How do I choose the best paint color for the exterior of my Pensacola home?
Posted on March 28, 2023
There are many things to consider when choosing exterior paint colors for your Pensacola home. From making sure that the materials style of your house works with your color scheme, to making sure the colors will be approved by your HOA, every house has its own challenges when finalizing this decision. Here are a few things to consider when you start looking.
Limitations of Your Home
When picking exterior paint colors, you need to look at your home and see where the limitations lay. If your home has non-painted surfaces made of natural materials, such as brick or stone, you will need to take into consideration, that most colors will clash with the natural materials. It is recommended that you look for undertones.
Search for Inspiration
Once you figure out if your house has any limitations, go for a drive. Look at different ideas your neighbors have used and see what you like and don’t like in person. This allows you to see in person how different colors look at different times of the day. You may find yourself loving one color combination only to see it at a different time of day and completely change your mind. When you have your idea in mind, you can look on Pinterest for other exterior home color ideas.
Keep your colors contained to 3 or 4 colors. These usually break down into the main walls, the trim and accents, and then the door. Use color wheels for inspiration to help find complementary exterior paint color ideas.
One thing you can try out is a paint visualizer. CertaPro Painters® of Northwest Florida has a visualizer home tool available where you can upload a picture of your house and try different paint combinations to see how your house may appear.
Light Affects the Color – Always Go Warmer
Once you pick your color scheme, you’ll want to test it before committing. Houses in pictures are often a different color than what you are thinking. All those white houses that you see in pictures. They are usually beige, grey-beige (called “greige”, or cream-colored. If you are looking for a lighter color, you will want to aim for a warmer tone of it. The sun will lighten the color more than you’d think, so it is recommended to go 1 or 2 shades darker to counter the sun’s effect. Get samples of the colors you would like to use and test out the paint in different areas. If you do not wish to use the sample exterior paint on your home, you can always use a poster board and test how the paint looks in the shade or full sun in various places around your house.
Keep Emerald Coast in Mind
Living on the Emerald Coast is always exciting. Sun, surf, salt, and sand! Unfortunately, all those things that make living in Northwest Florida fun are what will erode the exterior paint of your home faster. The sun’s more direct angle with the high humidity will add make the paint fade and potentially grow mold. Sand can easily be kicked up and scratch your exterior or cause a buildup of sediment on your home’s outer surfaces. Finally, salt will eat away at your paint, causing it to chip, peel, and fade. It is recommended to have your paint sealed after your house is painted to help increase the longevity of your house.
Exterior Painting Professionals
CertaPro Painters® of Northwest Florida have plenty of experience painting homes in Northwest Florida. They know what it’s like to go through hurricanes, and deal with the heat, not to mention tourists who flock to the area every spring and summer. Let our team take care of your home with our exterior painting services. With the help of a CentraPro Painters® Color Consultant, we will assist in helping you choose the exterior paint colors that will make your home the envy of the street.
CertaPro Painters® of Northwest Florida for Exterior Painting Services
Painting the exterior of your home is a great way to improve curb appeal, create a new look or add some protection to the elements. However, if done incorrectly, the results can be unappealing and worsen your curb appeal – not to mention wasted time. Let the pros at CertaPro Painters® of Northwest Florida handle your exterior home painting project for you! Contact us today for a free estimate.
