Choosing the right metal colour

Choosing the colour for your roof, cladding or fencing is an important decision. Here are some tips to help you.

Limit your choices to three colours

A good rule of thumb for picking building colours is to use no more than three colours in total to coat, outline and accent your home. The exterior colour scheme should be based on three parts, a main colour, an accent colour, and a trim colour.

The main colour is the primary colour of your home, this could be the colour of your cladding or your roof. The accent colour is used on doors, joinery, and shutters.

The accent can be bold and eye-catching, such as a red or green door. The trim colour is used for windows, door casings, guttering and downpipes. Ideally, the trim colour should contrast strongly with the main colour. A dark trim will look stunning against a light main colour.

Take note of your surroundings

The environment that surrounds your house is an important consideration when choosing colour. Where your home is located on its section, in relation to the street. If it sits back from the road or within a cluster of bushes or trees you may want to choose a lighter or brighter colour so that it stands out.

Neutral colours can be striking as they blend in well with the street and landscape and create an inviting and calming effect.

If you’re building a new home, then certain styles and settings lend themselves to different colour options. Certain combinations suit an urban environment but look out of place on a lifestyle block or close to a beach.

Houses from different times and eras require more care when it comes to colour selection. Villas, bungalows, and art deco homes lend themselves toward specific colour palettes. If you’re living in a neighbourhood of houses from a certain period, look around for inspiration and to see what works and importantly what doesn’t.

Work with what you have

If you’re renovating, surfaces such as pathways, stonework and driveways may stay the same. Consider any existing colour palette when choosing exterior colours.

Colour guides only go so far

Colour charts are extremely useful as a guide but it’s important to experience the colour in real life when choosing a permanent colour for your home. Always get samples of your chosen colour and paint them on a section of your house, preferably away from the street, to make sure you’re 100% happy with it before purchasing.