How to Color Match Siding for Replacement
Replacing your damaged siding sounds like a straightforward project until you start trying to match the color. You may just have a cracked panel or a section that needs to be replaced because of age, but finding a new piece that blends with the rest of your home can be more complicated than simply choosing a color from a chart.
The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way in this process. Following the right steps can help you find the closest match and avoid a repair that doesn’t blend in.
Identify the Siding
Compare in Natural Light
Consider the Whole Exterior
Step 1: Identify Your Existing Siding
Before you start searching for replacement siding, figure out exactly what is currently installed on your home. If you know the manufacturer, or the style, or even the color name, it gives you the best chance of finding a close match.
Start by checking:
- Original siding paperwork or installation records
- Leftover siding pieces stored in your garage or shed
- Manufacturer markings on the back of siding pieces
- Photos from when the home was originally built
- Previous contractor information
If you cannot find any of that information, an experienced siding contractor can often help identify the material by looking at the texture and installation style.
Account for Fading
Older siding rarely matches new pieces exactly
Plan The Repair
Choosing the right materials makes all the difference
Work With Experts
Experience will help to deliver the best match
Step 2: Understand Why Siding Colors Change
One of the biggest surprises homeowners have is learning that new siding may not look exactly like the original, even if you find the exact same color.
Exterior materials naturally change after years of exposure, especially with Idaho weather bringing snow and wind that can slowly affect the appearance of your home’s siding.
Common reasons siding looks different over time include:
- UV exposure from the sun
- Weather conditions
- Dirt and buildup
- Oxidation
- Changes in manufacturing over the years
A replacement piece may match the original color name but still look slightly different next to siding that has been outside for many years.
The best siding color match starts with understanding how your home’s exterior has changed over time.
Step 3: Compare Siding Samples in Natural Light
Lighting makes a huge difference when comparing exterior colors. A siding sample that looks perfect inside a showroom could look really different once it is actually installed.
When comparing options, be sure to look at the sample in direct sunlight and during different times of the day. Putting it next to the original siding on your house is going to help you match it more accurately.
Step 4: Decide If a Small Repair Is Enough
Sometimes replacing one or two siding panels is the right solution. Other times, people can get a better result by replacing a larger section.
A repair on the side of your home may blend easily but a replacement near the front entrance or another highly visible area may require a more careful color-matching approach.
Step 5: Match More Than Just the Siding
Siding is only one part of your home’s exterior. Your trim, corners, soffits, fascia, window areas, and other accents all will impact the finished look.
A siding replacement project is a great opportunity for you to look at your entire exterior as a whole and make sure everything works together! Sometimes, a small update to trim or accent pieces can make your siding replacement area blend much better.
This is especially helpful during larger exterior remodeling projects in Idaho Falls, where homeowners are updating multiple features at the same time.
Step 6: Work With an Experienced Siding Contractor
Ordering siding before you are confident about the match is something that has left other homeowners feeling so frustrated with extra costs adding up.
Campbell’s Quality Exteriors can help to identify your current siding materials and recommend the best replacement approach. Our team is deeply familiar with how Idaho weather affects these exterior materials and we can help you find solutions that look great and hold up over time.
If you are searching for siding replacement in Idaho Falls or need help matching damaged siding, we are ready to help! Contact our team to discuss your options and find the right approach for restoring your home’s exterior.