To some, a stately home with weathered paint is the picture of romance. However, the frustration of chipping, peeling, and faded paint can soon lose its appeal as you try to keep your home looking well-maintained. If you’re planning to paint this summer, choose paint colors that stand up well over the years.

Choose Color That Will Last

Over time, your house will be exposed to the elements. Rain, snow, frost, and sun can all change the look of your paint job. When you’re looking at paint colors, go with what you love, but keep longevity in mind as well. Contrary to what you might think, very bright colors, such as red and yellow, tend to fade quickly. Earthy colors like brown, gold, black, and white keep their color best. Green and blue fall between these two extremes.

Prepare the Ground

Whatever paint color you choose, you want to make sure that it lasts to the best of its ability. This means that you need to do the preparation. Before you or someone else paints, check the walls for moisture penetration or other concerns, and fix them before you begin. Make sure that walls are cleaned and sanded. Most importantly, check to see what kind of paint has been on the house before. Placing a latex paint on top of layers of old oil-based paint can cause chipping and peeling. Placing an oil-based paint on a wall that’s damp, expanding, and contracting can also cause problems. It’s worthwhile to get an expert opinion on the paint you need before you invest, even if you plan to do much of the work yourself.

Avoid Fashion Trends

Do you remember the moss greens, bright oranges, and mustard yellows of the seventies? Love them or hate them, colors define the fashion of an era. The same holds true for house paint. When you’re making your paint color choice, choose colors that last through the years. Choose a color that you love, and you’ll be happier with your choice over time.

The one exception is when you’re trying to sell your home. When you’re preparing your home for a sale, think about what fits in with your neighborhood. You may love turquoise and fuchsia, but if all of the homes in your neighborhood are painted cream and brown, go with a similar color scheme to ensure that you can sell your home more easily.

Keep Paint Colors Lively

After you’ve added a new paint job, basic maintenance can ensure that your paint continues to look beautiful long after painting has been completed. Make sure that you inspect your roofing when you paint to ensure that leaks and pooling water do not compromise your new paint job. Add gutter guards and repair gutter systems to avoid leakage, algae, moss, and mold.

When you’re working on your home this summer, contact Harry Helmet. Our gutter guard systems help reduce the wear and tear on your home, making long-term maintenance easier and more pleasant.

Written by Del Thebaud