Does your house need a new coat of paint? Or do you simply want to give your house a different colorful look? A new coat of facade paint is like a face mask: sometimes the applied layer brings a little refreshment, but sometimes the all-round renewal is simply bitterly necessary. When it comes to facade design, personal taste is the most decisive criterion. However, not everything that one likes is permitted and within the bounds of what is feasible. Factors such as the surroundings, the choice of the right color system, and the size and location of the building must also be taken into account. We’ll show you step by step what to look out for when choosing a color so that your new paint job will last as long as possible and your neighbors will be green with envy at the sight of your facade.
Plan the surroundings
The color of a house facade not only significantly determines the character of a building, but also helps shape the neighborhood or its surroundings. You can do little wrong if you choose white as the basic tone. Great care should be taken with striking colors such as pink or blue, as there is a risk that the colorful building will dominate the entire neighborhood and be totally out of place. The personal color choice should always harmonize with the context, that is, fit into the overall concept. This implies that, on the one hand, the house paint should not stand out too much with regard to the neighboring houses. On the other hand, the color should also be chosen in harmony with the parts of the building such as the balcony, garage and roof. Nowadays, it is possible to find out which facade color suits one’s own house and its surroundings with the help of color simulators and 3D planners, which allow trying out different color variants of the house. By the way, many municipalities prescribe what is legally permitted, which is why it is best to find out directly from the responsible office before starting work.
Color and material effect
There are colors such as yellow and orange, for example, which convey warmth and security. Then again, there are colors such as blue or turquoise, which tend to radiate coldness. The same applies to the different facade materials available: reddish-orange to earth-brown corten steel or wooden facades are often associated with naturalness and warmth, while gray aluminum and fiber cement make the facade appear cold. So when choosing colors and materials, always keep in mind the effect you want the new paint to have. Of course, there are other aspects to consider when choosing colors and materials. If you want to achieve your desired color tone on the house facade not with a new coat of paint or plaster, but with a particular material, then you must obtain comprehensive information about the respective material properties, including maintenance effort and costs of the corresponding facade cladding. In any case, seek advice from a specialist such as an architect on the choice of color and material. He will be able to tell you which of the many facade systems best suits the nature of your house wall.
Color quality
For a colorful facade paint, you need to know that it must not only look beautiful, but also, first and foremost, protect the structure. The quality of facade paints depends to a large extent on the properties of the binder they contain. Facade paints with a high binder content, such as pure acrylate, are considered to be particularly colorfast and resistant. Ready-mixed dispersion silicate paints are also popular because they are easy to apply and offer good rain protection. Dispersion paints are among the all-rounders among facade paints. They are moisture-repellent, permeable to water vapor, and also available in many colors (including strong and fancy ones). Silicone resin paints belong to the luxury class of facade paints. They are extremely permeable to water vapor, water-repellent and provide effective protection against fungal and algal attack.
Size and location
It makes a big difference whether you just redesign a house wall or the entire house facade. After all, paint and materials cost money. A compromise can be to set a beautiful accent by painting the most exposed side of the house. Keep in mind that the size and shape of the house will also affect how the paint looks. For example, it is not advisable to use gaudy and flashy colors for the entire building, as they are very intrusive contextually. The location of the house also plays a significant role in the color effect, as the color literally appears in a different light depending on the sunlight. In addition, constant and intense light irradiation – for example on south-facing walls – causes colorful facade colors to fade over time, similar to rain.
Preparation
If you are painting the facade yourself, you must prepare the substrate accordingly before painting. Make sure that it is clean, dry, without cracks and load-bearing. For a long-lasting, beautiful result, you must carry out a so-called visual inspection, i.e. remove defects such as discoloration, loose paint, old plaster, dirt, algae and moss. This is best done with water and a brush, or even more efficiently, with a high-pressure cleaner. For an even and absorbent surface, you then apply a facade primer. Before doing so, mask all windows, doors and other openings that could get dirty with masking film. Before applying the main coat, apply a primer diluted with ten to 15 percent with a facade roller so that the paint appears richer and adheres better. The second and final coat of facade paint can then be applied undiluted.
What else you have to consider
The first impression counts. This wisdom also applies to a house. If the building looks dilapidated from the outside, one has little desire to look at the inside. Often, impressive living rooms and other rooms await us here. An attractive exterior, on the other hand, looks inviting. A house facade needs a new coat of paint about every ten years. Of course, the time intervals also depend on how attacked and dirty the house wall surface is. Don’t wait too long for major damage, because the more time you allow to pass, the more expensive the entire facade renovation will be for you. Also plan for weather conditions when painting: Weather that is too hot, too cold or too wet will damage the paint. The same applies to direct sunlight when painting, as the paint dries too quickly. For optimal paint results, it’s best to paint in the spring or fall when temperatures are balmy and the sky is clear. And don’t forget: Always stir the paint well before applying!
Garden and facade color in harmony
Adding color to the facade of the house, as you have seen, is not so easy. You have to put some thought into it.
When you think about the color and style of your facade, you should also consider the design of your garden. Depending on the style you follow in your garden, the house facade should be designed accordingly. Do you have lots of blooming flowers, playful elements, mainly lawns? Squiggly, colorful, traditional or modern – options abound. Now that the style has been decided, the question arises:
Painting the facade – what color? After all, the house colors are at least as important as the style.
And remember: when choosing the color of the facade, let the color tone be determined! This will make it easier for you to repaint your house later or to correct any mistakes.
