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Exterior Design Dilemma Paint

Raised Ranch Exterior Color Help

4 years ago

We are going to paint our raised ranch and looking for guidance on a color scheme. We were thinking of doing two tone-siding one darker color (maybe in the slate blue family) and then wood siding around the garage, door and basement windows a lighter color. Keeping trim white and removing shutters. Undecided on paint colors though, can’t make up our mind. Help!

Featured Answer

PRO

Beth H. :

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Do you mean something like this?

this is probably the best makeover for a split level I've seen.

Regardless of the color, to keep it from looking dated, remove the window grids on the garage door. they are easily switched out for something without that arch. you can purchase replacement grids for the windows anywhere. try amazon.

and while your'e there, look for carriage hardware or something similar. Any of these following garage door windows or hardware would upgrade yours:

(don't be afraid to paint your garage door too. if you go w/a darker color on the house, you may need to nix the white)

I like this darker blue one too. notice how they did a bigger window, more modern garage door, some black trim on the windows, and of course landscaping
This more modern wood garage door (or a wood-look) would look great on your house

here are some other ones w/diff colors

and if you really want to bring it into this century:

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Comments (17)

PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I did some renderings with your desire how to paint exterior. I removed shutters, painted the front door.
houssaon
4 years ago
Like that. I would add that you can remove the grids in the garage windows for a more current look.
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Thank you Doug and Denita for your ideas. Doug, I love your landscaping ideas and the garage awning change. I had not thought of making it dark like that, but it looks really nice. Denita, I shuddered when I saw your comment about my shutters. I always thought mine were sized right. I walk around my neighborhood cringing at ill sized shutters. Do you think mine are too long? wide? And I agree about the ones on the large window. I would love to take them off, but it will leave holes in the siding which I think will be uglier than the shutters...Those might have to stay until new siding. Thank you both!
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I like the last mock up except the windows should all be the same , I have never tried painting roof shingles but does not sound like a good idea.. Good plan to remove the bays and those awnings. If the awnings were actually controlling the light and heat from the sun just use soal dhades inside to do the same thing. Please do not paint the brick
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Thought this picture might help. I like the black garage door for contrast and what was done above front door, especially the inclusion of the wood. Don’t forget nice lighting. Idea for color of shingles, which works with the black but is not too stark.
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I would remove the shutters. If you are up to painting, I think the house would look good with a color. Otherwise, focus on landscaping and hiding the pool a bit.
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Cheryl Hannebauer
4 years ago
following
Melissa Wahlen
Original Author
4 years ago
Wow! Thank you all for your time and recommendations! What do you all think about painting it two tone vs one solid color? @celerygirl did a nice rendering in the first post but I’m torn not the two tone, maybe the light color isn’t a good choice? Idk? I really like the wood accents on a lot of the updated houses that @beth.h sent along.
Melissa Wahlen
Original Author
4 years ago
Does anyone know what kind of wood people usually use as accents on the exterior? Is it cedar? What size?
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
4 years ago
You can use vinyl siding instead wood.
Melissa Wahlen
Original Author
4 years ago
So it’s vinyl siding that looks like wood?
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
look into Hardie siding, or another type of composite (not really vinyl, it's the same as the decking material)
Melissa Wahlen
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Beth! Also, do you know where I can get the square garage window inserts? I’m having a hard time finding them. All I’m finding is faux magnetic widows for garages. Thanks!
PRO
Beth H. :
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
why don't you want the magnetic ones? they should be easy to attach to your glass

this one isn't magnetic, and you'd have to research more styles.

https://www.amazon.com/Coach-Accents-Simulated-Garage-windows/dp/B004YWQYAK?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

These are NOT magnetic either

https://www.garaga.com/information/faq/plastic-insert

I think this has the snap-on plastic replacements

https://www.flexiforce.com/us-en/products/insert-trim/

https://www.clopaydoor.com/residential/buyingguide/replacing-clopay-garage-door-window-glass

Lowes?

https://windowsdoors.lowes.com/garage-doors/windows.html

carriage hardware

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WDG68TG/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07WDG68TG&pd_rd_w=3CKrH&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=1ewKY&pf_rd_r=2FF2JTK1ZF4YVTC2R601&pd_rd_r=154de1d8-81db-427e-a35b-5f999136295e&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWE1YTDc3VUpHQ09BJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjAxODk1MzU3SVdYNzAxREE2QyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDg2NTMwUEw5RzFaMkRWQkJUJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

find the square windows like this, or similar, and the hardware like this. easy!

they have diff hardware options. some have the handle in the middle, some have two. I like the double handle. I like this window option, and the size of the hardware.

Here's how I did my hardware. (I still have to get some diff inserts though. I just removed what came w/this door.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
4 years ago
You can google for it.
houssaon
4 years ago
Check your garage door. Those might be inserts you can remove.
Melissa Wahlen
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes they are, I removed them
Melissa Wahlen
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Beth, thank you for all of the links, very helpful. I don’t want the magnetic widows because I have real windows, so just looking for inserts.
PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
melissa, most of those links are pop ins, not magnetic
Julie
3 years ago
Following

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