The exterior of your home can make a huge impact on not only the visual appeal of your house, but also the way it feels. The right colors can make you feel comfortable, cozy and satisfied with how your house looks. That’s why it’s so important to choose the best exterior accent colors for your white house.
We know just how hard it can be to decide on a good color when there are so many options out there.
Here are our top six accent colors for your home.
Modern white is a great color choice for a white house, especially if you're looking to give it an updated look.
This shade of white will make your home seem fresh and new without being too trendy. If you have an older home that's in need of some love and care, Modern White is the perfect way to clean up its facade while still preserving the integrity of its original design.
Unlike other shades of white that are often used as neutral colors (such as linen white), modern white can be paired with just about anything—from bright blues like Bluebonnet or Azure Cotton to rich greens like Emerald Forest or Amethyst Orchid—and still look good on any palette. This makes Modern White a great option for those who want their homes' exterior paint accent colors to complement their interior decorating schemes rather than clash with them.
While a crisp grey may sound like it would be more suited to the interior of a home, it's actually a great exterior paint color. The color can be used to create an interesting contrast between the white exterior and crisp grey siding or trim, which creates an interesting effect.
This accent color is also neutral enough to work with any type of house, especially a white home, but still has some contrast for those who want their house to stand out from others on their street. It is especially attractive when used on homes that have large windows or a lot of natural light coming into the home because they help offset some of its darker tones.
The gray family of colors includes shades like dove, silver, ash and slate. These are all neutral colors that work well with any other shade because they offer enough contrast to offset each other without being too bright or dark.
Beige is a neutral color that works well with just about any other colors as an accent color. Beige can also be used as a primary exterior color on its own or paired with another neutral, such as gray or cream. It's also a good choice for homes with a lot of natural light because it won't reflect too much heat back into the house. The main drawback of beige is that it can look bland and boring if you don't have any accent colors on your home to break up the color. This is especially true when used as a primary exterior paint color because it won't give your home much personality or visual interest.
Forest green is a dark green color that looks great as an accent or background color. It's a neutral, almost yellowish-green, which gives it an earthy feel. Forest green is lighter than hunter green and can be used on its own in smaller spaces. If you want to use more than one color on your home, this would be a good choice for the area where people will be most of the time (patios/ decks) because it's less bold than many other green accent colors for your home.
If you're looking for a bold color that will bring warmth and texture to any home, Earthy Browns are one of your best options. In addition to the rich hues they offer, they also have a variety of undertones which can be used to create different looks. For example, yellows and taupes tend to be brighter and warmer while browns with red undertones are more muted and cooler in feel.
Earthy browns are especially well-suited for modern homes because their neutral tones allow them to flow seamlessly with other elements in a space without overpowering them or distracting from other aspects of design—the perfect choice if you have several different styles competing for attention!
Navy blue is one of the best exterior accent colors for a white house or any light-colored house, as it contrasts nicely, like forest green does.
If you have a large house with lots of windows, navy blue is an excellent choice as an exterior accent color. The dark color will make the outside seem darker and smaller, which makes it appear more open and inviting. This color is perfect for properties that have a lot of outdoor space or large lawns. The dark hue may be too overwhelming to some if used throughout your exterior design scheme.
The downside is that navy works best with larger houses because it makes them appear smaller than they actually are! So if you live in an apartment building or condo townhouse in Colorado but still want something bolder, navy is among the best exterior accent colors for white homes.
Choosing the right exterior paint color and accents for your home is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose the right exterior paint color:
We hope that this article has given you some inspiration for your next paint job. Whether you choose to go with a bold color or one of our more subtle suggestions, remember that the most important thing is to pick something that you love and make sure it’s going to last.
Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting (CCRP) is a highly rated Colorado painting contractor that has over 39 years of industry experience within both Residential and Commercial properties.
A primary focus of Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting is treating its customers with respect, integrity, and clear communication. The painting industry is full of contractors ranging from independent contractors to large-scale companies and we fall right in the middle. We are here to provide a professional service that you would expect from any large company, but with the customer service and support of a small local business. Our prices are competitive and we strive to exceed your expectations.
Let us take the pain out of the painting and show you how maintaining and beautifying your home or property can be uncomplicated and worry-free. We know how to help you pick the best exterior accent color for your white home (or any color).
As you’ve been getting home from work lately, you’ve probably realized that your home’s once vibrant color is starting to look a little shabby. You are itching for an opportunity to get some fresh paint on ye ol' home. But the heat! It’s been too hot outside lately to even consider painting it. Then you start thinking, "Maybe this is a good time to paint my home." What exactly is the best temperature to paint the exterior of your house?
Finding the best temperature to paint your home’s exterior is fundamental for a quality, work of art kind of a job. So, when is it too hot or too cold to paint your home’s exterior?
These are a couple of house painting questions many homeowners ask themselves throughout the fall and mid year months.
Whether you are tackling the project or are hiring someone, these are a few things to consider on when painting the exterior of your house.
Like any big home improvement decision, you will want to do some studying to determine the best paint decision for your home. Prior to picking your favorite paint color, you’ll want to understand what sort of paint your home really needs. Some paints dry faster than others, and some paints can endure the weather changes a bit better than others. Both of these are big factors to consider when thinking about time and temperature, as Colorado can sometimes be unpredictable, weather-wise.
Latex paint has been a common choice of paint since the 1950s. Latex paint is often water-based which is good for the environment and yourself.
Latex paint is strong, mildew-resistant, and adequately thick enough to usually get the job done in one coat. Latex paint is easier to apply and has a much quicker drying time when compared to other paints.
Acrylic paint can withstand direct sunlight far better than latex. The chemicals used in the paint gives more elasticity which allows acrylic paint to expand and contract as temperatures change.
While latex paint is water-based, acrylic is chemical-based which makes it harder to fix if a mistake arises.
Oil-based paint dries to a smooth, hard surface that stands up well to the Colorado weather. Oil-based paints are made from a strong resin which makes the paint incredibly durable to sun damage.
The downside to using oil-based paints is that they are more likely to fade or crack than acrylic and latex paints. Oil-based paints are not widely used today because of the hazardous fumes it emits when wet.
Oil-based paints are also very difficult to get clean once spilled on something it wasn’t supposed to.
The problem with outdoor temperatures being either too high or too low is that your paint might not bind to other materials properly.
Direct sunlight and heat can affect paint drying and curing. Hot temperatures mean the paint dries almost instantly when applied.
Latex paint is water-based and needs sufficient time for the water to naturally evaporate for the paint to cure. When the paint doesn’t cure properly, it can lead to bubbling, cracking, or peeling of your paint once it dries.
Painting your house at lower temperatures will greatly impact your paint’s drying time and overall consistency.
So, if you are trying to brave the cold and paint your house, don’t paint outside when it’s below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. If done at lower temperatures, it will cause your paint to cure incorrectly. The results may leave you with ugly bumps/bubbles in your paint when spring arrives. Worse yet, it can lower the lifespan of your paint job.
Colorado is infamous for its unconventional and eccentric weather patterns. It can rain, snow, or hail just about out of nowhere sometimes.
As a general rule, paint should only be applied to dry surfaces. So even after the rain, snow, or hail; you need to allow plenty of time for the exterior of your home to dry before applying any paint. This allows the paint to not get washed off.
If there is any precipitation in the forecast, you’ll need to hold off on painting. Typically, you’ll need 4-8 hours of dry time (minimum) after it rains for things to completely dry out.
In Colorado, the best time of year to paint your house is between late April and early October. Temperatures between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit are going to be the most optimal. That being said, there is some leeway on temperature, with about 10 degrees on both sides of the spectrum.
Although there are great days and temperatures to paint the exterior of your house in just about every month of the year, the window of opportunity really begins in late April. This will allow you to avoid most of the precipitation associated with our spring season.
The mid-summer is another one of the best times as far as temperature goes to paint your home in Colorado. With low precipitation, warm temperatures, and plenty of sunshine, the season allows your paint to dry and cure as it was meant to.
The window to paint the exterior of your home closes in early October. After this time of year (for the most part), the temperature drops too low for painting.
Nothing sets the scene for summertime fun quite like a beautiful deck at your home. Wooden decks yearn for barbecues and family and friend get-togethers. You are a part of a glorious American tradition. Having a deck adds a layer of personality and life to the exterior of your home. Your deck is an extension of the rest of your home. So when you see peeling paint and washed-out stain on the wood, it can put the brakes on the summertime celebrations.
As I’m sure you’ve realized, having a deck at your home requires a decent amount of maintenance to remain a polished-looking beauty. Wood can become painful to look at if left unprotected in the elements. Your deck will warp, crack, and twist without the proper protection. The sun isn’t especially friendly to your deck either. Ultra-violet rays discolor the deck over time, whether it’s unprotected, painted, or stained. The sun is also responsible for the breakdown of the wood’s lignin. Lignin is the natural glue that holds its fibers together.
Since you’ve noticed the paint is peeling and just starting to lose its overall shine, you start asking yourself, should I paint my deck?
Whether you choose to paint or stain your deck, the decision comes down to the look you want, what kind of protection you need, and how much time and energy you want to spend on applying the paint or stain. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between painting and staining your deck.
Whether you decide to paint or stain your deck depends on the appearance you desire, the level of protection you require, and how much time and effort you want to put into the painting or staining process.
No matter which route you ultimately decide to choose, the absolute first step in the process is to prep your deck. This includes sweeping away any trace amounts of dirt and debris, scrubbing the wood of your deck with a deck-specific cleaner, and smoothing away rough patches with sandpaper.
Ensure that any rotten wood boards are fixed and replaced, that all nails and screws are tight, and that any holes are filled with exterior-grade wood filler. For paint to adhere correctly and for stains to cure, a clean surface is necessary.
Clean your deck, then allow it to completely dry. You will need to strip and sand your deck if it is already painted and seems old from use and abuse.
There are many reasons why you should paint your deck, but be aware that by doing so, the paint hides the distinctive details in the wood that give it character. Painting your deck has more color options and lasts longer than staining.
Many homeowners like the uniform appearance that paint offers. If your deck is especially old and worn, this might be a nice alternative. Paint totally conceals the grain of the wood, whereas stain seeps into the wood, giving your deck a tidy, sharp appearance. If your deck is more aged, paint can conceal faults (such as cracks and other blemishes) far better than stain, giving it the appearance of a brand-new deck.
By selecting an organic color scheme, such as taupes, browns, sand-colored tones, and shades of green that mirror the great outdoors, you can still get a natural effect with paint even though you are hiding the wood grain.
Because of its consistent application, paint provides your deck a more streamlined, minimalist aesthetic for more contemporary homes, whereas stains allow a wood's subtleties and differences to shine through. Additionally, there are additional color options with paints, and you may even choose a paint.
Oil-based paint
These paints offer moisture protection and frequently have extended shelf lives. They are more resistant to normal wear and tear than latex because of their strength. Oil-based paints often provide a smooth finish and have good surface adherence.
Latex paint
The ideal places to utilize latex paints are in environments with higher temperatures since they resist UV fading. These paints dry faster than oil-based paints, emit less smell, and are resistant to cracking and chipping.
Your deck is shielded from the elements by staining it, preserving and enhancing the wood’s original, natural beauty. You may emphasize wood's distinctive qualities and lovely grain. For your deck, you'll probably choose a clear sealer or a semi-transparent stain, but stains can provide a lot of options:
Solid stains hide the majority of the wood's natural features, much like with paint. It produces a darker, more uniform appearance.
Semi-transparent stains offer a hint of color while letting the wood's distinctive qualities and patterns show through. They also offer weather-proofing and UV protection.
This kind of stain works best on decks made of beautiful wood, including rich cedar and redwood, where you want to preserve the wood's natural color and highlight its beauty. To prevent the wood from fading over time, certain transparent wood preservatives provide UV protection. To prevent the wood from growing mold and mildew, the majority also contain fungicide. Additionally, they have less wax than a transparent water repellent or sealer.
Cracks are not filled by staining. A wooden deck can have defects, small holes, and grooves filled with paint. Because stain is thinner than paint and won't do much to cover cracks and splinters, you can't rely on it as a repair technique.
Have you ever walked through your neighborhood and said to yourself, “Oh, I love that fence!” or, “That house could use more landscaping,” or even, “Why on Earth would they pick that color?!” Us, too. You might not have realized it before, but these features of a house have actually been coined as a phrase: curb appeal. Here are some ideas on how to add curb appeal to your home (within a budget).
Curb appeal is the initial impression or the description of the feeling you get as you glance at a house, take in its appearance, and maybe even imagine what it might be like to live there and what you would do differently, if it were your own. With curb appeal, the options are endless and fun to imagine as you cruise past the neighbors and take it all in.
If you’re a homeowner on the market, understanding why it’s something that should be on your radar has never been more important.
Adding curb appeal to your home can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be.
Here are a few of the improvements you can make to your home, all depending on how far you wish to take your renovations:
First step: Take a walk around your house with fresh eyes. Try to look at your home as a neighbor or passing stranger might. What is outdated? What needs to be mended? Are there any major projects you’ve been putting off that would help your house reach its full potential for potential buyers?
Second: take into account what your budget is for these kinds of fixes. Some are as cheap as simple yard work, while others can cost hundreds. It’s up to you how much effort you’re willing to put in, but there are plenty of crafty approaches to managing your curb appeal without breaking the bank.
Third: make a plan of attack and get to work. Decide what you can and can’t live without doing and create a plan for obtaining materials, deciding days of dedicated labor time and watch as your masterpiece unfolds.
With all of this being said, there are a few options from the list above that we highly recommend, all with one common denominator: paint.
Paint is the most aesthetically pleasing and effective way to dress up your home's appearance – inside and out – and achieve results that provide prospective buyers and neighbors alike with the wow-factor you want!
If nothing else, we strongly suggest recruiting professional help for all your painting needs.
Deciding what color you want to paint your house, window, trim, or any other feature of your home is almost as important as deciding to paint itself. Choosing an unappealing or distracting color could be worse than not painting at all.
Below are a few recommended tones and palette trending that you can use to freshen up the exterior of your house:
Whatever tone you end up going with, we strongly recommend hiring a trained professional that has experience rather than attempting to re-paint without any prior experience.
Painting your home will always add curb appeal and more value. It may be an initial investment with a pricey cost up front, but the return is worth the initial spend. On average, repainting nets a 152% return on investment.
Even if you don’t want to paint the exterior of your home, picking a weekend to repaint even one room of your house holds high ROI for your listing. Repainting interior walls increases home value by an average of 5% and nets an ROI of 107%.
Painting is always a good idea if you notice any of these signs before listing:
Curb appeal is the instant upgrade to your home’s first impression that could be the problem solver to a long and tedious journey in selling your home.
When choosing the best paint color for high-traffic areas of your home or office, consider which color and finish will be best suited for the room and its function. Areas that receive a lot of foot traffic such as entryways, kitchens, stairways, and bathrooms are susceptible to wear and tear, which showcases imperfections such as chips, dirt, scratches, and scuffs - especially if the improper color or paint finish is used.
Maintaining high-traffic areas in your home can be challenging, plus regular touch-ups are time-consuming and can be costly if handled by professionals (which we highly recommend). So you want to go with a color and finish that stays durable and that can be easily maintained. Lucky for you we’ve listed the colors and finishes that will withstand wear and tear caused by kids, pets, and guests.
The first thought when painting any room is choosing a color. You want the color you choose to match other design elements in your space, but you also want it to withstand the potential mess that's to come. This selection of paint colors for your home or workplace serves as practical yet stylish, perfect for any office environment or any multi-functional space in your home.
Here are some colors we recommend for high-traffic areas:
Warm colors like burnt orange, yellow, brown, and spicy reds are great because they can be uplifting and provide a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. Choosing a color in this palette will also ensure high-traffic areas, which are very susceptible to dirt and damage, always look fresh due to their ability to conceal imperfections and signs of wear and tear. Warm spice tones often go well in kitchens, bathrooms, or other multi-functional family spaces such as living rooms.
Choosing a shade of grey can be a bold and edgy choice, but it can also easily hide or camouflage dirt and stains, which is why it’s great for highly-used areas of your home such as entryways, hallways, and other transition areas in your home. Colors in this family also complement bold colors such as red or navy. Not only are colors in this palette practical, but they also do a great job at defining a space.
Chair rails are a great feature for high-traffic areas like hallways or playrooms. They showcase a formal and traditional design but they also serve a purpose. Historically, they were used to protect walls when chairs backed up against them. It’s great for common areas such as dining rooms or kitchens. For high-traffic areas, It is suggested to use lighter color above the chair rails and a darker color beneath the walls to disguise fingerprints and smudges.
Warm shades of purple or violet can be a great choice for busy areas such as the kid’s bedroom or office. Not only is it a fun color, but it’ll keep up with the mess that’s guaranteed to come with little ones. Shades of purple are also known to produce feelings of calm, serenity, and inner peace, making it a perfect color for workspaces, or even an adult bedroom! Make sure to choose softer shades without too much of a black tint.
Choosing paint does just end with picking a color, you must consider the type of finish that will keep your paint job looking fresh. The general rule is, the glossier the finish, the more washable and durable your paint job will be.
On the other hand, a flatter paint finish is not only less washable, but is also prone to discoloration or even comes off completely when washed.
If you are trying to conceal dirt, flat finishes are better at disguising marks. It’s much harder to conceal marks with glossy paint because it’s so reflective. However, it is more durable and is easier to clean than walls with a flat finish.
When it comes to heavily used rooms in your home, we recommend going with a high-gloss finish. Paint with high-gloss finishes contains a smoother film, which makes it more stain-resistant. The smooth surface makes it easy to wipe clean and dirt is easily removed with soap and water. Satin and semi-gloss finishes have also been a reliable choice for homeowners as they are slightly washable without being too shiny.
Eggshell has a lower luster than satin finishes and is slightly less durable. The soft sheen can be accentuated or toned down with different types of lighting. Because the film of this finish is not as smooth, dirt and stains can be very difficult to remove and might require frequent touch-ups to fully disguise signs of wear and tear.
Whatever color or finish you choose, we recommend using scuff-resistant paint that repels marks and dirt without the need for constant cleaning and retouching. Additionally, they’re available in all types of finishes including matte, eggshell, and satin finishes. Popular choices include Benjamin Moore’s SCUFF-X or BHER’s Dynasty. If choosing a matte finish, we recommend looking into these options.
When it comes to choosing the right color for high-traffic areas in your home, it’s best to go with a paint job you know will last for a long time. Paint jobs can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s important to get them right the first time.
Our experts at Colorado Commercial and Residential Painting (CCRP) always use the best materials and are knowledgeable in interior painting for both commercial and residential spaces. We carry over 39 years of industry experience, so it’s no surprise why we’re Denver’s highest-rated interior painters.
All our clients are automatically enrolled in our Service Guarantee. We don’t require any deposits, cancel any time, and we won’t accept final payment until you’re fully satisfied with the job. We’re confident in our ability to execute high-quality painting projects of all magnitudes.
Contact us today at 303-574-1740 for a free estimate!
Together, we’ll breathe new life into your home.
We take the pain out of painting!
Painting the outside of your home is obviously something that you don’t want to screw up. There are a bunch of different factors you’ll want to consider when painting the exterior of your home, such as paint type, paint color, sun exposure, cleaning your walls, but the weather/time of year is another huge thing to consider when painting your exterior. Living in Colorado, you’re definitely aware that it tends to get pretty cold on occasion, especially at nighttime. Cold weather can impact a bunch of different aspects of exterior painting, all of which you’ll want to be aware of to make sure you get a nice, well-painted home.
When it comes to exterior painting in cold weather, there is a lower threshold for when the paint won’t cure correctly.
You have the metaphorical “green light”, so to speak, to paint as long as it’s above 35 degrees.
Many paints with low curing temperatures do not have additives, allowing for a superior finish.
However, this "35 degrees" refers to the lowest temperature you’ll get that day. A common misconception is that you can paint when the daytime high is above 50 and the overnight low is below 35.
However, the daytime high isn’t the only temperature that matters. You should also consider the overnight low, which should remain above 35 degrees since exterior paint typically won’t fully dry and cure in half a day.
Temperature-wise, while you won’t face any problems during the paint application, you will encounter difficulties during the drying stage. Paints stop melding or coalescing if the temperatures are too low, even higher than 35 depending on other factors. Other factors, such as the brushes and type of paint, can make a difference in the results, too.
Uncured paints can also expose your home to unwanted moisture. Dew forms on surfaces overnight because cold air doesn’t retain water vapor as well as warm air. When the moisture evaporates, it causes ingredients to come to the surface, creating stains and hindering adhesion.
For exterior painting in cold weather, the key is to pick a paint designed for cold (35-degree) weather that is water-resistant. The formula lets the paint cure on time and wicks moisture away from your home. These paints have twice the moisture resistance as standard latex coatings.
Many major paint manufacturers offer special paints that are formulated for cold weather.
However, as we discussed earlier, most of these are rated for temperatures no lower than 35 degrees. If you’re going to be exterior painting in cold weather, it's best to use one of these specially-designed paints. A paint that's designed for lower curing temperatures will be much more reliable than standard paints mixed with additives for freeze-resistance or thinned for easier application.
Note that the temperature must be at or above the minimum recommended curing temperature for the entire curing process, not just during application. If you add a fresh coat of paint in 45-degree weather, but then the weather turns colder an hour later, the paint may not cure properly even though it will eventually dry. It’s important to track the weather and especially note the night-time low temperature.
Additionally, you’ll want to use a specialized paintbrush when painting with these cold-weather paints. Because paints are thicker in lower temperatures, it's best to use relatively stiff brushes with nylon, polyester, or Chinex bristles, all of which tend to work well with thicker paint.
Before beginning work on your project, you’ll want to check local forecasts and find a stretch of a few days when temperatures will be their highest and the sun will be out, as both of these will help speed up the drying process. You'll ideally need to have a few days in a row when temperatures don't drop below the minimum for the paint you are using because you also need to factor in drying time for multiple coats.
Plan each coat for times when the sun will be shining on the area you are painting. Direct sunlight quickly raises the surface temperature of most building materials. In hot weather, sunlight should be avoided, but in cold seasons it's preferable to paint in direct sun. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and throughout the day southern-facing walls will get near-constant sun. Painting north-facing or shaded parts of your home might be a little more difficult, so here’s where it’s especially important to understand when a good weather window is.
Generally, spring and fall are the ideal seasons for painting just about everywhere in the country. These seasons are when the weather is warm and the sun is not strong enough to overheat the surface that you are trying to paint. This is especially true in Colorado, where we frequently get very intense sunlight. It's also less likely that you’ll encounter temps dipping too low, so you can ensure that your paint will cure properly and your home will look great.
Ultimately, the best season depends on where you live. For instance, if you live up in the mountains in Colorado, spring still might be a little too cold and you’ll want to wait until summertime. If you’re somewhere in the Denver area, however, you might be able to get away with starting a little earlier in the year or going a little later.
Here at Colorado Painting, we take pride in providing long-lasting exterior paint jobs and reliable customer service. We know Colorado (we're locals) and we know painting – hence the name. We’ve assisted homeowners all across the front range of Colorado for decades. We strive to not only meet but exceed your expectations with every project in terms of quality, price, and communication.
Exterior painting in cold weather can be tricky. At Colorado Painting, we are continuously learning about the best products and application methods so that our customers get the paint job they want when they need it.
Give your home or office a fresh coat today!
Taking on a major paint project can be a pretty arduous task. You have to plan out how much paint you need, do all the prep work, and factor in drying time and multiple coats. However, one thing that a lot of people seem to overlook is the type of paint they use. Depending on the surface you’re painting on and a few other factors, you’ll want to decide between enamel or latex paint. Down below, we’ll compare and contrast enamel vs latex paint, list the pros and cons of each, and discuss where you might want to use each paint type.
The main difference between enamel paint and latex paint is the difference in paint bases.
Enamel paint is oil-based, whereas latex paint is water-based.
Enamel paints, also sometimes referred to as hard-surface paints, dry slow but hard, making them perfect for hard surfaces. Latex or water-based paints are fast-drying paints that are more malleable, making them the appropriate paint for projects where the surface may expand or in locations where movement and flexibility are required.
Now that you know a bit more about the chemical difference between enamel and latex paint, we’ll now take you through a few different factors you’ll want to consider when choosing between enamel and latex paint.
Deciding on the finish that you want for your project will help to narrow down your choice of paint.
Eggshell and matte, or flat finishes are only available with latex paints. This latex finish is considered to be the more modern and sophisticated of the two paint types. Latex paint’s finish is easy to clean and is durable enough to withstand all high traffic areas in your home. Satin finish is available as latex paint but can also come in enamel paint.
Enamel dries with a hard glass-like finish that is easy to clean and hard to stain. Enamel paint is available in satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss. Oil-based/enamel paints are commonly used for trim, cabinets, and other possible high-impact areas due to the high durability of enamel paint’s finish.
The flat or eggshell look of latex paint is a modern look that has become popular for use on interior walls and ceilings in homes.
Flexible yet durable, latex paint is also easy to clean and water-resistant, making it ideal for most interior projects. While durable and waterproof, latex paint remains slightly flexible even when completely dry, making it ill-suited for the exterior climate.
Conversely, the hard glossy finish of enamel paint can look harsh and dated over large areas indoors but is well suited for the outdoor sunshine and elements. Although oil-based or enamel paint tends to fade and yellow over time, exterior oil-based paints in neutral or earth tone colors such as beige, tan, or taupe will be less likely to break down and fade than other oil-based paint colors.
Fumes from any paint in significant amounts can cause lightheadedness, headaches, irritation to the eyes, or trouble breathing.
Latex paint has a milder odor than enamel paint, making it a better choice for walls and bigger projects. Being higher in fumes, oil-based enamel should be reserved for smaller projects or used outdoors when possible.
With either type of paint, if you must be indoors, work in a well-ventilated room or area and open doors or windows to circulate airflow if possible.
Paint additives, extenders, or conditioners can improve your painted project’s overall final look by slightly thinning the paint, elongating the drying time, and allowing the paint to level itself and lay flat for a smooth finish.
Floetrol, shown below, while not the only brand available, is the most popular paint additive for latex paints. Penetrol, also shown below but not the only brand available, is the most popular paint additive for oil-based paints.
Thick even coats of paint can create a smooth brush mark-free finish when the paint is left to level and dry properly.
Latex paint dries faster, so paint must be laid quickly and left to level. Enamel paint takes longer to dry but has a better finish due to the oil-based paint actually absorbing the surface being painted. A longer drying time allows for enamel paint to be manipulated for longer to ensure the perfect thick even coat.
Cleanup of latex paints typically requires only water and a rag. As latex paints are water-based, clean-up is fairly easy.
Enamel paints require paint thinner, such as the one pictured below, for cleaning brushes and surfaces that paint has spilled on.
Oil-based enamel paint’s longer drying time may seem like a disadvantage, but the longer drying time gives you more time to work with the paint for a perfectly smooth coat. Enamel paint also goes onto surfaces smoother and with better coverage coat for coat compared to latex paint.
The smooth thick coats of enamel paint left to level and dry will result in the desired flawless durable finish.
Ease of cleaning is another advantage of enamel paint. A good rule of thumb is the shinier the paint finish, the easier it will be to clean. Enamel paint is also waterproof, making it perfectly suitable for any outdoor condition.
If you want to paint on unprimed drywall or stonewall or brick wall, you should opt for latex paint and a suitable latex paint sprayer.
It also works well on surfaces that have already been painted with other latex or oil-based paints. In addition, it is a more budget-friendly option that works well on large interior walls.
If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and are looking for a commercial or residential paint job, you should look no further than Colorado Painting.
We have been Denver’s best painting company for 38 years, with a proven track record of excellence, no matter what your project calls for. We’ve done it all – interior, exterior, deck staining, and foundation painting, so you can be sure we can handle your job.
Contact us today to discuss your painting needs and get a free estimate.
Your front door is an extremely important part of your home’s curb appeal. Additionally, it’s one of the places of your home’s exterior where you have a little more freedom to get creative in terms of color and design. Why would you want to paint your front door a drab, boring color when you can make your home eye-popping and memorable with a great, unique color that you love? However, perhaps you're struggling with front door paint color ideas.
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You could choose yellow for a bright and happy aesthetic, red for bold and eye-catching, or blue for a nice, relaxed feel.
There are truly endless options as to what to paint your front door, but hopefully, this blog gives you some ideas or inspiration.
Of course, your front door is the first impression for your guests when they enter your home. You can use your front door paint color to impart the mood of your home. Since it’s so important, you might as well make a good first impression!
It might be a little tough to find inspiration for what different front door paint colors you could use. Down below, we’re going to share a few of our favorite front door paint colors, as well as add some tips and tricks for how you can make your front door and home stand apart in your neighborhood.
There are a bunch of different ways you can go when deciding what color you’d like to paint your front door.
In this section, we’ll share a few different things you might want to consider when deciding what color to paint your front door.
You’ll want to consider how much contrast you’d like your front door paint color to have versus the rest of your house.
If you really want your front door to stand out, you’ll probably want to go more contrasting.
For example, you could paint your front door red if your home is dark blue.
However, you could also be more subtle with your level of contrast if you’d like to keep a more elegant and reserved tone. The level of contrast you choose is totally a personal preference, but just be aware that the more contrast there is, the more your front door will stand out.
You’ll also want to factor in the architectural style of your home when deciding what front door paint color would look best.
For example, if you have a very modern home, you could get away with choosing a more outlandish color, like something neon or green. On the other hand, a lime-green door wouldn’t go as well with a more traditional home, as it’d simply look out of place. Matching the color of your front door’s paint to the architectural style of your home is a great way to maintain continuity in your home’s outdoor appearance while still being able to be creative and unique.
You’ll also want to consider your landscaping and your home’s overall curb image.
A well-colored front door can really be a cherry on top when it comes to your home’s curb appeal, but your front yard and other landscaping also play a role. Additionally, if you’re considering really eye-catching front door paint colors, you could use your landscaping to draw the eyes of passers-by to your front door. However, if your landscaping is blocking a lot of your front door, it might not make sense to go with a really creative color, since people won’t really be able to see it. At the end of the day, factoring in your home’s landscaping and the overall image will help you ensure that you’re making the proper choice with your front door paint color.
Windows are important to consider for a few different reasons.
Number one, if you’ve got windows on your front door, they’ll automatically make your door lighter. You could either choose a darker color to add contrast versus the natural light or choose a lighter color that will complement and accentuate the natural brightness. The same goes for the windows near your front door- the larger they are, the brighter they’ll make your home appear. Having this knowledge can help you be aware of what effect you’re looking to create with your front door paint color.
Knowing the basics of color theory could really help you decide what vibe you’re looking for when it comes to your front door.
Color theory just refers to the fact that different colors have different psychological impacts on people. Down below, we’ll give a brief dive into the psychological impacts of different colors you might consider for your front door:
Red: Several scientific studies have found that red is a stimulating color, so it increases heart rate and boosts blood flow. This paint color is striking and eye-catching, and can really be used to make a strong impression.
Green: Green is a gentle and easy color, which can help your home feel inviting and pretty. People are naturally drawn to green, and it can be used to complement your lawn and home well. It’s a cool, relaxing color that won’t really stand out, but can help create a relaxing vibe.
Orange: Orange is a great combination of bold red and bright and sunny yellow. It’s a great stimulant for the mind and the body, and you’ll like using orange if you’d like your front door to appear energizing.
Blue: Blue is the first color that comes to people's minds when they think of calming colors. Sky blue in particular has a refreshing, calming, and soothing effect that is perfect if you’d like your home to give off an aura of tranquility and relaxation. A darker blue can appear more bold and striking.
If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and are looking for a commercial or residential paint job, you should look no further than Colorado Painting. Not only will we recommend front door paint color ideas, but we will guide you through the entire painting process.
We have been Denver’s best painting company for 38 years, with a proven track record of excellence, no matter what your project calls for. We’ve done it all – interior, exterior, deck staining, and foundation painting – so you can be sure we can handle your job. Contact us today to discuss your painting needs and get a free estimate.
We get a lot of people asking about whether or not they should paint their home’s foundations. For many people, their concrete foundation walls can be kind of an eyesore, and so they wonder: should I paint my foundation?
There are a couple of different schools of thought, but generally, yes, you should paint your foundation. The main reason for painting your foundation is to increase your home’s aesthetic value and curb appeal. Additionally, high-quality exterior paint can provide your home with another layer of defense against UV or moisture damage.
Additionally, most homes have a concrete foundation, and the process for painting concrete is actually pretty straightforward.
For the rest of this article, we’ll talk you through the benefits and potential drawbacks of painting your foundation, and we’ll run you through how to paint your foundation.
Additionally, we’ll share some of the different products you could use to paint your foundation.
Concrete is the most common type of foundation used in homes.
Typically, it’s visible above ground level but beneath your siding. A lot of homeowners simply choose to leave it alone, and that's okay – but not only will painting it make your home look more appealing, paint can also help protect your foundation from damage.
Painting your foundation can make your home less susceptible to water damage and UV damage.
Modern paint products can cover concrete for up to ten years without peeling, and they’ll allow you to let your foundation look a little prettier than drab gray or white.
Water and UV light are the two biggest enemies to an exterior surface.
Concrete, although it is generally an extremely durable material, is susceptible to both water and sunlight- over time, this exposure can cause your concrete to begin to crack or crumble.
Typically, your foundation will already have some sort of protective coating over it. It could simply be tar, which is the waterproofing layer that the original builder put over your foundation. It could also be parging, which is a smooth grey coat of mortar applied over your foundation walls. Depending on the layer, you’ll need to take different steps to paint your foundation.
Tar is one of the most common foundation coatings, and you’ll see it a lot in older homes especially.
Tar has been around for decades, and it does a fantastic job at providing a light, weathertight barrier between the ground and your home.
In terms of painting, however, you cannot paint directly on a tar coating. You will first need to remove the coating, which requires using heavy-duty hydrochloric acid mixed with water and a heavy-duty scrub brush attached to your drill.
You’ll then want to manually scrape off the remaining tar before using your hose to wash everything down.
This process can be pretty tiring and time-intensive, but unfortunately, it is the only way that you’ll be able to paint your foundation if it has a tar coating.
Parging is simply the smooth layer of decorative mortar that’s often put over foundation walls to give it a smooth, uniform look and cover up any cracks or weaknesses.
It’s a largely aesthetic coating that doesn’t really provide much protection but is able to be painted over, unlike tar.
However, you need to be cautious when painting because parging is known to absorb and hold moisture.
Painting over parging with waterproof paint, which is obviously recommended in terms of protecting your foundation, has the potential to trap any moisture inside the parging and cause your foundation to deteriorate quicker.
On the other hand, not using waterproof paint means your foundation won’t be as well protected from moisture.
The best thing to do is just wait for a prolonged dry spell before you paint over your parging. It might require some patience, but it’s the easiest way to ensure you’ll be properly protecting your foundation.
There are a bunch of different paint or stain options that you can use to cover your foundation.
We’ll take you through a few of the options and their features down below.
Concrete stain comes in two forms: water-based and acid-based.
Acid-based stains last much longer and are permanent, which is important to consider color-wise. In order to apply concrete stain, you’ll need to pressure wash your foundation, use an airless sprayer, and then apply a layer of concrete sealer afterward.
Water-based stains are easier to apply and have a greater variety of colors, but won’t last as long as acid-based stains.
Elastomeric waterproof masonry paint is another good option to use.
It’s waterproof and lasts a long time. Additionally, as the name elastomeric suggests, the paint itself is elastic and can stretch to fill in little pores and cracks in your concrete. This paint still is breathable, and therefore should only be used above grade.
Acrylic paint is very similar to elastomeric masonry paint, but with two key differences.
Firstly, the acrylic paint isn’t elastic, and secondly, it is a much more waterproof seal that can be used both below and above grade. This makes it a very versatile paint choice to use.
Latex paint is another type of paint you could use to paint your foundation.
It’s a more budget-friendly option than acrylic paint, but its downside is that it doesn’t have the same waterproofing ability that acrylic paint has.
However, it comes in a variety of colors and is still a solid choice.
If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and are looking for a commercial or residential paint job, you should look no further than Colorado Painting.
We have been Denver’s best painting company for 38 years, with a proven track record of excellence, no matter what your project calls for.
We’ve done it all – interior, exterior, deck staining, and foundation painting, so you can be sure we can handle your job.
Contact us today to discuss your painting needs and get a free estimate.
Environmentally friendly paints are defined as having no detrimental effect on the environment, nor on society.
At Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting, we are inspired to help preserve the quality of the air we breathe and value the use of environmentally friendly paint that minimizes air quality impact without sacrificing performance.
Although paint is available in a rainbow of colors, not all paints are "green".
It's typically a simple thing to spot the difference between environmentally friendly paint and conventional paint. All you need to do is just pop open the lid and take a whiff.
The familiar fresh paint odor of a conventional latex or especially a solvent-borne paint consists of a variety of greenhouse gases and other environmentally harmful chemicals that are released to the atmosphere as the paint is applied and in the drying stages.
Eco-friendly paints, however, emit little or no environmentally unsafe materials into the air (we call these VOCs, which we talk about more below).
Many environmentally friendly paints contain ingredients like natural dyes, water, milk, casein, essential oils, plant oils, and resins. Additional ingredients are derived from natural minerals such as clay, chalk and talcum, milk casein, natural latex, bees’ wax, earth and mineral dyes. The oil-based natural paints usually have a pleasant fragrance of citrus or essential oils, while the water-based natural paints give off almost no odor at all.
These paints are proven to be the safest for your health and for our environment.
The air you breathe indoors is more than three times as polluted as the air outdoors. A major source of indoor air pollution can be interior paint.
The reason is that most of these paints may contain harmful compounds, toxic substances, and chemicals – VOCs.
The paint production process can also very be energy-intensive.
VOCs are volatile organic compounds.
These include hydrogen and carbon. They evaporate easily into the air we breathe and can cause serious health concerns when inhaled.
The “green certified” paint that we can apply for your special project has no or low volatile organic compounds that are also harmful to our precious ozone layer.
These environmentally preferable coatings have been thoroughly tested according to science-based procedures and are proven to work as well or better than others in their class.
Well, just about everyone and everything benefits from environmentally friendly paint.
As we just mentioned, eco-friendly paints contain little-to-no VOCs. Thus, they are safer for our air and everything that breathes it.
They don't impact the ozone layer. Using eco-friendly paints lightens your carbon footprint.
Environmentally friendly paints contain natural ingredients like clay, milk proteins called casein, citrus, lime, and balsam.
Eco-friendly paints emit little-to-no smell. Moreover, the odor dissipates in under a few hours.
Besides being eco-friendly, these products are also effective in reducing mold, condensation, and mildew.
Eco-friendly paints meet the EPA and GREENGUARD Environmental Institute standards for environmentally friendly paints.
Although environmentally friendly paint is mostly beneficial, there might be some reasons people don't want to use it.
We carry a wide variety of environmentally friendly paints from brands like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and KILZ. If you'd like to use this type of paint on the interior or exterior of your home or business, we'll make our best recommendations.
Contact us today for a free estimate.
