Working with a client to select an exterior colour scheme involves a number of different considerations. Most importantly, do the colours chosen complement the exterior of the property? How should a painter and decorator select a colour scheme on behalf of a client, or advise them on how their choice may or may not work?
It’s crucial that any paint chosen for exteriors should be durable enough to withstand all that the British climate has to throw at it, and Bradite’s One Can certainly delivers in this respect. A primer, undercoat and topcoat combined, water-based One Can is tough and long lasting. It has excellent adhesion to a wide range of surface materials, including uPVC, and can be supplied with a matt or eggshell finish.
But most importantly for our subject, One Can is also available to be tinted in all RAL, BS and NCS colours. You can choose freely from this extensive colour range to select shades that will flawlessly complement your client’s home exterior. Many period properties are traditionally built out of stone. Warm neutral colours work well in this case, whether you are painting masonry, front doors, window frames, sills, soffits and more. Shades like RAL 9001, or 10 C 31 in the BS 4800 range, are firm favourites for many country houses. But if the client is happy to go with something a little more adventurous, consider a bold blue-green like BS 16 E 53.
For a more contemporary exterior, there’s also the option to create contrast with a dark, impactful shade. Try a deep navy like ‘106 – Royal Blue’ from BS 381C, or a dark grey-green like ‘220 – Olive Drab’. The latter is a popular choice for painting metal railings to ensure they blend into the surrounding greenery. Alternatively, a straightforward, no-nonsense jet black like RAL 9001 is great for painting garage doors and front doors.
Another popular substrate for home exteriors is, of course, red brickwork. Consider using bold shades of green on the front doors of these properties. As any artist will tell you, green is the complementary colour to red, so this is a failsafe colour choice to create instant kerb appeal. Consider rich greens like RAL 6016 or 6026. For painting exteriors, it’s advisable to avoid bright white shades that can be harsh on the eye. Instead, exteriors are an excellent place to experiment with brighter paint colours, and when it comes to front doors, it’s often the case that bolder is better.
If high impact is what the property owner is seeking, then a vibrant yellow such as aptly named ‘363 – Bold Yellow’ will make an undeniable statement. But if that doesn’t quite fit the bill, you can always suggest a softer pastel colour like the greyish pink BS 04 B 17, or a timeless blue like BS 14 C 35. Finally, it’s often a good idea to offer the client a test with a sample pot before they make their final choice. Once the colour is agreed, you can begin your masterpiece! www.bradite.com