposed to moisture can introduce mold and mildew, which results in expensive and upsetting repair bills in the future. Chips also allow pests to enter your home and any sort of siding damage creates an unsightly appearance for your property.

Be Clear on Your Insurance Coverage

Just as discussed when considering hail damaged asphalt shingles, you need to find out the extent of coverage regarding vinyl siding hail damage on your existing insurance policy.

In some cases an insurance company will pay to replace the siding on your entire home. In other cases, and more frequently, your coverage only extends to the damaged sections or damaged wall. Find this out beforehand and inquire about coverage additions if your existing policy is inadequate.

Be sure to hire only reputable, local companies for siding damage repairs. These firms offer solid customer service and proven experience, everything you need to repair hail storm damage to vinyl siding.

Have you experienced storm damage to your siding?  What did you do about it? Did it work?

Shingles and shakes can get damaged from heavy hail storms, resulting in water leaks and interior damage. But how severe must the storms be to inflict significant damage and what can homeowners do to avoid costly repairs?

Gauging the Potential Danger

Hail ranges in size from tiny pebbles to massive chunks as large as oranges and softballs. In order for a
hail storm to inflict significant damage on the average asphalt shingled roof the hail stones should be about the size of a golf ball. Depending on the density and shape, smaller stones can also dent and destroy your roof. Hail that falls with considerable speed is also powerful enough to damage shingles.

Most major hail storms consist of larger stones that can easily punch holes in asphalt shingles of any age. And it seems like storms are growing in intensity every year.

Three Types of Damage

Hailstones wreck asphalt shingles in three different ways. The first problem creates leaks almost immediately, while the other two will present a significant problem several months after the storm.

Look for the following signs to determine how hailstones have damaged your asphalt shingles:

• Immediate Damage to the Top Layer of the Shingle – larger, sharp hailstones can tear into the upper layer of your asphalt shingles, ripping off the protection and allowing water to penetrate through to your roof deck.
• Cracked Shingle Mat – fast falling or dense hailstones can actually crack the mat of your asphalt shingles, which inevitably results in water leakage. The damage is not visible from a distance; small crescent-shaped black lines will appear upon close inspection.
• Shingle Bruising – small hailstones can bruise the upper layer of your shingles, pushing asphalt granules down into the shingle. With exposure to rain and UV rays, those granules will rapidly disappear and the shingle will deteriorate beyond repair. Leaks appear about six to twelve months after shingle bruising.

What Can Homeowners Do to Avoid Roof Damage During Hail Storms?

It’s difficult to predict the weather, and you cannot adequately protect your roof from extreme weather like hail or severe winds. The best way to avoid hail damage is by keeping your roof in good condition.

Have a contractor inspect the shingles on a regular basis, and take care of any repairs promptly and professionally. Pay attention to any evidence of moisture inside your home as well.

Invest in high quality architectural asphalt shingles when replacing your roof. These thicker products are denser and provide greater protection against top layer damage, cracked mats and shingle bruising. A good quality shingle costs more initially, but will save you time and hassles later on.

Talk to your insurance company about the extent of coverage in your current policy. Storms often result in multiple claims around your area, and some companies can be difficult to deal with. Be clear on what type of coverage you currently have against hail damage. If necessary, upgrade your policy now before any damage has been done.

Hail storms can cause significant and costly damage to asphalt shingles, resulting in roof leaks and expensive repairs. Keep your roof in peak condition, invest in quality products and have the roof inspected if you suspect hail damage. Nature can deal a heavy blow to your asphalt shingle roof with hail stones of various shapes and sizes.

How Do You Choose the Best Siding Color?

Siding protects and insulates your home from the elements. But the ideal siding also creates an attractive exterior finish that improves curb appeal and increases the value of your home. Choosing the best siding color involves much more than picking your favorite – you will need to consider several factors including product quality, trim, architecture and the dominant style of your neighborhood.

Invest in Quality Siding Products

Avoid cheap siding – no matter what colors, profiles or combinations offered. Inexpensive product lines contain less pure vinyl than quality brands, resulting in more cracking and fading. Ask your contractor to recommend a few brands that offer the quality you need at the price you can afford, and then browse color selections and profiles available in those product lines.

High quality siding also retains that ideal color for the long term, without any need to paint or stain. Simply wash your dirty siding with soap and water to restore the surface to a beautiful shine.

Think About Trim

The overall appearance of your home is a combination of siding and trim, along with windows, doors and roofing. Ask about the trim available when choosing the best siding color; this may help you make a better decision for curb appeal.

Trim can be in a contrasting color, but many homes look good with trim in a few shades lighter or darker than the main siding color. Dark siding should have lighter trim, while light siding looks best with darker trim.

Trim is installed around the windows and doors, at the corners and on any finishing edges. Some trim adds to the architectural details, such as gingerbread trim in gables or dentil trim along the roof-line and on overhangs.

Stick With the Home Style

Colonial homes look best in colors that were popular in that era. Other home styles include Victorian, Ranch style and contemporary or modern homes. Each of these styles includes a range of suitable colors that complement the shape and architecture.

Browsing through paint swatches at your local paint store is an easy way to find period hues and tones. These swatches usually have descriptive names to direct you and may already be organized into periods for simple sorting.

Find the collection that best suits the style of your home and choose your favorite colors. Bring those to the siding retailer or contractor to search for a matching siding color. This method allows you to choose siding colors that ensure continuity and remain true to your home’s original style.

How Your Neighborhood Plays Into the Selection of Your Siding Color

Consider the other colors used on your street, on your block and in the wider neighborhood. You may want to stand out in some way, but avoid installing a siding color that highlights your house in an unappealing light when compared to homes nearby.

For instance, if you live in a coastal area full of pastel shades and white trim, avoid the more sedate, darker colors. Colonial neighborhoods favor bold shades with traditional trim in complementary colors, although you may get away with a contrasting scheme.

Your home needs to express your tastes and style, but clashing with the houses next door will only serve to devalue your property in the long run.

Ask your siding installer for recommendations on high quality siding brands in appealing colors. Choose your favorite based on the above criteria and your home will be finished beautifully.