Month: March 2025

Harmonizing Your Home: Matching Exterior Body Paint with Trim Colors

Choosing the perfect exterior paint color for your home can feel like a big decision—but it doesn’t stop there! Once you’ve picked the body color, selecting a complementary trim color becomes just as important. The trim acts like the frame of a painting, enhancing and defining your home’s overall appearance. Here’s a guide to help you achieve the perfect match.

1. Start with the Basics: Contrast and Balance

The key to a cohesive exterior design lies in the balance between your body and trim colors. Consider the contrast:

  • Low Contrast: Using shades from the same color family creates a soft, elegant look. For example, pairing a light gray body with slightly darker gray trim.
  • High Contrast: Bold pairings, like a navy blue body with bright white trim, make features like windows and doors pop.

2. Classic Pairings that Always Work

If you’re unsure where to start, tried-and-true combinations are a safe bet:

  • White Body + Black Trim: A timeless duo that exudes sophistication.
  • Earth-Toned Body + Cream or Beige Trim: Perfect for blending into natural surroundings.
  • Dark Body + Light Trim: Navy, charcoal, or forest green paired with crisp white trim creates striking curb appeal.

3. Consider the Architectural Style

Your home’s style plays a significant role in color choices:

  • Modern Homes: Clean lines and minimalist palettes often use neutral body colors with black or metallic trim.
  • Colonial or Victorian Homes: Traditional styles lend themselves to contrasting colors, with bold trim that highlights architectural details.
  • Cottages or Farmhouses: Soft, warm tones like sage green with off-white trim evoke charm and coziness.

4. Work with Your Surroundings

Take a step back and consider how your home fits into its environment:

  • Natural Backdrops: For homes surrounded by trees or mountains, choose earth tones like browns, greens, and taupes to complement the scenery.
  • Urban Settings: Bright or contrasting colors can help your home stand out amidst a sea of neutral-toned buildings.

5. Pay Attention to Material Accents

Does your home feature brick, stone, or other materials? These elements should guide your color palette:

  • Warm Materials: Brick or red stone pairs beautifully with cream or warm beige trim.
  • Cool Materials: Gray or slate accents often look best with cool trim tones like crisp white or pale blue.

6. Test Before You Commit

Paint swatches can look very different in natural sunlight than in-store. Before finalizing your colors:

  • Test small patches on both the body and trim.
  • View the colors at different times of day to ensure they complement each other and look great in varying light conditions.

7. Set the Mood

Your home’s exterior is the first impression visitors and passersby get. Think about the message you want to convey:

  • Warm, Inviting Feel: Use earthy tones with soft, neutral trim.
  • Bold and Unique: Choose contrasting, vibrant colors for a standout look.
  • Clean and Classic: Stick to light neutrals with black or white trim for timeless appeal.

Conclusion

Matching your exterior body paint color with trim color is an art, but it’s also an opportunity to express your personal style while enhancing your home’s curb appeal. With these tips, you’ll create a harmonious, eye-catching look that makes your home the envy of the neighborhood. So grab those paint swatches and start dreaming!

Dealing with Mold on Exterior Siding

Mold on exterior siding is more than just an eyesore—it’s a potential hazard to your home’s structure and your health if left unchecked. Thankfully, dealing with mold doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. With the right approach, you can restore your siding’s beauty and protect your home.

1. Why Does Mold Develop on Siding?

Mold thrives in damp, shaded areas. If your home’s siding is exposed to high humidity, frequent rain, or has poor sunlight, it becomes a prime breeding ground. Additionally, dirt and organic debris on the surface can provide a food source for mold spores.

2. Safety First: Prep and Precautions

Before tackling mold, prioritize your safety:

  • Protective Gear: Wear gloves, safety goggles, and a mask to avoid contact with mold spores.
  • Check the Weather: Choose a dry, calm day to work, as wet weather can make cleaning less effective and windy conditions could spread spores.

3. How to Remove Mold Effectively

Follow these steps to clean your siding:

Gather Materials:

  • A soft-bristle brush or sponge
  • A bucket of cleaning solution (1 part white vinegar or oxygen bleach to 4 parts water)
  • A garden hose with a spray nozzle
  • Optional: Pressure washer (use with caution)

Steps:

  1. Rinse the Surface: Start by rinsing the siding with water to remove loose dirt and debris.
  2. Apply the Cleaning Solution: Dip your brush or sponge into the solution and gently scrub the moldy areas. Work from top to bottom to prevent streaks.
  3. Rinse Thoroughly: Use a garden hose to wash away the cleaning solution and loosened mold.
  4. Spot Treatments: For stubborn patches, repeat the process or let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
  5. Dry the Area: Allow the siding to air dry completely.

Note: If using a pressure washer, choose a low-pressure setting to avoid damaging the siding. Test on a small area first.

4. Prevent Mold from Coming Back

Once your siding is clean, take these steps to reduce the chances of mold returning:

  • Trim Plants and Trees: Allow more sunlight to reach your siding by trimming back overgrown vegetation.
  • Clean Gutters: Ensure proper drainage and prevent water from dripping onto your siding.
  • Regular Maintenance: Wash your siding yearly to remove dirt, mildew, and other debris.
  • Seal and Paint: Apply a fresh coat of waterproof paint or siding sealant to create a barrier against moisture. Give Paint Doctor’s Painting 541-497-3804

5. When to Call a Professional

If the mold has spread extensively or you’re dealing with persistent issues, it might be time to call in a professional. Call Mike at 541-497-3804 for pressure washing and/or painting.

Conclusion

Maintaining the exterior siding of your home not only keeps it looking great but also extends its lifespan. By addressing mold promptly and taking preventive measures, you’ll save yourself time, money, and headaches in the long run. So, roll up your sleeves and show that mold who’s boss!

Neutral Colors

According to the color experts at Sherwin-Williams, “It’s not always warm or cool. Sometimes color falls in the middle for a hue that’s a perfect blend of both. Neutrals can take on the meaning of the colors they’re paired with or they can stand on their own. Either way, these transitional hues are tried and true thanks to their timeless appeal and versatility.”

An air of mystery surrounds this bold hue that’s commonly associated with power, elegance and an ability to coordinate with any design style. While this color is most often used as an accent, we’re starting to see it take center stage in newer design trends. Dark shades are working their way into our homes more and more to create a space that’s rich, dramatic and full of dimension. Create a contemporary look by pairing black with rich jewel tones or play up its softer side with natural wood tones and neutral furnishings.
It’s technically the absence of color, but when it comes to white, there’s more than meets the eye. Known for its light and innocence, this hue can often be viewed as simple, but a variety of tints and tones proves there’s more complexity than you’d think. Bright whites can help design a space that feels larger and spacious, while softer whites create a sense of warmth and coziness. No matter which way it’s used, this neutral provides a backdrop for endless options.
The conservative nature of this balanced shade infuses spaces with the mystery of black and the lightness of white. Lighter shades of gray can be used to achieve bright modern looks, whereas darker shades can be used to create a bolder space that’s more dramatic, but gray’s versatility doesn’t stop there. It comes in a variety of shades with undertones ranging from red to blue and everything in between.
Rounding out the warm end of the neutral spectrum is a nurturing hue that comes in a variety of tints and tones. Like its gray counterpart, beige is a great transitional color that can take on warm or cool depending on what’s surrounding it. Its natural warmth derives from brown undertones that capture the comfort and calmness that we all seek in a home.

Whatever your color choice, we can apply with all of the expert care and preparation a long-lasting paint job requires. Call the Paint Doctor 541-497-3804

March 2025 Color of the Month Frank Blue

Let your creativity take center stage with Frank Blue, a dynamic cobalt that celebrates your desire to be different. Whether you’re looking to intensify cabinetry or play up decorative structures, this striking shade turns any home feature into a focal point. Perfect for open concepts, Frank Blue fills negative space with mood-boosting vibrancy. Make a statement with this eclectic hue.

Frank Blue is a bold for those who want to change the mood of the room.

Violet undertones add a touch of bold personality to this electric cobalt.

These colors coordinate well with Frank Blue.

If your are needing a little spring in your spring, spring into action and give us a call about adding some bold color to your environment. We can also help with more subtle tones! Mike 541-497-3804