Everyone loves a makeover. We spend hours watching home decorating and remodeling shows on cable TV, hire fitness coaches to help us reshape our bodies and flock to fashion gurus to update our wardrobes and our hairstyles. The average homeowner is no exception. We’d all love to make our home the standout on the block, the envy of our neighborhood. And, now that we’re staying in our homes longer, increasing curb appeal and upgrading our property makes financial sense, as well.
If you’re in the market for a new roof or just want to give your home a fresh new look, think about starting your exterior home makeover from the top down. Although it’s often the last thing we think of, from the curb, your roof may be about half of what’s visible to passersby.
Until recently, conversations about roofing choices usually focus on performance, and roofs usually came in shades of gray or brown, uninspiring colors that were just ignored when choosing paint colors. But that’s changed, with new roofing products like Owens Corning Duration Series Shingles Designer Colors Collection. These fashion forward shingles incorporate vibrant, multi-colored granules that can serve as the inspiration for your exterior color scheme and offer options for ongoing updates or future makeovers.
Designer Collection color palettes were inspired by nature: a basketful of berries warming in the summer sun, in the Summer Harvest blend, for example. Close up, the shingles come alive with color and contrast. Viewed from ground level, the colored granules can unify your home’s architectural details, setting the stage for a perfectly color-coordinated exterior.
Renowned color guru Leatrice Eiseman suggests that homeowners consider
an exterior makeover that color coordinates shingles with paint and
trim color. Eiseman, who’s the executive director of the Pantone Color
Institute, knows what she’s talking about.
In addition to
consulting internationally, especially on the emotional aspect of
color, Eiseman predicts color trends for industries ranging from
fashion to furniture, zeroing in on the hot shades for each season. The
author of seven books about the impact of color in our world, Eiseman
worked with Owens Corning to develop inspirational color palettes for
each of its new Designer Colors Collection shingles. The palettes are
intended to inspire homeowners by demonstrating a range of color
options for house paint, trim and other exterior accents, all designed
to coordinate with the new designer shingle colors.
Eiseman
says, “If your home is in need of an update, and you’re in the market
for a new roof, consider color coordination for a makeover that will
make your home a standout and add curb appeal at a whole new level. You
can make the most of your home’s best features by choosing a color
palette that coordinates everything from shutters to shingles. When
your home’s exterior elements work in harmony, the look will be
vibrant, cohesive and undeniably spectacular.”
While a new roof
is a long-term investment, homeowners can easily change paint and
accent colors over time, finding inspiration in the array of colors in
the Designer Colors Collection shingles. With seven sophisticated
palettes, the shingles offer homeowners many options for adding color
and style to their homes.
To discover your color personality and choose colors that will help bring out the best in your home, start by taking the Roofing Color Compass Quiz at roofingcolorcompass.com.
The interactive quiz helps you find the colors that match your personality and can help make the most of your home makeover. Capturing preferences on everything from favorite colors to feng shui, the quiz is fast, fun and surprisingly insightful.
Still need a little nudge to get started with your exterior makeover? Here are some hints for coordinating colors for your home’s roof, paint and trim details.
- Select complementary colors to highlight the unique style of your home or to focus attention on materials, special details or landscaping features.
- Consider using darker colors as contrasting accents for windows, doors and other unique architectural elements.
- Lighter colors, with less contrast, can help simplify your home’s lines, making it appear larger.
- Choose colors that respect the architecture of your home. Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Greek revival, even American foursquare and bungalow-style homes all have conventional color palettes.
- Take a long look at the natural setting of your home. Woodland settings suggest earth tones. Bright colors look best in sunny climates. Be sure to check for neighborhood association restrictions on color choices.
- Brick, concrete, slate and stone elements aren’t likely to be changed, so add accent and trim colors that complement or coordinate with them.
Provided by Family Features
