The right paint and colour can not only protect the exterior of your home, but also express your personal style.
Mother Nature’s punishing effects on a house invariably come to light as we emerge from winter and into warmer weather and longer days.
Exterior paints and stains are a home’s best protection against the elements, and how long and how well an exterior paint or stain will do its job to protect a house depends on the quality and type of the paint or stain, the quality of the preparation, and the quality of the application.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAINT
Recent breakthroughs in paint technology have yielded a new generation of eco-friendly, low-VOC exterior paints and stains, such as Aura® Exterior Paint and Arborcoat® Waterborne Exterior Stain. This new breed of high-performance exterior coatings performs better than other paints and stains and withstands the test of time.
When selecting a quality exterior paint or stain for your home, keep the following attributes in mind:
Durability and overall performance
Resistance to mould and mildew
Resistance to ultraviolet radiation
Ease of application
Available in colours that resist fading
Environmentally friendly
SELECTING EXTERIOR COLOURS
In addition to its protective value, a new coat of paint or stain can be esthetically transforming, and choosing a paint colour is always a challenge. Here are a few ideas:
The roof, driveway and chimney are existing elements that won’t be painted, but should play a role in determining your colour choices. For a facade that’s partially stone, for example, using a similar colour will add visual harmony. If the fixed colours are intense, like a terracotta tile roof, a neutral colour will bring balance.
The landscaping is another important factor. Select colours that fit in with the surrounding palette. If you have brilliant-coloured spring blooming trees or a sea of green foundation plantings, choose colours that will complement them.
Choose a colour scheme that is compatible with the other houses in the neighbourhood. You don’t have to imitate the palette or application exactly, but you can put your own individual spin on similar colour combinations.
Regional influences also are bound to affect your choice as you account for the local terrain, seasons, natural lighting, history and culture.
Bring in some photos of your home’s exterior. Our On-Staff Decorators can work with you and recommend an exterior palette that will make you the envy of the street!
