Hi, we're considering buying a bungalow that was built in 1930. It currently is a drab brown w/yellow trim (not my favorite combo)We would most likely do a new vinyl siding. The replacement windows are chocolate brown and they're fine and we'd want to keep them. My question is what color combo would go good with the windows? Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bosstone128,
Craftsman and Bungalow homes are generally painted in warm, rich colors. With your dark brown windows you have many options along those lines. The problem you'll have is making vinyl siding look authentic to the style of home. It would be better, if the siding is okay, to scrape, repair, and paint it. If this isn't feasible just choose the warmest tone you can to complement the window color.
Posts: 386 | Location: St Louis, MO (Zone 6) | Registered: Oct 31, 2007
Don't forget to take into account the color of the neighboring homes and whether or not there is a homeowner's association or city code that must be followed.
There is a nice neighborhood in a city near us, where the homeowners painted their house a bright PURPLE color. Most of the other homes are neutrals, beiges, yellows, etc., then there's this BIG, GIANT PURPLE house!
Makes you wonder if the homeowners did that out of spite for their neighbors or what the he-- they were even thinking.
It's your prerogative, of course, to paint whatever color you choose, but be considerate and keep colors like that to the inside of your home where YOU can enjoy it everyday and NOT where your neighbors suffer for it daily.
That's too funny. I used to live on a street with a neon TEAL house a few doors down. The color made the green plants look sick...well, actually, the color made ALL of us sick. How right you are!
Posts: 386 | Location: St Louis, MO (Zone 6) | Registered: Oct 31, 2007
Hi, Thanks so much for the replies. I thought maybe using vinyl might take away from the authentic style of the house but the problem is, it's cedar shake and I just don't like the way that looks. Maybe painting it could change the look enough for me but I'm just not sure. It just looks a little run down but maybe it's just the color. I wish I could afford another siding but there are other areas of the house that will also need to be addressed. The realtor happened to point out what great shape the cedar shake was in. I like the idea of keeping it authentic and would like to do that....just not sure. Thanks again for your help!
Don't we all know "That" house! Neighbors who have a cedar shake house, well the top half was dark brown cedar shake and the bottom a blonde brick, had a pretty house. The adult daughter talked them into painting the cedar shake pumpkin orange. Now everyone knows that house!
Posts: 176 | Location: Western PA | Registered: Jan 07, 2005
If the cedar is in good shape your best bet would be to paint it. It's a very expensive material and a classic choice so your resale value may go down if the new siding doesn't look 'right'. Just be careful when you powerwash it...you can easily damage the shakes with too much force.
It is amazing what paint can do to unify and brighten a house. To test your reaction to paint instead of new siding perhaps you can get a gallon of your favorite color and paint part of one side. Because it's not a smooth surface you might consider renting a paint sprayer to make the job easier.
To help clean up the sometimes shaggy look of shake siding I would paint the corner strips of wood in a contrasting color. If you don't have these trim pieces it wouldn't be too hard to reto-fit them.
The choice is yours, of course. Perhaps you could take a few photos and post them so we can all stare at your 'drab' siding.
Oh...I just remembered that you have't bought it yet. I don't think the seller would be too happy with the paint idea. Sorry about that!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: stl_mary,
Posts: 386 | Location: St Louis, MO (Zone 6) | Registered: Oct 31, 2007
I had to reply this, even if I'm not answering the question. We have a house around her that is Pepto Bismol pink. It even has a metal roof that is a reddish pink color. It is known as the Pepto Bismol house, and every bit of the outside is this color, not just trim, but ALL of it. What's so funny about this is, there are two brothers that live in this house and their last name is Begay.
