Ramping up curb appeal
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Three ways to update your home’s exterior
This is the first of a two-part series. Next week, we look at landscaping.
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If the exterior of your home is looking tired and dated, it’s time for a refresh. Don’t know where to start? We look at three investments that will make a big difference to your home’s curb appeal.
NO. 1: INSTALL NEW ROOFING
It’s all the rage in interior décor and now colour drenching is extending outdoors, with a growing number of homeowners choosing monochromatic colour schemes for their home’s exterior and choosing roofing to match.
“While black is still the most popular roofing choice, coppery brown tones are gaining traction in exterior home décor – from outdoor furniture to garden accessories – and so we’re seeing a movement towards consumers choosing these shades for their roofs as well,” says Nathalie Lambert, marketing director of roofing and building material company BP Canada.
Colour drenching is a design technique that involves painting a space in a single colour or a closely related range of tones to crate a monochromatic look that feels luxurious, Lambert says.
Still, many homeowners prefer multi-coloured exteriors. “Copper, tan and orange-toned hues have become increasingly popular in the world of interior design, so it’s no surprise that it’s now being incorporated on home exteriors as well,” Lambert says of
copper brown roofs. Meanwhile, sales of multi-toned grey and green shingles – both often incorporating copper highlights – are also up, she reports.
A roof makes up one third of a home’s exterior, so the colour you choose will make a difference. Consider your style and identify the look you want for your house. Grey or blue tones deliver a more urban, contemporary feel, while copper, browns and greens deliver a nature-infused vibe. Black and grey are safe choices for a classic, timeless look.
Decide if you want a monochromatic effect for your exterior or if you prefer a hue that contrasts with the rest of your home’s features. If your façade has beige, cream and brown tones, for example, a copper roof will provide a designer look. Finally, consider personal taste. Search through home décor and roofing websites, browse through magazines and walk around your neighborhood to identify roofing colours you like best. Create a board of ideas highlighting your top picks to help with your selection.
NO. 2: STAIN WOODEN SURFACES
Staining wood decks and fences is another way to update your home’s exterior.
BeautiTone has revealed its exterior colour of the year: Briarwood WST26-9, a refined, muted brown. The semi-transparent stain is designed to enhance the beauty of wooden surfaces, bringing out their natural character.
“This year, Canadians are going back to their roots of natural, enhanced browns in their backyards,” said Kristen Gear, lead design and colour specialist, BeautiTone Paint and Home Products. “As outdoor spaces continue to evolve into essential parts of the home, Briarwood offers the perfect balance of style and durability, bringing a fresh and on-trend update to any exterior.”
NO. 3: PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR
Painting your front door in a fabulous colour is one of the simplest ways to express your style and add curb appeal to your home and since it’s a relatively small area compared to the rest of the house, you can afford to take risks and be more adventurous, advises Benjamin Moore colour and design expert Sharon Grech.
Of course, the number of paint colours available to choose from can be overwhelming. “A good start is to determine whether you want the door to blend in as a more subtle accent or pop with a high contrast colour,” she says. “Most any colour will work. It’s the intensity of the hue that you really need to pay attention to; ensuring that it harmonizes with the overall look of the home.”
Assess fixed materials, such as the roof, brick, stone and siding and consider the intensity of their colours. “Dark coloured brick or stone can overwhelm a pale door, so you may consider a more saturated shade for the door in this case,” says Grech. Hale Navy HC-154 and Essex Green HC-188 are two popular deep hues for front doors, she notes.
“On the other hand, if your home’s exterior cladding is mainly a pale tone such as white or off-white, even a pastel hue on the door will contrast and make a statement.” Some popular lighter options for front doors include Smoke 2122-40 and Concord Ivory HC-12.
“As you’re narrowing down your paint colour options, be sure to view your selections outside to see the true effect of natural light before making your final choice.
Different intensity and exposure of light can make the same colour appear quite differently on your front door than on the house across the street,” Grech says.
Sheen matters. “The most popular sheen for front doors is a soft gloss as it contrasts against the lower sheen that is typical of most cladding,” she says. “While you are at it, why not bring that expressive door colour inside to create an accent in the foyer or front hall? Even if all the other doors in the vicinity are neutral, let the curb appeal that emanates from the front door influence your interior space too.”
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