skip to main content

Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

Exterior stain/paint color advice

last month

Our cedar house is currently stained dark brown. It has darkened a lot in the past 5 years since it was stained. We

want to lighten it up some with paint or solid color stain. The trim is painted a dark brown which is hard to see now that the stained cedar has darkened so much. Can i get some helpful (and kind) suggestions on a color pallette for the cedar siding as well as the trim and cedar shakes above the porch. The roof is green metal so that needs to be taken into consideration.

Featured Answer

PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

last month

Would we need to have it stained again if we just have it washed?

It all depends on the results of the cleaning. Once the soil & residual cedar oil is off the wood & you allow the wood to dry, you might not need to restain. A good stain should last you about 10 years.

Get a cleaner that has the right Ph for cedar. It will be mild.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
last modified: last month
Cedar will darken with soil. It's worth trying a gentle wash to see if the overall appearance will lighten.

If necessary you can STAIN over the existing color. DO NOT PAINT CEDAR, IT WILL PEEL.
0
HU-598995692 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
HU-598995692
Original Author
last month
Would we need to have it stained again if we just have it washed?
0
Related Discussions
Need Advice: Exterior Paint colors to complement Cu color roof
Q
Comments (9)
I would not rely on computer color representation to make your decision or to get others' opinions, as every monitor shows color differently. I have my monitor calibrated for professional graphic design work, and yet their copper penny color sample looks dingy pink. Copper has many color overtones, highlights and shadows and varies so much according to daylight vs. indoor light, time of day and surrounding colors. For starters, see if you can get an actual sample. Second look at photos of copper, both interior and exterior (Houzz is a good place). (These, too, are not exact replicas of actual color -- you're looking for general ideas.) Once you've narrowed your colors down a bit, get some large color swatches and see what looks good in your light and with the surrounding environment. For example, mossy green is usually a good companion with copper, but if you are surrounded by greenery, this may not be the best shade. Are you out in the sun or shaded by a grove of trees? In addition to house style, consider your context. A metal roof often suggests a country setting, but is that true or are you on a city lot or in a development with houses close by? When you have it narrowed down your choices, post a photo of your copper and large paint swatches here to get opinions. (Note: the colors will still look different from reality, but hopefully they will be altered to a similar degree.) When you have three contenders, paint large areas on several sides of your house, preferably at the corner where you can see surrounding trees and neighbor houses.
...See More
Advice on exterior paint color
Q
Comments (13)
Similar color door, new light, gray numbers on a light wood plaque So here's a door w/a walnut stain, and a tomato red, and some matching flowers. here's a white arbor, w/the wood doors (you can faux paint wood on the doors. or use the wood arbor) wood door, and two diff address plaques maybe try power washing the driveway, or even staining it a light gray color. then bring in some mulch for the flower beds in a black or charcoal gray color, with low growing plants for the driveway flower bed. you could also try this color mulch (more of a pebble rock) because it looks great w/the blue house. you could also do taller plants to take up some height against that wall space near the stairs. bringing in the wood elements I mentioned will add some warmth to the blue tones. maybe redo the handrail in a cedar, or bring in these smaller slat wood fencing somewhere. do your address in a large wood plaque or try a contrasting blue here's the arbor I was mentioning. a wood one like this over your garage doors might look nice. you have plenty of room they even come in kits. trying to find one I could photoshop for you
...See More
Advice for exterior paint color(s)
Q
Comments (1)
I like taupe with red brick and dark roof.
...See More
Need help on exterior paint or stain color
Q
Comments (6)
I'd choose the Iron Ore, you have a nice wooded setting, the Iron Ore would rally stand out.
...See More
Related Professionals
Merritt Island Paint & Wall Coverings · Birmingham Painters · Blue Island Painters · Ft Washington Flooring Contractors · Jenison Flooring Contractors · Monroe Flooring Contractors · Westminster Flooring Contractors · South Lake Tahoe Architects & Building Designers · Corcoran Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Federal Heights Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · De Luz General Contractors · Castle Rock Siding & Exteriors · Sunrise Home Builders · Fort Collins Painters · Aurora General Contractors
PRO
lisedv
last month
I suggest a solid stain to cover the dark brown.
HU-598995692 thanked lisedv
tracefloyd
last month
last modified: last month
There is also wood and fence cleaner that removes dark oxidation on old wood. Very easy to use, brush and scrub with a broom and bucket and hose off.

I would not do a color stain with a green roof.
0
HU-598995692 thanked tracefloyd
HU-598995692
Original Author
last month
We used a really good stain 5 years ago so hopefully a wash might do it
0
HU-598995692
Original Author
last month
To lisedv - im not tech savvy at all. can you tell me how you did the picture with the solid color stain? i would love to see my house with several different color schemes
0
cat_ky
last month
I would keep the color you have now. It looks good on your house and its setting. On the stain you have now, you can see the wood grain of the cedar. If you use a solid color, its more like paint, and you wont see any of that grain.
0
HU-598995692 thanked cat_ky
HU-598995692
Original Author
last month
Thank you
0
Debbie Downer
last month
last modified: last month
IMHO I love the look of dark and gothic for wood cabins and the way they sort of blend into the woods. That said, I would tweak the current colors a bit. Choose a dark gray-b brown on the horizontal siding (horizontal) to continue with the old aged wood vibe - exact shade/color whatever fits well with your stone colors. Have the trim, shutters + timbers be your lighter/brighter wood tones. Dark and/or cool colors recede, light and/or warm color comes forward. Since it looks like you already have white for window sashes, you could consider white as your accent color have your door , outdoor furniture etc. be white as well I think these things would brighten/freshen but without taking it back to looking like a newly built cabin.
0
HU-598995692 thanked Debbie Downer

Related Stories

COLOR 3 Exterior Paint Dilemmas, 7 Palette Solutions

By Jennifer Ott Design

Houzzers ready to repaint their home exteriors get custom color advice from a design pro

EXTERIORS 5 Easy Tips for Choosing Your Exterior Paint Palette

By Lisa Frederick

Make your home the talk of the neighborhood — in a good way — with an exterior paint scheme that pops

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

KITCHEN CABINETS Kitchen Cabinet Color: Should You Paint or Stain?

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about durability, looks, cost and more for wooden cabinet finishes to make the right choice for your kitchen

KITCHEN CABINETS Painted vs. Stained Kitchen Cabinets

Wondering whether to go for natural wood or a painted finish for your cabinets? These pros and cons can help

MOST POPULAR Choosing Color: See 1 Cute Home in 3 Exterior Paint Palettes

By Jennifer Ott Design

Here’s proof that a little bit of fun color can add a whole lot of flair to your house

CURB APPEAL How to Get Your Home’s Stucco Exterior Painted

By Erin Carlyle

Learn what’s involved in painting a stucco exterior and how much this project might cost

EXTERIORS 13 Dramatic Exterior Paint Makeovers by Houzzers

By Becky Harris

See real-life before and afters of home fronts transformed with paint, in wide-ranging colors and styles

EXTERIOR COLOR Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes

By Jennifer Ott Design

See how color variations change the look of this midcentury ranch-style home

EXTERIORS 8 Homes With Exterior Paint Colors Done Right

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Get ideas for an exterior palette from these homes that run the gamut from Mediterranean to modern

Sponsored

More Discussions

New member of Regretting Tile Decision Club

38

For anyone considering Wood-mode cabinets, please read!

53

Curb appeal enhancements- help!

8

Selling 1931 elegant house with deep red DR. Paint? Leave as is?

28

Help with condo building paint pallet

0