How to Choose the right Paint for your Home

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One of the most influential characteristics that will define theoutside of your home is the paint you choose. There are a widevariety of paint options available in every color of the rainbow, andthere are many different factors to consider when choosing the rightpaint. Because of the cost, time and effort in applying new paint, itis very important to study all of the important factors beforesettling on the right exterior paint for you.
The first thing most people are going to consider is the color ofpaint. Remember that it can be very difficult to tell how an entirehouse will look from just a small swatch.If possible, try to view either another house with the same color orat least a picture in a book or online so that you can see how itlooks while actually on a home. Alternatively, a color guide ishelpful; Southern Living provides one such guide via a gallery ofcolor combinations selected by top architects.
Better Homes and Gardens recommends considering other parts of thehome that are a certain color and cannot be changed when choosing thecolor to paint your home. For instance, you may want to match a roofor a garage that cannot be painted. You can look at other elements inyour yard that might influence the colors.
Of course think about the colors that you like. Remember that notall beautiful colors will look nice on a house. Sometimes they willlook brighter because of how much area they are on. Also some colorsmay make you feel a certain way. For instance, you may feel calm witha very light blue or green home. In addition, Bob Tedeschi of The NewYork Times recommends revisiting a patch of paint at different timesof day to see how changes in light affect the appearance.
Some people look at other homes in their neighborhood to help themdecide on a paint color. If your community has a home ownersassociation or HOA, then you might be limited in your color choices.Make sure to check with this before painting a color that isunacceptable to them. Even if not, you may not want your house tostand out with an overly bright or unattractive color.
There are many other factors that you should consider beforechoosing the one for you. For example, The Learning Channel statesusing the same kind of base paint as what is being painted over is agood decision. Moreover, choosing an environmentally friendly isrecommended by the paint supply company BenjaminMoore; some paints are better for the environment than others.
You should also look at fade resistance. You do not want to paintonly to have the color changed to a duller version. You can readreviews and ratings on the Internet to see if certain paints arebetter or worse with fade resistance. You also want paint that hassome resistance to mildew, mold and ultraviolet radiation.
Some paint is simply more durable than others and will lastlonger. Again look at ratings to see that. Especially if you will beputting paint on yourself you might want one that applies easily.
There are many different factors to consider when choosingexterior paint. Look at all of the above considerations.