Start With the Parts of the House That Are Staying
Your new siding has to work with everything you are not replacing. That usually means the roof, the windows and any brick or stone. Look at those first. Then narrow down the siding colors.
The roof sets the tone. Gray and black shingles go well with grays, blues and crisp whites. Brown shingles look better with tans, creams and warm greens.
Check the window frames too. If your windows are white, hold each siding sample right next to one. Some whites and creams clash when they sit side by side.
Popular Vinyl Siding Colors for Long Island Homes
Most vinyl siding lines offer the same basic color families. Here is how each one tends to work on Long Island houses.
- White and off-white. A classic look on capes and colonials. White shows dirt and mildew sooner, especially on shady walls.
- Grays. Light and medium grays suit almost any style. They look sharp with white trim and black shutters.
- Blues and blue-grays. These fit the coastal look that many South Shore and North Shore homes go for.
- Greens. Sage and muted greens work well on wooded lots.
- Tans and beiges. These pair well with brown roofs and red brick.
- Dark colors. Charcoal, navy and deep green give a bold modern look. They need more care when you choose a product.
Torn between two colors? Pick the lighter one for the main walls. You can add the darker shade on the shutters or the front door.
What to Know Before Choosing a Dark Vinyl Color
Dark vinyl soaks up more heat from the sun than light vinyl. Older dark vinyl could warp on hot walls. Many newer lines use pigments made to handle the heat of darker colors.
All vinyl fades a little over the years. The fading shows more on dark colors. Walls that get the most sun fade first. That is usually the south and west sides.
Most manufacturers offer a warranty against fading. Ask to see what it covers before you choose a dark shade.
Reflected sunlight is one more thing to check. Light bouncing off a neighbor's energy-efficient windows can distort vinyl siding. Any color can be affected, but dark colors absorb more heat.
Vinyl Siding Colors Near the Water
Homes near the water get more wind, salt spray and sun on their exposed walls. Those walls tend to lose color first. Lighter colors hide fading better than dark ones.
On the North Shore, this often shows up on the walls that face the Sound. Live in a town like Glen Head? Ask your Long Island siding company to point out a nearby house with that color. A few summers of sun show you more than a new sample can.
How to Pick Trim, Shutter and Door Colors
Most houses look best with two or three outside colors. Use one for the siding and one for the trim. Save the third for the shutters or the front door.
Light siding usually looks best with white trim and darker shutters. Dark siding looks sharp with bright white trim. The front door is a good spot for a bolder color.
Trim around windows and doors is often wrapped in aluminum or vinyl to match. Ask which trim colors come with the siding line you like. It is easier to pick them together.
Check HOA and Village Rules First
Some neighborhoods have rules about exterior colors. Many HOAs do. Some historic districts also review exterior changes.
Many Long Island villages run their own building departments. If you live in one, ask whether exterior work needs any review beyond the permit. Check before you order siding. Changing it later is expensive.
How to Test Vinyl Siding Colors Before You Commit
Do not pick siding from a screen or a brochure. Neither one shows true color. Use real samples instead.
- Get full-size sample pieces, not just small chips.
- Hold them against the house on a sunny wall and a shady wall.
- Look at them in the morning and again late in the day.
- Step back to the street. A whole wall looks lighter than a small sample.
- Drive past homes that already have the color you like.
Deciding between standard and insulated vinyl siding? Compare samples from each line. The color choices can differ between them.
Getting Help Choosing a Vinyl Siding Color
Ask the installer to bring real samples to your house. They can also tell you which colors come in the line you are pricing.
Long Island Siding Co can match you with a contractor for vinyl siding installation. The service covers Nassau and Suffolk County. Our page on siding contractors on Long Island explains how the free matching works.
Or call (631) 565-8124 to talk through colors and get a free quote.
Vinyl Siding Color Questions
What is the most popular vinyl siding color?
Whites, grays and beiges are among the most common choices. Blues and blue-grays are also popular on coastal homes. The best color for your house depends on your roof, trim and street.
Does dark vinyl siding fade faster?
Fading shows more on dark colors than on light ones. All vinyl fades a little over time, mostly on the sunniest walls. Many newer dark colors use pigments made to resist heat and fading. Check the manufacturer's color warranty before you choose.
Can you paint vinyl siding a different color later?
Yes, with a paint made for vinyl. Painting vinyl darker than its original color can cause warping. That is why paint makers list vinyl-safe colors. Painting may also affect the siding warranty, so check it first.
Do some vinyl siding colors cost more?
Sometimes. On some product lines, darker or specialty colors cost more than whites and light neutrals. The difference depends on the brand and the line. Ask to see it itemized on the quote.
