The Siding Color Wheel: 18 Shades, 7 Families, One Right Answer for Your House
Siding colors are the biggest color decision on the outside of a house. They cover more surface than the roof, trim, and door combined, and they set the mood for everything around them.
Trends come and go, so this guide skips the hype. Try 18 real siding colors on a real house, meet the seven color families, and pair them with your roof before you pick.
Try 18 Siding Colors on a Real House
This home wears CertainTeed CedarBoards insulated siding. Tap a color to recolor only the siding; the roof, stone, and trim stay exactly as they are.
Colors are approximate. We bring full-size samples to every estimate.
Screens can’t show color perfectly, so treat this as a starting point and finish with real samples. CedarBoards bonds foam to the back of each panel; see our insulated vinyl siding page and energy efficient siding guide.
The 7 Families of Siding Colors Homeowners Ask About
Most siding colors fall into one of seven families. Each card shows the CedarBoards shades in that family, where it shines, and what to watch for.
Whites & creams
Snow, Colonial White, Heritage Cream
Bright and classic. They make trim colors and a dark door stand out, and they suit Colonials and farmhouses.
Watch for Pure white shows dirt and mildew sooner on the shady side; a cream softens that.
Warm beiges
Sandstone Beige, Desert Tan, Savannah Wicker
The easiest to live with. Warm beiges sit comfortably next to brown and weathered-wood roofs and most brick.
Watch for Go a shade darker than you think; large walls in sunlight read lighter than the chip.
Light & mid grays
Sterling Gray, Flagstone, Granite Gray
Clean and modern without going dark. Grays pair naturally with charcoal and pewter roofs.
Watch for Check the undertone. A gray that leans green or purple shows it on a whole wall.
Charcoal & deep tones
Charcoal Gray, Herringbone, Sable Brown
Dramatic and current, especially with white trim and black windows.
Watch for Dark colors absorb more sun. Ask how the product line handles fading and heat.
Blues
Pacific Blue, Oxford Blue
From soft slate to deep navy, blue reads calm and confident and works with gray and black roofs.
Watch for Navy next to a brown roof can fight it. Hold the samples together first.
Greens
Spruce, Cypress
Muted greens settle a house into its trees and landscaping, a great fit for wooded lots.
Watch for Pick the green with the landscaping in view, in summer and in winter.
Reds & clays
Natural Clay, Autumn Red
Warm and traditional. Barn reds and clays suit farmhouses and pair with cream trim.
Watch for Reds look right with a neutral roof and very little else competing.
Texture changes color too. The same shade looks different on clapboard, shakes, and board and batten because each profile casts its own shadows; compare them in vinyl siding styles. For seasonal palettes, see fall siding trends.
Pair Siding Colors With Your Roof
The roof is the one color you’ll live with longest, so siding colors should be chosen to work with it. Tap a GAF shingle color to see three siding colors we’d put under it.
A charcoal roof is the most flexible starting point. Whites, light grays, and deep blues all look sharp under it.
Pewter’s cool gray blend pairs with cool siding. Keep the undertones in the same family.
A gray-brown blend that bridges warm and cool. Creams, beiges, and muted greens let it shine.
A warm brown roof wants warm siding. Tans and wickers keep it cozy; a deep green adds contrast.
These are our design team’s starting points, not rules. See more shingle options in top shingle colors, and finish the look with the right front door from our door guide.
How to Test Siding Colors Like a Pro
- Start with what stays. Consumer Reports advises accounting for the roof, stonework, and landscaping first.
- Take samples outside. Natural light makes colors look lighter, so judge siding colors in full sun, not on the porch.
- Look at different times. Check morning, midday, and evening, and on the shady side of the house.
- Go a little deeper. Because walls in daylight read lighter, many homeowners end up one step darker than their first pick.
- Ask about fading. CertainTeed backs lines like American Legend with its PermaCOLOR system and lifetime fade protection.
CertainTeed’s ColorCoach lets you build whole palettes, and our Exterior Design Center has the real panels side by side.
Color Help From the People Who Install It
Wilbur Thrush founded Thrush & Son in 1960. W. Allen Thrush owns the company today, and Corey Thrush is the third generation. More than 31,000 Miami Valley homeowners have trusted us, from our Brookville headquarters and offices in Troy and Lebanon.
We install CertainTeed siding, GAF roofing, trim, and Masonite doors, so we help you choose colors with every other piece in view. For the full design process, see designing your home and 5 exterior design ideas. Browse the project gallery and homeowner reviews.
Siding Colors: Your Questions, Answered
What homeowners ask us most before they pick a palette.
What are the most popular siding colors?
The families homeowners ask us about most are whites and creams, warm beiges, grays, charcoal and other deep tones, blues, muted greens, and reds and clays. The right one depends on your roof, stone or brick, and the style of the house.
How do I choose siding colors that go with my roof?
Start with the roof, since it stays for decades. Match undertones: cool roofs like charcoal and pewter pair with cool siding, and warm brown roofs pair with warm siding. Hold real samples together outside.
Why does siding look different on the house than on the sample?
Light changes everything. Consumer Reports notes that natural light makes colors look lighter and suggests checking a color in full sun at different times of day.
Do dark siding colors fade?
Any color can change over time in strong sun, which is why the color system matters. CertainTeed backs lines like American Legend with its PermaCOLOR system and lifetime fade protection. Ask what the warranty says about the exact color you choose.
Can I try a color before I decide?
Yes. Use the visualizer on this page, CertainTeed’s ColorCoach, and real samples at our Exterior Design Center.
Should trim be white?
Not always. White trim is crisp and classic, but cream suits warm palettes and black or dark trim gives a modern look. Keep trim, windows, and gutters consistent around the house.
See the Real Samples on Your House
Bring your favorite siding colors from the visualizer. We’ll hold real panels against your roof and stone, in your light, and give you a written estimate with no pressure. Ask about financing.
Call 937-833-5136 · Office: Mon–Thu 9–4, Fri 9–2 · Michelle, our AI assistant, answers 24/7
