Cedar shingles and shakes should not be painted, they should be left natural or have a clear or pigmented preservative stain. Red cedar is also available pressure-impregnated in colors. So you have a choice of recoating in 20 years or 50+ years. Pay now or later. The definitions of red cedar shakes and shingles can vary regionally but here's what the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau says: “Generally, a shingle is sawn on both sides and is thinner at the butt than a shake. A shake is typically split on one or both sides. … Shakes are still manufactured by hand, but most are now made using powered equipment. Certi-Split shakes are made by taking the wood straight split from the block, and sawing it end-to-end at an angle. This creates a shake that is sawn on one side and split on the other, often called a ‘handsplit and resawn’ product. Medium shakes are shakes that measure nominal 1/2 in. at the butt. Heavy shakes are shakes that measure nominal 3/4 in. at the butt. Other differences also occur due to the fabrication processes. Being sawn, shingles exhibit some cross grain due to cutting, whereas shakes, being split, follow the grain more closely. For the same reason, shingles are more uniform than shakes. ” Shakes last longer and are more expensive than shingles so they are are usually used on roofs. Then there are sawn eastern white cedar shingles that need to be stained and pressure treated pine shingles in colors.

Wow, I didnt even see the columns until they were changed to white- good job. I would leave the white triim around front door and side lights - you need that to better define the doorway, AND to be consistent with and visually connect wth the windows on 2nd floor directly above the door. Paint the door slab itself a deep dark purple-red, andlast but not least, ditch the aluminum storm door. What a lovely house - glad to hear you are not futzing with the exterior cos it looks pretty well put together as it is (aside from the few minor tweaks).

Yeah, I agree! There's enough going on visually with the multiple rooflines and white trim outlining everything. Sometimes less is more. Im guessing the intention was to match the color of the stonework below but I dont think its necessary - the stone as part of the foundation (essentially) can just stand on its own as a handsome natural element. Maybe youd want to use that same stone in landscaping ..... or not - LOL

You have a home with prominent garages and a very dark roof, so you want to paint the body Hale Navy and keep the trim white in a wooded setting. Are you sure? That high contrast is going to make your garage doors sing out loud. I think I would keep the exterior a light neutral with white trim and a bright front door and landscaping that draws the eye to the front door.