How To Choose Exterior Siding Colors And Textures For Your Home (NAPSA)—Whenit comesto picking the right colors and textures for foerece! Dream a home, most homeowners color themselves confused. There are so manystyles to choose from. Exterior design does not need to be difficult. Here are eighttips to help you pick the perfect homepalette: 1. Think about the kind of statement you want to make. Do you want your hometo naturally blend in with the environmentor be bright and distinctive? Would you like your hometo be welcomingor stately? 2. Look around at color schemes that appeal to you. What makes the homesyou see look friendly and appealing? Take pictures and think about how thecolor schemehelpsdeliver that look. 3. Consider the materials already used in the house. Is the foundation brick, stone or con- crete? Whatcolors are the roofing shingles? The colors and textures you choose don’t have to match existing materials but should harmonize with them. 4. Use an exterior design visualizer that lets you try colors and styles on your home’s exterior without leaving the comfort of your home. For example, with siding manufac- turer Exterior Portfolio’s Dream Designer visualizer you can mix and match siding colors, textures and styles online to find the right exterior home design. The online tool gives users the freedom to change siding, window, door and corner trim, as well as roofcolor. You can also choose from a gallery of homes or upload images of your own hometo design with. Try the Dream Designer at www.Exterior Portfolio.com/DreamDesigner. 5. Consider the surroundings. Somesiding textures andcol- Using an online digital program, you can upload a picture of your homeand design and colorit to your heart’s content. ors work better in some environments than others. For example, a bright color that would look right in New Mexico might seem too garish for a home in Maine. Is the area you live in sunny or snowy? Is your home near a desert or a forest? In a city or the country? 6. What colors work best with the style of your home? Colors can be brighter with a Vic- torian house, say, than a Colonial house, if you want to stay accurate to the period. 7. Get samples to see how each color looks on your home. Swatches and color samples aren’t just for a home’s interior. The best way to test your home’s design decisions is with actual color samples. Through Exterior Portfolio’s Dream Designer program, you receive a customized Dream Designer Board with high-resolution images of your exterior design and large siding sample pieces of the selected products so you can try it before you buyit. 8. Lighten up. Pick a lighter neutral shade for the walls; use white for window trim and darker colors on add-on features such as shutters. Use bold colors or bright neutrals to play up beautiful architectural features.
