Among the benefits of LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is that the color options are endless. Whether your customers choose from the 16 prefinished colors in the ExpertFinish® prefinished collection or opt for a custom color painted on primed LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, the only limit is the imagination.
Here are considerations dealers and customers can use to help narrow down the selections.
The Home’s Interior Style
When choosing siding and trim colors, it’s helpful to consider the interior style. Then, they can align the exterior with that look for a cohesive style that appears throughout the home.
To determine the home’s interior style, one way for the homeowner to start is to take a look at one of their favorite pieces of furniture. Are the colors bright and bold, neutral and muted, or warm and cozy? It can also help to consider a style they’ve recently seen online or in a magazine. Think about the types of materials seen there. Are there wood furniture pieces, metal accents, or rich fabrics? These factors together contribute to the home’s overall interior style.
Here's a look at a few common styles and the best siding color combinations in ExpertFinish colors to complement them.
- Rustic & Traditional: If the home style includes wood, stone, and leather materials, neutral siding to match the rustic and traditional look may be the right fit. If they’re looking for a shade of brown, ExpertFinish color Prairie Clay serves as a solution. In general, cedar texture siding would also fit well for this style.
- Modern & Minimalist: Is the color palette black and white, complemented by metal accents and exposed light bulbs? If so, the modern take on home décor would be a great fit for ExpertFinish siding in Abyss Black. It’s a bold choice but fits modern homes perfectly. It can also contrast well with stark white additions, such as patio furniture, to add pops of brightness to the look.
- Cozy & Vintage: For homes buried in pillows, cozy blankets, red plaids, and antiques, bringing this style to the exterior calls for a time-tested favorite: ExpertFinish color Redwood Red. This color of siding can make it feel like you’re nestled in a cabin, no matter where the home is located, and complete the welcoming feel.
- Clean & Comfortable: White interiors complemented by select colors—such as blue, yellow, and light tan—bring a clean, comfortable look to a home. This style is common in coastal areas but can work anywhere. ExpertFinish colors Summit Blue and Rapids Blue can tie the look to the exterior, offering the chance to match outdoor elements (including furniture, landscaping, and more).
- Bright & Original: For those who love the brightness and style of modern farmhouse siding but want to be a little different than what’s commonly seen, that’s where ExpertFinish color Sand Dunes comes in. This shade is still considered neutral but adds a bit more interest than white.
Consider the Home’s Exterior Style
The structure of the home also contributes to its overall style. When selecting exterior house colors, think beyond a singular color. A palette of three colors—for the siding, accents, and trim—helps create a color scheme for a cohesive look. For example, a home with ExpertFinish Summit Blue siding that gives it a clean and comfortable feel can benefit from ExpertFinish Snowscape White trim. ExpertFinish siding in Abyss Black pairs well with ExpertFinish Tundra Gray trim, which helps the home maintain its darker look overall while adding unique details.
Here are a few common home styles and color combination examples for each one using color options from LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® products. Check out many more recommendations on their Home Styles page.
- Farmhouse: Farmhouse-style homes are known for their coziness, simplicity, and tradition. Typically, farmhouse exterior paint colors include natural colors, often neutrals, such as white, beige and even black. Bright, bold colors can be used in a modern twist for farmhouse paint colors.
- Modern: Contemporary homes reflect today's trends in architecture, picking up on the ever-evolving interests of designers. They typically include lots of natural light, open floor plans, sustainable building materials, and mixed materials on the exterior.
- Craftsman: Getting its name from Britain’s Arts & Crafts movement, the Craftsman home made its way to America and put function first without sacrificing charm. With low-pitched rooflines, wide eaves, and covered front porches complete with pillars lining the entryway, this style is popular in many areas across the United States.
- Victorian: With steep, gabled roofs and shapely windows, Victorian homes were inspired by the architecture that was popular during Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century. Decorative woodwork also mark this style. Inside these homes, you’ll find ornate staircases and intricate wood trim.
- Ranch: Typically one-story homes with open, casual layouts, ranch style homes are marked by low-pitched roofs and extended eaves. They became popular in the 1960s and can include asymmetrical rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped designs.
- Colonial: Colonial homes are associated with the colonial period of the United States, drawing their design from the architecture of that time period. They typically feature two or three stories with brick or wood facades. Additionally, the kitchen and living spaces are usually found on the first floor with the bedrooms on the upper floors.
Using a Siding Visualizer Tool for Inspiration
When your customer has a few ideas to work with, try the LP SmartSide Home Visualizer tool to experiment with colors and materials. With this tool, they can upload a photo of their own home or use a comparable model of a home as they try out different colors. Be sure to try matching siding and roof colors, too.
This content was repurposed from the LP website. Weyerhaeuser Distribution is committed to delivering the reliable, consistent products you can rely on. Connect with your Weyerhaeuser representative today about exterior cladding solutions available in your market.
All images are for illustrative purposes only. Images ©2024 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved.
LP, SmartSide, and ExpertFinish are registered trademarks owned by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.
