Why think about color for the exterior of a home?

• Exterior of a home tells a story about its owners that continues on the inside.
• Homeowners are making fashion and energy efficiency changes that can make their existing homes “newer” to them. Colors help achieve this.
• Today’s marketplace has more colorful products that allow you to personalize your home
• And it can add to resale value of  any home

- TIP: Work from the top down: roof, siding, windows, doors

DaVinci Roofscapes is the leader in color choices for Roofs, and they use the F.R.E.S.H. approach

Think F.R.E.S.H. when selecting colors for all exterior elements:

• Fixed Features … what colors are found in the foundation, chimney, porch, steps, walkway. Look for shades of gray, colors in your bricks, wood tones.
• Regional Colors … West Coast? South? East? Midwest? Each region corresponds to colors in that geographic area based on housing styles, available materials, natural surrounds and the quality of light. Terra Cotta may work in the Arizona, but not in New Jersey.
• Environment and Surroundings — Pull color inspiration from your natural setting — waterfront, desert, mountain, rural community or downtown. Think shades of blues and grays for oceanfront and browns and greens for mountains.
• Style of the Home – Ranch? Tudor? Victorian? Traditional? Each house style has colors that naturally complement the design.
• Historic Colors – Certain historic areas require muted or more traditional colors on homes. Whites, browns, shades of blue and green are associated with these homes.

ROOF: DaVinci Roofscapes:

• Roofing colors should reflect a homeowner’s personal style.
• Roofing color blends (which include a mixture of 2 to 8 different colored tiles) help create a softer overall tone on the roof which can make it more appealing.
• By selecting a roofing blend with multiple colors, you can pick out different colors from the roof to use as accent colors for your shutters, trim and other home features.

DaVinci Roofscapes makes polymer slate and shake roofing tiles with a 50-year warranty.

• Tiles resist impact, hail, severe weather and fire.
• DaVinci offers 49 colors and 28 color blends.
• The colors are consistent throughout each piece.
• There is a Free DaVinci Color Design program available online and a national color expert on the team to help homeowners decide which roof colors work best for them.

Featured DaVinci Products:

• Vineyard Classic SLATE – 8 colors – Dark and Medium Tan, Light and Medium Gray, Dark Stone, Light and Dark Violet, and Dark Amber
• Autumn SHAKE – 4 colors – Light, Medium Light, Medium and Dark Autumn
• Milano BELLAFORTE – 4 colors – Light, Medium and Dark Gray, plus Dark Purple

For more information about adding color with DaVinci Roofscapes go to: http://www.davinciroofscapes.com/color-studio.php

Next, take a look at the siding on your home:

Re-siding a house can increase its curb appeal and value, and the right combination of colors can give your home a unique, distinct exterior that reflects your style and personality. But choosing the right color can feel like a daunting task.

James Hardie now offers its ColorPlus® Technology on most siding, trim and soffit. The finish is specially formulated by James Hardie and is applied in an environmentally-controlled factory that is free from dust, humidity, pollen, U.V. exposure and temperature changes. The result is a maximum durability coating with up to 30 percent better fade resistance than traditional paint. The technology is backed by a 15-year finish warranty.

ColorPlus is part of what makes James Hardie a worry-free option, along with its durability. The last thing you want is to choose a color and then over time it fades and cracks and doesn’t look good. With James Hardie you never have to worry about that. It is a lower-maintenance option than vinyl or other fiber cement siding. But what’s really great is that the ColorPlus selection simplifies the coordination of trim color with siding and has only colors that will look good on any home’s exterior.

• Color pro, Leslie Harrington, helped James Hardie has handpicked custom color combinations to ensure that your home’s siding will fit with the style of your home and your own personal taste.
• This palette gives you the peace of mind that when you make your choice, you won’t regret it. It’s not like you are standing in the paint aisle looking at hundreds of options.

Here are tips from James Hardie for making color selections for your siding, trim and soffit. For a truly distinct home, consider the following tips when selecting color and color combinations.

• Combinations with a lighter trim color emphasize the trim on your home
• Combinations with soft contrast between body and trim colors make a home appear larger
• Use deeper body colors for a warm, personalized, cozy feeling
• Look for colors that align with your neighborhood or environment
• If possible, evaluate colors by holding samples up against your home
• Use a third color for special details that you want to highlight

Visit jameshardie.com to explore which colors suit your personality by taking the James Hardie Find My Shade Quiz. And get inspired with the Design Center.

For More About ColorPlus® Technology, visit: http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/products-colorplus.shtm

Next, take a look at your Windows.  Are the older, in need of repair or paint, and dull in color?

One of the growing trends when homeowners replace their windows is to install energy-efficient, low-maintenance windows that add fashion to their home exterior.

Decorum by Simonton offers interior woodgrain options and exterior color options for both replacement windows and new construction windows.

On the exterior, you can select from: Chocolate, Cream, Brick, Pine, Tan, Bronze and Driftwood.

• Low maintenance exteriors never need painting.
• Colorful exteriors warranted against peeling, flaking, chipping, blistering and corrosion.

Featured Products:

Decorum by Simonton Casement windows with BRICK, PINE and BRONZE exterior frames that accent the home exterior

For more info on Window Colors from Simonton, go to: http://www.simonton.com/

Finally, take a look at your doors.  Is your front door welcoming and inviting?  Does it make your home stand out?

Entry doors add a welcoming effect to a home by complementing or contrasting the overall color scheme.

Example: A traditional house painted white with black shutters can easily have a front entry door in red or blue.

Therma-Tru Classic-Craft Canvas Collection –premium, smooth fiberglass doors designed with a paintable surface so homeowners can select (and change!) the color of their entry door.

• The energy-efficient fiberglass door includes wide center panels and rich embossment details that rival custom wood doors.
• 14 door styles and 13 glass styles – truly customizable
• Consumers Digest has named the Classic Craft collection of doors from Therma-Tru as a BEST BUY designation.

Featured Products:

• Classic-Craft Canvas Collection Full Door: two-panel soft arch door painted in a muted blue.
• Featured Colors: Muted Blue, Sage, Burgundy and Orange

For more info about Therma-Tru Doors, go to: http://thermatru.com/

About Brad Staggs:

Brad Staggs is a licensed contractor, TV personality, and home improvement expert, and an AUTHOR!  Get his first book:  Spend-A-Little, Save-A-Lot Home Improvements at Amazon.com.