There is Still Time to Paint Your House, Which Color Should You Choose?

There’s plenty to consider as you consider painting your house and typically the first question is: What color should I paint my house?

You might start with a search of popular house colors or trending house colors. But if you’re getting ready to sell your home, you’ll want to know the color that will add $6,000 to your home’s value.

When Should You Update Your Exterior Paint?

You’ll probably notice visible signs when it’s time to paint your exterior. Lior Kahana of 123 Remodeling says these signs include “peeling, flaking, or chalky residue on the paint.” He adds, “Cracking caulk around windows and doors is another sign” and points out, “Repainting at the right time can prevent damage to the structure underneath, which ends up saving money in the long run.”

Great Home Exterior Colors Right Now

When it comes to choosing timeless and classic exterior paint colors, Kahana offers the following insight: “White is always a safe bet, but soft blacks and deep greens are really making a statement lately. I love seeing people mix classic siding with a darker trim for contrast. Just remember that bold colors may date faster, so use them in smaller doses if you’re unsure.”

Juzėnaitėagrees that “classic white is clean, versatile, never goes out of style, and suits all styles of homes,” adding that “beige, brown, and terracotta are recently trendy as many people are bored with white or bright colors and want something warm.” She further details, “I wouldn’t say black and gray are a trend, but still seem like a timeless idea. Sometimes bright colors appear, but I think it’s too fast of a trend that will pass and soon get boring.”

• Blue-Gray
• Gray with turquoise accents or warm green with shutters in a cooler green
• Pairing primary colors
• Sherwin-Williams’ Renwick Olive (SW 2815)
• White
• Ocean Blue and Green
• Peach and Apricot
• Black
• Sherwin Williams’ Colonial Revival Stone (SW 2827)
• Sky Blue
• Monochromatic Colors
• Valspar’s Twilight Mist

Home Exterior Painting Preparation

Before you embark on painting your home’s exterior you likely want to get an idea of the minutest details like how to paint exterior trim or what the house looks like after it’s painting. A good way to do that is using a home exterior painting app.

Home Exterior Painting Apps

Some popular home exterior painting apps include: CentraPro Painters, which allows you to upload a photo of your home and add a new color scheme after you register. Sherwin-Williams’ ColorSnap is another option that allows you to upload a photo of your home and paint it with a tool. Sherwin-Williams also has a color visualizer that will allow you to upload a photo of your home after you register on the site. It’s a bit clunky but it’s another option. McCormick Paints has a similar option on its website where the user has to register prior to using. You must also register to use Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer.

A fast way to prepare your home for painting is to use a pressure washer to clean the old paint and make the new home exterior paint stick better.

Should Your Garage Door Match Your House Paint

The short answer is yes, your garage door should match your house paint. But that leaves you with plenty of options so if you’re painting your home a completely new color, keep your garage door’s color in mind because you might have to paint that as well.

How Long Will Exterior Paint Last?

You can expect your exterior paint to last between 5 to 10 years based on the paint you use and how you prep your home’s exterior for painting with an exterior paint calculator.

Best Exterior Paint & Which Exterior Paint Color Fades the Least

Behr Premium Plus Satin Enamel Exterior paint is a top-reviewed paint while Kilz remains at the top for siding and primer. As far as fading goes, darker and vivid colors tend to fade faster than lighter colors because the sun will beat on it. Generally, reds, blues, greens and yellows will fade faster than earth tones like beiges, tans and browns.

How to Paint a House

Painting preparation often makes a big difference in how long exterior paint will last so it’s vitally important to follow these exterior painting steps to ensure your home exterior paint lasts. Proper exterior painting preparation means pressure washing the house, scraping out old caulk and paint, filling gouges before priming, sanding ridges, and caulking seams and cracks.

Best Temperature to Paint House Exterior

Weather is always key when it comes to painting a house’s exterior so you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast before starting. You’ll also want to pay attention to the temperature. The best temperature to paint a house exterior with oil-based paint is between 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit. The best temperature to paint a house exterior with latex-based paint is between 50-85 degrees. You’ll want the paint to dry when the humidity is between 40-70 percent. Learn more about the proper home exterior painting temperature with this guide.

How Much Paint Will You Need to Paint a Home’s Exterior?

Paint estimates can vary but BEHR estimates that one gallon of paint is enough to cover between 250 to 400 square feet of surface area with one coat so it’s important to calculate the size of your house by measuring the perimeter and then the height from the foundation to the roofline. Then multiple the perimeter by the height. If you want to get more precise you can subtract the square footage of doors and windows. Windows average 15 square feet and doors average 20 square feet.

How Long Does It Take for Exterior Paint to Dry?

Latex acrylic paint typically needs two hours to dry but if there’s humidity, it’ll take closer to six hours, you’ll need to plan things accordingly if you plan to paint multiple coats.

Which Paint Tools to Use

You’ll need at least a pressure washer, scrapers, sander and sand paper, primer, paint brushes, caulk, paint roller, paint tray, extension ladder, paint, painter’s tape, rags, a roller sleeve, ladder stabilizer and protective canvas or old sheets. Our real estate pros encourage people to paint their houses before selling them. Here’s the most popular paint color to sell your house in a snap.

Tips to Make Your Paint Last Longer

Painting the exterior or your home is so much work. Of course you want the job to last as long as possible. What are some ways to ensure this?

Juzėnaitė shares, “Clean the surface well before painting with new paint and don’t forget about priming. Also choose a paint that is suitable for the weather conditions.” She advises homeowners, “Don’t hesitate to ask professionals in stores what paint is better when it’s often very hot, or constant rain, or moisture.”

Kahana echoes this advice. “Clean and prep the surface properly,” he begins, adding,  “Use a high-quality exterior paint, and don’t paint in direct sunlight or extreme heat.”

What to Do With Painting Supplies

How to Store Paint and Preserve Paint Brushes

If you’re expecting a multiple day home exterior painting project, you’ll need to know these tips on how to store paint and these secrets to preserving paint brushes and rollers.

FAQ

Do I need to prime my house before painting?

To achieve the best results when painting your house, it’s best to prime first. Be sure to remove any damaged paint and also clean the area prior to painting as well.

How do I choose a paint color that complements my landscaping?

When considering how your exterior paint color will complement your landscaping, think about whether you want your home and landscape colors to harmonize or contrast. For a harmonious look, choose similar colors, but for a contrast, consider complementary colors. Either way, you should pick a paint color that has similar undertones as the most dominant colors in your landscaping.

Is it worth hiring a professional to paint the exterior of my house?

Painting the exterior of your house is a huge undertaking and if it’s within your budget it can definitely be worth it to hire a professional. Professional painters have access to better tools and products that can yield superior results that look better and last longer. In addition, if your home is more than one story, hiring professional painters is a safer option than doing it yourself.

About the experts

Lior Kahana has extensive expertise in interior design and home improvement and is the operations manager at 123 Remodeling. He oversees project execution, ensuring efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction. With a strong background in project management and a passion for transforming spaces, Kahana is a trusted authority on remodeling processes, innovative solutions, and achieving stunning results within budget and on schedule.

Evelina Juzėnaitė is the principal interior designer at Planner 5D, the 2D/3D home design platform that uses AI to enhance the design experience and empower users to create their dream homes. She provides clients with an intuitive and efficient design journey, from concept to completion.