The exterior of your home is the most visible part of your home and likely the only part of your home that most people will ever see. Painting the wood siding on the exterior of your home can give the outside of your home an easy and quick update as well as add value and curb appeal to your home. Choosing a color for your siding can be a daunting job without some direction or inspiration. We have searched multiple sources to bring you a condensed list of some of the most popular colors of paint for your wood siding.
With the exterior view of your home being one of your only chances to highlight your family's style and taste, it should reflect the tone of the rest of your home. There are no rules when it comes to decorating your own home, but there are a few color combinations that are popular amongst homeowners and designers. The best colors of paint for your wood siding are:
- Yellow
- White
- Neutral/nude
- Grey
- Green
- Black
- Blue
- Red
- Natural wood
Choosing a color to paint the siding of your home is one of the biggest decisions that you will make while remodeling the exterior of your home, but other questions will likely arise during the course of your project. What kind of paint do you use on wood siding? Do you need to prime wood siding before painting? How often should you paint wood siding? We will answer all of these questions and discuss other closely related topics, just keep reading.
Best Colors For Your Wood Siding
Yellow
For a burst of bright and energetic color, yellow can be a great color to paint wood siding. Yellow is a primary color but with so many variations, narrowing down the color options can be a big task. Shades of yellow can add warmth and vivid color to many different color palettes. In the example below, the light lemony yellow shade is paired with a light shade of green and white for a fun citrusy color scheme.
White
Crisp and clean, white is a longstanding favorite for use on both interior and exterior surfaces. White is a classic accent color and the ultimate neutral due to the fact that it goes with pretty much any other color imaginable. Because it pairs well with most other colors, multiple accent colors can be added to the color scheme. In the example below, the stark white backdrop is accented with multiple colors courtesy of the colorful flowering bushes.
Neutral/nude
Lying somewhere between shades of stark whites and warm tan to light browns, neutral-toned nude colors are a slightly pinkish-tan hue that is versatile and classy. For a warm neutral tone, nude colors can make a great color for wood siding.
In the color scheme pictured below, the mixture of stone and brick adorning the front of this home inspired this light neutral siding color. The unassuming nude shade used on the siding in this example allows the various brick and stone detail to be the focal point of the entrance to this home.
Grey
Grey has recently become increasingly popular for use as a cool neutral tone. In the example below, the light grey creates an expansive look when accompanied by the surrounding stone in a similar color. Inspired by the natural stone accents, this light neutral grey blends with its surroundings using different textures for contrast.
The white pillars and trim provide decorative detail to this space and the bright warm brown door acts as an accent piece, with the warm brown contrasting the cool grey and white color scheme.
Green
Inspired by nature, green in various shades can be a great addition to the exterior of your home. Green is a bold yet versatile color pairing well with many other accent colors. The olive shade pictured below makes a great companion color to the light neutral yellowish tone that accents the trim of this home. The natural stone accents provide a beautiful contrast to the cool green hue.
Black
For an ultra-modern look, consider a sleek black paint for your wood siding. Deep and sophisticated, black is gaining popularity as an exterior color and pairs well with many colors, especially lighter shades. In the picture below, the black siding is easily the focal point of the exterior of this home, emphasized by the neutral-colored backdrop. Bright accent colors can easily be added to the color scheme by painting the front door or another large easily visible decorative piece.
Blue
For a cool vibrant option, consider painting your siding a shade of blue. From light sky blue to royal or navy blue, there are multiple variations of the color that would make an excellent exterior color for the siding of your home. Being a primary color, blue is very versatile and makes a beautiful cool companion to most other colors. In the example below, two blues are combined to create this double blue color scheme.
Red
For a barn-inspired look, energetic, and bright shades of red siding can liven up the exterior of your home. The orange-red in the example below is a similar shade to the barn in the background, creating a coordinated look across the yard. For an even bolder look, consider brighter shades of red or deep dark tones of red for your wood siding.
The trim of the house in the below example is yellow, but white contrasting accents can further sharpen the look of your bold shade of red.
Natural wood
For a natural look, consider staining your wood siding instead of painting it. The natural color of wood can be a great contrasting warm color to pair with many other colors. In the example below, the warm color of this wood siding is a bold contrast to the cool charcoal grey background. This color can also serve as neutral and lighten up your entire color scheme.
What Kind Of Paint Do You Use On Wood Siding?
Choosing the right kind of paint for your job is key to ensuring optimal results and a durable finish. Water-based or acrylic latex paints are the best paints to use on wood siding. Oil-based paints can fade quickly on wood siding exposed to sunlight. Experts suggest that satin finish latex paint is best due to its smooth semi-matte and waterproof finish.
For more information on paint, check out our post, What’s the Difference Between Interior And Exterior Paint?
Do You Need To Prime Wood Siding Before Painting?
Priming wood prior to painting is necessary for optimal results. Primer seals the rough grain of the wood, preventing paint from bleeding through the grain. Primer also ensures proper adhesion of the paint, resulting in a more durable finish. Some exterior paints have primer already included and additional primer is not needed in this case.
How Often Should You Paint Wood Siding?
In normal outdoor conditions, wood siding will need to be painted every 3 to 7 years, depending on the elements that your home is regularly exposed to. For areas with little direct sunlight, you should expect to paint your wood siding every 4 to 10 years.
Using high-quality paint and primer will extend the time that your paint will last on your wood siding. With 2 coats of high-quality paint over a coat of primer, your paint job may last anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Paint Wood Siding?
Early fall and early summer seasons provide the best conditions for painting. These early seasons have less chance of rain and are less likely to have big changes in temperature from day to night, allowing the paint to cure properly for the best results.
Temperatures from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit are best, with little or no humidity. Colder temperatures will not allow the paint to dry properly and warmer temperatures can cause your paint to dry too quickly. This could negatively affect the finished look of your project.
Final Thoughts
Painting the siding of your home is an easy way to update the entire look of the exterior of your home. Choosing the right shade for the exterior of your home can be an overwhelming job. We hope we have helped to narrow down some of your choices for siding color with this selection of some of the most popular siding colors, making your exterior decorating journey a success.
Before you go, be sure to check out these other guides that may be helpful to you: