Increase the house curb appeal by choosing an excellent color for your garage door to go with your gray-toned house. We know this decision can be intense, so we did some in-depth research to get options to update your home and showcase your creativity.
Gray is a neutral color, which gives a lot of color choices for your garage door. Gray plays well with most other colors as long as you are careful about any colors that have a lot of gray in them. Colors that have a lot of gray in them can dim the house visually. Here are a few colors that go well with a gray exterior.
- Black
- Blue
- Red
- Green
- Brown
- Gray
- White
We looked at some considerations before selecting the color for the garage door; then, we discuss the different contrast options. Continue reading to see how to make these colors work well.
Color Considerations
Homes consist of three colors, starting with the primary color of the house. The trim color is on any awnings, door trim, and window trim. Then the accent colors are that of the doors and window shutters.
The ideal color of the garage door will bring the other colors of the home into harmony. A dark garage door will anchor the house with the ground, where a lighter color will tend to draw the view upward toward the sky.
Take a walk around your neighborhood, see how the colors of their garage doors fit in with their homes and work to be in harmony with them. Unless, of course, you wish to stand out. You don't have to match with your neighbors. If the neighbor to your left has a black garage door, and the one to your right has a white garage door, you could paint yours a gray to balance the two.
Make sure to keep the front door where people are entering the focal point. Make the garage door a compliment but not the main attraction.
Good Color Combinations
Here are some favorite color combinations. High-contrast colors give a modern aesthetic visual that is pleasing to the eye. Deep and rich colors make the home seem warm and inviting. Monochrome gives a classy visual appeal.
High-Contrast
Gray House With a Black Garage Door
A lighter gray, almost white home contrasts nicely with the black garage doors giving a classy modern feel.
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Be cautious if the black garage door is in full sun all day as the black will absorb the sun's heat and increase the temperature of the garage.
Deep and Rich
Light Gray Dark Blue Indigo Garage Doors
The dark blue garage door brings visual interest to the home.
Red Garage Door
Go for an intimate feel using a darker shade of gray siding to make the red garage door pop.
Green Garage Door
A green garage door gives a hint of adventure on a middle shade gray.
Brown Garage Door
The rich brown of the garage door offsets the gray brick for an excellent curb appeal.
Be careful with brown. Make sure to select a shade in contrast to the gray as that will give the best visual. A brown shade similar to the house will make the garage door wash out and look muddy instead of clean.
Monochrome
Middle Gray With A White Garage Door
Bring traditional to your street with a classic white garage door against a medium gray house.
White Garage Door
Get a cottage feel with a white garage door against the middle of the darker gray-toned house.
Gray House With Gray Garage Doors
A light gray house with a dark gray garage door gives a modern contemporary feeling to the home.
Use the same shade of gray on the door as the house to give the illusion of a larger home.
Be cautious of the undertone color of the gray paint. While it may look simply gray, it can have a blue undertone that can make it seem cooler in color or a warm undertone that makes it appear darker.
Stone Buildings
A house with a stone exterior does well with broader ranges of color. Try a soft purple, blue, or green against the lighter gray stone. Darker stone goes well with lighter colors.
It is not necessary to match the garage door to the front door. View our article about whether or not the "Garage Door Should Match The Front Door" for more details.
Should Your Garage Door Color Match House Or Trim?
The garage color can match the house, the trim, or the accent colors. Bring the home into harmony by matching the garage door to the trim or increasing the house's visual size by matching the primary house color. Create attractive accents by painting the door the same color as the window shutters and gutters.
Will A Painted Garage Door Last Longer?
In short, yes, a painted garage door will last longer. The paint will extend the door itself but will not extend the working mechanisms.
Typically, metal garage doors come with a baked enamel finish. This finish lasts for a long time and does not need a lot of maintenance. If painted, it will need to be maintained every five to ten years.
Wood doors do not come with a coating and will need to be painted or stand and has higher maintenance needs.
What Is The Best Finish For Garage Doors?
Use a semi-gloss acrylic latex exterior house paint on the garage door for the best outcome. It will endure the harsher weather and excessive moisture.
Should You Stain Wood Before Painting?
Wood stain can impede painting the wood with acrylic-based paint. The oil can keep the paint from sticking. Use a primer coat to seal the wood. Then the paint coats will cover smoothly.
Painting Over Stained Wood
If the door is already stained, here are the steps to take so that you can paint the garage door.
Water-Based Stains
- Use soapy water to remove any particles.
- Dull the stain by lightly sanding the surface with 50-grit sandpaper.
- It is possible to use a deglosser which is liquid sandpaper, to strip the finish off faster. Use in a well-ventilated area with care, a safety mask, and gloves. Let dry for 10 minutes.
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- Use wood filler to repair any damage to the wood. Do another sanding with sandpaper and clean again with a damp cloth.
- Test an area with a quick-dry primer to make sure that the paint sticks well to the site. If it does, wait an hour, then paint. If it does not, sand and repeat the steps above.
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains can be covered with latex or oil-based paint.
- Put on the safety gear, goggles, and gloves. Ventilate the area.
- Mix 1/4 cup of trisodium phosphate in one gallon of warm water.
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- Using a sponge, dip into the mixture, squeeze the excess out, then wipe down the surface twice. Let dry.
- Sand the uneven areas, then wipe clean.
- Apply a bonding primer that will adhere to hard-to-paint surfaces.
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- Then paint. The surface will need two coats of paint.
Project Completion
Gray houses lend themselves to an open palette of contrasting and complementary colors. Whether the door is to blend in with the background or stand out and make a statement, there are many choices at your fingertips.
Go dark with a light gray and light with a dark gray. Black and red colors make the garage door stand out, while white and green give a more sophisticated look. Enjoy the outcome.
For future reading: Click here to read about "How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Garage Door?"
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