Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to build a custom new home or to remodel your current home. Either way you are going to need to consider the exterior finish color or colors. If you choose paint for your exterior finish, you'll need to know that interior and exterior paint colors are not created equal, and you will want some guidance to make sure your new home stands out.
PAINT If you’re thinking that a fresh coat of paint is just the thing, the good folks at Better Homes & Gardens have some ideas for color combinations. A set of pearl gray, slate blue, and bright white plays quite well off a concrete driveway. If you are considering this set, try placing the slate blue house paint at the front entry and using bright white in several areas to balance. You will create a pleasingly streamlined silhouette. If your home sits gulf side, consider a mix of spa green and white. The green contrasts refreshingly against existing lawn and palm tree greenery, and white is a no-fail compliment. Similarly, a set of light gray, copper, and beige effectively use the neutral gray to enhance the other two for a standout look.
Also, with a nod toward the sophisticated coastal style of home featuring brackets beneath the outside soffits that is oh so popular in southwest Florida, BH&G also suggests the combination of salmon, jade and rusty brown. Exterior finishes with saturated jade green shutters can punctuate an elegant facade with jewel-tone richness complimented by brown window trim. Coat a standout piece like the front door with the salmon or keep the neutral wood shade to balance with outdoor paint colors share the same orange undertones.
Interestingly, your exterior paint palette choice can also affect your home price. A 2017 study by real estate finder Zillow reports that a home’s exterior color may also have an impact on its value and resale price. Homes with an exterior finish painted in “greige,” a mix of light gray and beige, sold for $4,000 more than similar homes painted in a medium brown or with tan stucco. Similarly, homes with front doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray increased their value by close to $1500.
STUCCO
Stucco is one of the more popular siding materials for Florida homes. You can choose from a wide variety of colors; this exterior finish is quite resistant and the style is timeless. Stucco also has an added benefit of being soundproof and fireproof when the materials that have been used are of high quality. However, stucco can be porous, so pressure washing is key maintenance in our humid climate. Paint Orlando recommends a matte finish paint, since shinier paints might exaggerate imperfections in the rough surface of the stucco. Matte exterior finish paints on this type of surface make everything look neat, tidy and well-kept.
HARDIE-PLANK Although Hardie-Plank siding looks like wooden sections, it is actually a cement mixture combined with wood fibers. Since it’s so durable, hardie-plank siding is extremely moisture-resistant and quite fireproof. Choose your paint color finish wisely, as you won’t need to redo for a good seven to 10 years!
Houzz reports that Miami area houses that sport a stylish roof and coastal design work well for a high-end exterior presentation. A stucco outside wall combined with metal roof also maintains a hip, classy feel.
Other exterior touches could show up in the front door style, window placement/style and your choice of shutters. The roof could be shingle, tile or metal. Combined with stucco and stylish landscaping, your exterior finish possibilities are endless, greatly increasing the value and curb appeal of your Florida home.
J. Sweet Construction offers 25 years’ worth of experience to put the finishing touches on your new custom home construction or home remodel.
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