Expert: Nazim Nice - 6/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have been back and forth on what to do with the exterior of our home. It was in need of painting when we purchased the house and we are now at the point where it has to be done - this week or next most likely.

It is a dark brick with brown and reddish tones, but the mortar is a light color. In addition the windows are new energy efficient white vinyl that should not be painted. We considered painting the whole house - brick and all - but we are now nervous and backing away. We are not crazy about the harshness of the white trim and windows against the home but sometimes we step back and think it looks ok after all. The back side of the home is hardiplank siding on the garage and the back of the home and that is currently all white as well. So here are the main questions -
1- Should we stay with keeping the brick as is and if so what color do we use for the trim, gutters, etc (remember the windows themselves will be white)?
2- Should we go ahead and be adventuresome and paint the whole house? If we do we could use the same color for the brick and siding which would make the garage feel more uniform with the home while the white windows may blend better. My concern here is that once we paint the brick there is no turning back (not to mention it can be expensive and the next buyers may hate painted brick as some people do).

We use Sherwin Williams colors so if you have specific examples please share!

Thanks in advance!

ANSWER: Hi Stephen,

I have an article on my website that deals with a lot of these issues, so you might want to take a look at it:

http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm

I do see what you mean about the white vinyl standing out and so does the light mortar.  And the mortar seems unusually light for that tone brick.  

These might all be reasons to paint the brick, especially if you're unhappy about the mortar color.  

The other option is to paint the vinyl windows darker.  It *can* be done (in fact some manufacturer's sell them with a factory painted finish), but this needs some research.  But I only suggest this because if you could get away with painting the windows, and not the brick, would that be the lesser of two evils?

If the siding is white, I would go ahead and paint that regardless.  White siding on a brick home seems like the builder didn't give much thought to it.  I would choose a color that stands up to the brick - a similar value, but different color.  You mention Sherwin Williams, and they have a good Arts and Crafts Color palette (not that your house is that style, but some of the colors will work for you).  And some of the Roycroft Colors may work for you as well.

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/paint_color_palette/

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/roycroft§ion=homeowner

Also take a look at this image:
http://www.trepryor.com/louisville/hillcrest/hillcrest3_lg.jpg

I think this is a good example of a 'classic' looking home with painted brick.  See how they've painted the arch at the front door.  You could consider doing the same thing.  Or even taking a two-tone approach maybe with a darker field color, and then a lighter related color to create some details (or vice versa).

Here is another example of painting the brick details, more bold colors (photo on right):
http://rowhouser.com/images/myimages/Date/20070921/IMG_1484.JPG

This will take more time and cost more, but you'll likely end up with a better looking house and not loosing the details. I would have the painter (or you if you are doing it yourself) do a mock up on a part of the house to figure out the colors and what you paint (window sills, window headers  . . . possibly the bricks on the corners that are stacked).  

Also consider painting the roof trim/fascia something other than white.  It could end up being the accent color you paint the brick details.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
See the work of Motionspace Architecture + Design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm

Adding a second story: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm

Green Design Resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm

Remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm

Check out our newest product: http://store.lumenid.com/



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the detailed response!

I am attaching a picture of the rear which is one of the reasons the paint needs to be done so badly - it is past due. While I would not have chosen the current brick, mortar, hardiplank combo we do love the house and the area is one of the best in a top 5 US city so we must have simply looked past the cosmetic specifics when we were house hunting. With that said, I hope that I am not overthinking it now that we are in the home. I could simply paint it white again and live in a clean, crisp home - albeit not the aesthetic gem for my taste - or I could bite the bullet and paint the whole thing and worry about the decision as the paint is applied. If it were already painted the choice would certainly be easier.

If we were to paint the entire home, do you have any specific Sherwin Williams suggestions that would look appropriate with the style of home against the white trim, gutters, etc?

Thanks again - your thoughtful responses are much appreciated!

Answer
Hi Stephan,

Choosing colors is tough because they will vary so much in different environments.  And also there is a lot of personal preference involved!  

But look at SW 6143 for a start (be sure to look at exterior color outside!).  It's a buttery beige sort of color.  I've attached a photo of a house with this color, although the trim on this house is not stark white, which I think helps.

For a grey/green color: look at SW6172. This is the color on this house with white Anderson windows and white trim.
http://www.motion-space.com/ourwork/ourwork_apexhouse1.htm

In this housing development we used the Sherwin Williams Arts & Crafts color palette. You'll probably be able to figure out what color is which if you look at their guide online:
http://www.motion-space.com/ourwork/ourwork_selbournelane1.htm

Hope this helps.  I would at least NOT paint the hardiboard siding white again even if you decide to not paint the brick.  The white siding will look dirty quickly and it looks so boring!

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
See the work of Motionspace Architecture + Design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm

Adding a second story: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm

Green Design Resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm

Remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm

Check out our newest product: http://store.lumenid.com/

Need to remodel your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm

Tips on choosing exterior house materials and colors: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm