How to choose the right vinyl siding colors for your home.

Understanding the importance of vinyl siding colors.

One of the main advantages of vinyl siding is its versatility in color options. With a wide range of shades and hues available, you can find the perfect color to complement your home's exterior. Whether you prefer a classic neutral tone or a bold, vibrant shade, the right vinyl siding color can make a lasting impression.

Here are some important facts to remember when deciding on the best color for your home:

Color can impact your home's energy efficiency.

Your vinyl siding’s color can help you maximize energy efficiency. If you want to retain heat, choose dark-colored siding. Darker colors can help absorb heat, providing additional insulation during colder seasons.

On the other hand, if you live in a hotter area, it’s best to invest in lighter-colored siding to reduce energy usage. Lighter colors tend to reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption and keeping your home cooler during hot summer months.

Color can affect your home's curb appeal.

The color of your home can boost its curb appeal. But, of course, it matters which color you choose.

Some potential homebuyers might prefer a home with vinyl siding in a color that's cool and neutral, such as gray, brown, white, or blue. Some may be drawn to darker, modern colors, such as black, green, or even burgundy. And there may be some buyers who prefer brighter colors — reds, oranges, yellows — that often evoke excitement.

If your goal is to make your home more attractive to potential buyers, it's worth asking a real estate expert. You should also research trends in your areas to see what vinyl siding colors tend to sell faster (and for a higher price).

Color can complement your home's architectural style.

When selecting vinyl siding colors, it's essential to consider your home's architectural style. Different styles call for different color palettes to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

For example, if you have a traditional colonial-style home, earth tones or classic neutrals like beige or cream may be a great choice. For a more contemporary or modern home, bolder and contrasting colors can add a striking visual appeal.

Exploring a wide range of vinyl siding color options.

What should you go for when choosing your vinyl siding color? It depends on a number of factors.

Older styles.

If you’ve got a home that echoes an old style, you may want to paint it according to the colors of that architectural era. For example:

• Colonial to Greek revival (mid-1600s–mid-1800s): Burnt umber, bayberry, sage green, flaxen yellow.
• Victorian to Queen Anne (1830s–1900s): Aubergine, claret, peacock blue, teal green.
• Craftsman to Arts and Crafts (1890s–1930s): Adobe, pumpkin, nutmeg, willow green.
• Prewar to Art Deco (1900s–1940s): Vermillion, Robin’s egg blue, salmon, pewter.
• Ranch to mid-century modern (1940s–1960s): Turquoise, lilac, sunshine yellow, flamingo.
• Postmodernism to present (1970s onward): Tuscan gold, avocado green, denim blue, cappuccino, Dorian gray.

Timeless and classic styles.

If you're aiming for a timeless and classic look, there are several popular vinyl siding colors that never go out of style. Shades of white, cream, and beige exude elegance and provide a clean and sophisticated appearance. These colors blend seamlessly with any architectural style, making them a safe choice for homeowners who prefer a more traditional aesthetic.

Modern and contemporary styles.

For those seeking a more modern and stylish appearance, contemporary color trends offer a plethora of options. Grays, blues, and greens have gained popularity in recent years, adding a fresh and vibrant touch to any home's exterior. Whether you opt for a cool slate gray or a bold navy blue, these colors can give your home a trendy and eye-catching appeal.

Understanding the durability and fade resistance of vinyl siding colors.

One of the best things about vinyl siding is that it is engineered to last — to resist the elements and retain its vibrant colors.

Vinyl siding can retain colors — but you still have to maintain it.

Vinyl siding is one of the more durable siding options. Where color is concerned, approximately 400 colors have been tested and certified for color retention. You can get a long-lasting color and shade.

However, you should still perform basic maintenance tasks. For example, inspect your siding and hire a pro to help restore it if it begins to fades.

Vinyl siding uses advanced technologies.

Some vinyl sidings are made with advanced technology that helps disperse heat and resist fading. They’re helpful if you want dark exterior colors that won’t fade so fast.

Vinyl siding has undergone testing.

Vinyl siding has undergone rigorous testing to withstand some of the harshest conditions, such as sunshine and rain, impact damages, and strong winds of at least 110 mph. Most vinyl siding has a protective layer that preserves dark colors, preventing them from fading immediately. You won’t have to worry about painting or caulking to seal out water, and its UV protection helps prevent sun damage.

How to choose the best vinyl siding color for your home.

The scary thing about choosing a vinyl siding color is that you’re in for the long haul. It’s hard to change your siding’s look and colors once you’ve completed the project.

Here are some tips to help you make the best choice.

Step 1: Let your house determine your color palette.

Different houses lend themselves to various palettes — depending on the architectural style. Don’t pressure yourself to stand out too much. Let your house’s style speak for itself.

Step 2: Choose your main siding color.

Take your surroundings into consideration. Get some sample colors from the pros and look at them under full sunlight, in the dark, and at different times of the day.

Some popular siding colors include neutrals, white, deep red, green, and natural colors. These colors tend to blend with their surroundings and will look great with any house style, whether classic, contemporary, or modern.

Step 3: Choose a secondary siding color.

Make sure your house looks well-balanced with warm and cool tones. If you choose a cool, neutral color, like blue siding, make it pop with a warm secondary color.

Step 4: Choose your trim color.

Adding trim and accents gives your home’s exterior a finished look. Classic white goes with almost any color palette. Or, if you have a more neutral vinyl siding, you may want a bolder trim to give your house a pop of color. You can even opt for a different trim color around your windows, soffits, and eaves.

Step 5: Consult a professional.

If you're still having trouble deciding which color you should pick for your vinyl siding, contact the pros. A vinyl siding installation company or exterior painter (if you choose to paint your existing vinyl siding) can help you decide on a color palette for your home.

Expert tips for selecting the best vinyl siding colors.

Mixing and matching house siding colors can be a little daunting, especially if this is your first time. If you’re struggling, here are a few more helpful tips:

Consider other elements of your home's exterior.

First and foremost, it's crucial to consider how the vinyl siding colors will coordinate with the other exterior elements of your home. Take into account the color of your roof, doors, windows, and even landscaping. You want to ensure that the colors complement each other and create a cohesive look.

For example, if you have a red roof, earthy tones like beige or brown might be a good choice for your vinyl siding. If you have warm-colored siding, such as tan, beige, or brown, you might want a similar warm shade for your roof, such as red or tan. Similarly, if you’ve decided to get a black or slate gray roof, pair it with gray, green, or blue vinyl siding.

Use color samples and visualization tools.

Technology has made it possible to see your house as if it were already finished. Software tools allow you to play around and visualize what it might look like with a specific color or material.

Check with your local store or ask your pro to provide some color samples and help you decide.

Understand color psychology.

Lastly, understanding color psychology can play a significant role in home design. Different colors evoke different emotions and moods, so it's important to choose colors that align with the desired atmosphere of your home.

For example, warm colors like red and yellow can create a welcoming and energetic vibe, while cool colors like blue and green promote a sense of calmness and relaxation.

Learn about the color wheel.

It also helps if you understand how the color wheel works. For example:

• Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. They usually work if you want to create a serene color scheme.
• Complementary colors are on opposite sides of the color wheel, such as red and green or orange and blue. Choosing complementary colors can add vibrancy and contrast to your home.
• Triadic colors occur when you take a color and, instead of using its complementary color, you take the two colors on either side of it. When you do this, you form a triangle. This color scheme creates a three-color combination with more subtle contrast.

Pro tip: Don’t overdo it or use all colors in equal amounts. Only one color should take a leading role while the others play supporting roles or highlight certain parts of your home.

Hire a pro to make your home the perfect color.

If you aren’t sure how to choose colors for your home, you can always check with a vinyl siding professional near you. They’ll be able to advise you about the best shade for your home, as well as install or paint your old siding for you.

Download the Thumbtack app to start getting quotes from top-rated pros near you.