When you’re painting your home’s exterior, testing paint colors is a must! That’s why we compiled these 5 tips for testing home exterior paint colors. Even with a brick&batten design and your suggested paint colors in hand, we ALWAYS recommend testing in your environment. There are so many factors that change the way paint color looks on exteriors… including fixed elements around the house and the final combination of colors you choose.
Read on for our top tips for testing paint colors on your home’s exterior.
At brick&batten, we’re the leaders in virtual exterior design. We started this business because we wanted to see what a home we were renovating would look like with a new paint color before committing to the time, effort, and cost of painting — so this is the root of what we do! Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
#1 // Use a white or light color background/edge
Before making your final selection, be sure to test colors on a white or very light surface. This is so you don’t end up visually comparing your new color with your current color. To do this, you may paint a white or light color border around the edge of your paint sample.
Look at the photo below. It’s the same shade of yellow painted on a white background and black background. The color appears different because of the colors around it.
#2 // Isolate a large area
The bigger the test area, the better. Choose a spot between two windows so the color ends on both sides and it’s easier to distinguish. This will make it easier for you to see how the new color will appear. Keep in mind that if you paint in the middle of a large expanse area you will notice your old color influencing how you see the new shade.
#3 // Paint the correct surface
Be sure you are painting the correct surface. That means if you are painting your brick, then do your test on brick. If painting siding, then test on siding. Painting your trim? Test on the trim! Different cladding absorbs paint differently, so the color will look different on different materials.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here. You can also use our paint color visualizer to see different colors on your home exterior before you commit.
#4 // Compare against a shade up or a shade down
If you like the shade you tested but just want to see a tad darker or lighter, ask the paint supplier to mix it 50–75% darker or lighter. Anything less than 50% and you will not be able to tell much of a difference.
#5 // Observe and evaluate
Observe your large paint swatches at different times throughout the day. As the light changes, you may notice different undertones and subtle shifts in color. The goal is to choose a paint color that looks beautiful in morning light, bright afternoon sun, shaded areas of your exterior, and the softer glow of evening.
In the photo above, you can see Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray in sunny morning light and again at sunset. The paint color remains the same, but the changing natural light affects how warm, cool, light, or dark it appears.
Testing exterior paint colors
In conclusion, it’s just as easy to choose the right color as the wrong color! Of course, you want to get it right the first time. Testing will ensure your happiness and make your investment worthwhile. Follow the 5 tips above for the most effective method of testing your paint options or selections.
