When selecting exterior paint colors for your home, it’s important to consider factors like weather conditions, exposure to sunlight, and how the color will complement your home’s architecture and surrounding landscape. Some exterior paint colors are more prone to fading, chalking, and showing dirt over time. Avoiding these colors can help your home’s exterior maintain its beauty longer.
Factors Affecting Exterior Paint Color Performance
Several key factors impact how well exterior paint colors hold up over time:
Sunlight Exposure – Areas of the home that get heavy, direct sunlight are more likely to experience fading and chalking of the paint. Darker colors tend to fade more than lighter colors.
Weather – Regions with very hot, sunny, and dry climates can be especially hard on exterior paints. Frequent temperature changes, moisture, and humidity also play a role.
Application Surface – Some siding materials like wood absorb more paint than others. The paint color may not adhere as well or be as long-lasting.
Quality of Paint – Higher quality exterior paints with UV-resistant formulas perform better against fading. Primers also help paint last longer.
Exterior Paint Colors to Avoid
When reviewing your color options, watch out for exterior paint colors known to be less durable:
Bright Whites – Stark, bright white is probably the most notorious color for showing dirt, stains, and imperfections. Over time, the intense glare tends to gray the paint. Opt for an off-white or very light gray instead.
Bright Yellows – Vivid yellow is another color that tends to fade quickly in sunlight. Softer yellows, tans, or creams are lower-maintenance options.
Bright Reds – Reds, oranges, and other intense yellow/red hues are prone to fading. Going a shade darker and choosing brick or maroon tones can help combat this.
Bold Blacks – Black picks up lots of heat from the sun and is notorious for fading and looking chalky over time. Charcoal gray is a good substitute.
Light Pinks – Soft pinks contain a lot of white pigment, so they show dirt easily and tend to fade out. Pink clay or rose shades hold up better.
Light Greens – Pale sage greens look beautiful when first painted but tend to discolor and darken over time. Deeper, mossy greens have better color retention.
Best Exterior Paint Colors
These exterior paint colors resist fading and weathering better while still offering plenty of color options:
Neutrals: beiges, taupes, grays, browns, tans
Blues: navies, cobalt blues, gray blues
Greens: forest greens, olive greens, teal greens
Yellows: golds, mustards, ochres
Reds: terra cottas, brick reds, wine reds
Purples: eggplants, plums, lavenders
Aim for colors in the medium to dark range across these hues for best durability. Here is a quick reference table of the most and least durable exterior paint colors:
| Most Durable Colors | Least Durable Colors |
|---|---|
| Medium to dark neutrals | Stark whites |
| Forest greens | Bright yellows |
| Navy blues | Bright reds |
| Brick reds | Light pinks |
| Rich browns | Light greens |
Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors
Here are some additional tips when selecting exterior paint colors:
– Test color samples on different facades to view in various light. Colors often look different once on the home.
– Select one main color and use secondary colors sparingly for trim and accents. This helps avoid a disjointed look.
– Make sure the color fits the architectural style. Victorian homes look best in deeper historic colors while Mid-Century Modern homes can pull off more vivid colors.
– Use less saturated versions of colors like yellow or red. Muted tones resist weathering better.
– Don’t just consider the color chip. Look at real houses painted the shades you’re considering.
– For a coordinated look, use a matching color for the home’s gutters, downspouts, front door, and shutters.
– Accent with natural materials like stone, brick, or wood trims which won’t fade.
– Use high-quality exterior paints that include UV protection, primers, and sealants. Apply properly for maximum longevity.
– Plan to repaint exteriors every 5-7 years and possibly more frequently on the most weather-exposed sides. Doing touch ups as needed can extend the life of your paint job.
Conclusion
Choosing the right exterior paint color and application for your specific climate and home style is key to creating a beautiful, long-lasting paint job. While vibrant whites and other light colors may seem striking at first, their tendency to age poorly makes them a poor choice for exterior house paint. Opt instead for hue intensities in the medium to darker range across more durable color families like blues, greens, reds, and neutrals. With proper prep and application, these colors will better withstand sun, rain, snow, and other elements. Aim for exterior paints offering UV protection and follow best practices for surface preparation and application. With some thoughtful color selection and care, your home’s exterior paint can maintain its eye-catching beauty and protective qualities for years before needing refreshed.