Vinyl Siding Color Selection

Proper vinyl siding color selection goes a long way in setting the stage for the overall look of your home. Vinyl siding color selection can help you find the perfect color to complement the style of your home, your neighborhood, and your own personal design tastes. Your vinyl siding will last for many years, so consider some of the tips offered below and choose wisely!

These days most manufacturers of vinyl siding will offer an expansive color palette to choose from, and many will even offer custom colors as well. The decision about what color of vinyl siding to choose should not be taken lightly. The end result will determine your home’s exterior appearance for many years to come.

1. Think Long Term When It Comes To Vinyl Siding Color Selection

The vinyl siding you choose now will probably adorn your home for upwards of 20 to 30 years or more. That means that you should give some thought to whether the color you’re considering is something you can live with for the long-term. Also consider if it’s a color that would make it easy to sell your home down the road. You may love the look of the latest hues of blue or green, but will you still love it when that color is no longer “hot”? And how do you think future potential homebuyers will feel about it? These are questions worth asking now, since vinyl siding is a long-term purchase.

2. Check Out Your Neighbors
We’re not talking about being a “Peeping Tom” here. Rather, just check out the homes and note the colors you see. You should try to coordinate the look of your home somewhat with those around you. That doesn’t mean they have to be exactly the same, but your home should not stand out too much or contrast greatly with the surrounding homes. Your best bet may be to go with a complementary shade, or something that is in the same general spectrum. If your neighbor’s homes are all fairly neutral, it’s probably best to follow suit. If they are all painted in deeper, more traditional hues, you can go a bit bolder with your color choice without standing out too much. When it comes to house color, being the center of attention is not always a good thing.

3. Get Out. Outdoors That Is!
There’s a big difference in how colors look when viewed in different types of lighting. Since your vinyl siding will be installed outdoors, check out all color selections outside, rather than just in the store or showroom. And remember – the colors will look differently depending on whether it is cloudy or sunny out, and which way any light (natural or otherwise) is facing towards the house. It’s best to grab some color samples and look at the colors in the actual setting of your home’s exterior at different times of the day and during different weather conditions.




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4. See It In Action
With color, sometimes it’s hard to envision what a large surface will look like just based on a small swatch. If you are having a hard time deciding if the colors are right for your home, ask if there are other homes in the area that already have that particular color siding installed and take a ride over to see them. Seeing the color “in action” should make it easier for you to decide if you like it.

5. Take It All In
When choosing colors for the exterior of your home, it is best to consider all other colors around your home and how the color of the siding will fit into that color scheme. Just as you would interior colors, all of the exterior colors should blend well together. If you’re starting with a new home, the vinyl siding color may set the stage for all of your other color choices. But, if you are replacing existing siding, consider other features outside your home, such as other exterior buildings (like a garage, shed, barn, etc), fences, decks or porches, shutters, and such, and coordinate the siding color to those colors.

6. Accent Well
If you are starting from scratch, it is best to first choose the color of siding for your home. You should then consider coordinating accent colors, such as those for your shutters, front door and even landscaping. If you opt for a light neutral tone, you may want to add a bolder colored front door or shutters to really make it pop. If you keep things too light, it may start to look washed out and drab. You can also boost the pizazz with accent colors on a neutral toned house with flowers, an awning, window boxes, and outdoor furniture.

7. Consider Future Repairs
Although it’s hard to think now about what repairs your siding may need down the road, it is best to order a color that can be easily matched if you need more siding for repairs or additional construction. You can order some extra siding for small repairs, and this is probably a good idea (don’t forget the trim!), but you will have to have a place to store it flat. If you order a custom color, or even a stock option, you may not be able to get additional siding in the exact color if you need it at a later date. More subtle and traditional color options will probably be easier to find than trendier colors down the road. And bolder colors may fade more, meaning that even if you find a matching color, it may not actually match due to the fading that occurs over time.



Related Topics

Color Guide
Vinyl Color Options
The Best Colors For Your House

Last modified on April 21, 2023