Changing to a new exterior paint color may be a bit challenging, yet it's a simple and one of the cheapest ways to refresh your home. However, the results never depend on your taste alone. The state of the home walls matters no less than the preferred color, yet the former is often mistakenly overlooked.
A wall covered with dust, pollen, mildew, water stains, or other grime does not always show its color; it always shows the impact. The color will almost certainly look differently and will unlikely last long. It will start peeling, resulting in the need for another painting since the look will be inappropriate. In this review, you will learn more about the essentials to know before starting to paint.
Start With Inspiration, Not a Final Choice
Cleaning is exhausting, yet essential. It's best to focus on choosing the most appropriate color for your walls, while professionals from Riverview House Washing for stucco homes will help people in nearby locations shift focus from exhaustive routine to more creative work.
People often face difficulties when choosing colors. In fact, guessing is a bad idea. It's much better to look attentively through color palettes. The earlier you do that, the better it can help you narrow your preferences. There are several universal options and non-standard ones as well. The former are soft neutrals, earthy greens, or classic whites. When you feel ready, it's also best to choose the darker accent colors.
When choosing a color palette, it's best to think about the home of your dreams. Another viable alternative is to think about the color that makes you feel comfortable. The color choice may also have some sentimental value, reminding you of your parents' home or so. These simple ideas will help you reflect on the most appropriate colors.
Why Clean Walls Make Color Comparison Easier
Exterior paint is influenced by its many external factors. These include natural light, nearby landscaping, roofing, trim, and even the color of the driveway. All of these aspects, altogether or separately, can change how a shade appears. However, a dirty wall is the thing affecting colors most. It's especially important for light colors. For instance, a light beige may look dull beside dark streaks and accumulated grime. After cleaning, the same color will appear much brighter. Another example is a gray exterior that can look darker when surrounded by dirt. Clean walls will allow you to achieve more accurate painting results.
Look at Colors at Different Times of Day
Once you have shortlisted the most suitable colors, test each of them in more than one lighting condition. Morning sunlight can make a color look different from afternoon light. A shaded side of the house may also look differently compared with the wall that receives direct sun for most of the day. Thus, it's essential to observe how color looks and changes outdoors instead of judging a color from a single photograph alone. Among other things, consider these aspects:
- Morning and afternoon light
- Sunny and cloudy conditions
- Shaded sections of the exterior and those exposed to light
- How the color looks from the street and close to the front entrance
This broader and detailed review can prevent unexpected surprises once the exterior has been updated.
Compare the Walls With the Roof and Trim
Even though the walls are the first part to look at when choosing color, there are other, no less essential, sections that are often neglected. Look at other elements that remain unchanged, your roof first. It occupies the largest visual area. Therefore, it also has to be considered when choosing a color. For example, a warm-toned roof may coordinate with a cool gray wall less than with a creamy white.
Apart from the room, the existing shutters, gutters, stonework, brick, doors, and window trim can influence the overall appearance. There's no need to repair everything; it's only essential to pick the color that matches everything. Cleaning first makes these decisions easier since it enables homeowners to see how the existing components actually relate to one another.
Decide What Really Needs Painting
Painting is no less exhaustive than cleaning. A thorough look at the clean exterior can considerably change the scope of your project. When inspecting the surfaces, you may discover that the existing finish is simply dirty and still looks good after cleaning. However, you may also notice fading, cracking, peeling, or other issues that make repainting more worthwhile.
It's essential to approach exterior updates mindfully. Its maintenance is not always about changing everything at once. Regular cleaning and timely attention to emerging problems can help homeowners avoid unnecessary work and expenses. Sometimes, cleaning is already an important evaluation step.
Make Cleaning Part of the Color-Selection Process
Selecting exterior paint colors never starts with a completely blank slate. Start by collecting ideas and brainstorming about your dream home. Shortlist the colors you like and have always wanted. Consider how they might work with the rest of your home's existing features, roof first.
Before making the final choice, clean the exterior thoroughly. A clean surface always provides you with a more realistic view of the current finish. It also makes paint samples easier to compare.
It's best to compare the paint samples you have selected before to make sure they will look proper. Choose some small parts for testing first. Examine these options in different lighting. Also, consider how the roof, trim, landscaping, doors, and other features will look altogether after painting. Still, a clean, fresh view of your home's exterior will always make the difference. It will help you choose between colors and select one that will genuinely work with the property.