Refresh Your Red Brick Exterior with Our Favorite Siding Colors

Is your red brick home looking tired and worn? Are you bored with your existing siding color? Refreshing the exterior with new siding can instantly boost your home's curb appeal and give it an updated, stylish look. The key is choosing colors that enhance, rather than compete with, the existing red brick. With a complementary color scheme, you can highlight the best features of your home's architecture and create visual interest. Read on for inspiration to revive your exterior!

Assessing Your Existing Red Brick Exterior

When selecting new siding colors, it's important to assess the current state of your red brick exterior. Take some time to note the specific red tone and any variations. Red brick can range from bright cherry red to deeper, muted shades. Examine the brick in different lighting at various times of day to gauge how the color changes. Also look for undertones like orange, brown, or purple that come through. The undertone will impact which colors pair best with the brick.

In addition to the brick color, evaluate the condition and style of the brickwork. Are the bricks new or weathered? Does the pattern look formal or casual? Craftsman-style bricks with darker mortar joints will need a different color scheme than neat rows of uniform bricks. Any variations or imperfections in the bricks can help determine an appropriate aesthetic for the siding color.

Finally, pay attention to how the current siding color interacts with the red brick. Even if you plan to replace the siding, observing what works and what doesn't will guide better choices. Make notes on whether the existing color complements the brick or clashes with it. With these insights, you'll start off selecting new siding colors on the right foot.

Color Theory Principles for Red Brick and Siding

Understanding basic color theory principles helps immensely when choosing exterior colors. You want the brick and siding colors to coordinate, without blending into the same undistinguished shade. There are several approaches to combining colors for an attractive, unified look:

Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating high contrast. For red brick, shades of blue-green are perfect complements, making them eye-catching accent colors. Complementary colors also intensify each other, making red brick "redder" against blue-green siding.

Monochromatic color schemes use different shades, tints, and tones of one color. Going slightly darker, lighter, or more muted with red brick siding maintains harmony while adding subtle interest.

Analogous colors are adjacent on the color wheel, creating a cohesive palette. Red brick flows nicely into related warm shades of orange, terra cotta, and maroon siding.

Color value refers to how light or dark a color is. Lighter siding against darker brick instantly creates contrast and dimension. You can also use darker trim or accents against lighter brick walls for emphasis.

Balancing warm and cool undertones is key. A red brick house has dominant warmth. Adding small cool accent colors (blue shutters, gray siding) balances the scheme.

These foundational color principles set up success pairing any siding color with classic red brick for a stylish, pulled-together exterior.

Popular Siding Color Combinations with Red Brick

Now that we've covered the basics, let's explore some of the most popular, timeless siding colors to accentuate red brick exteriors:

Matching Reds

For a monochromatic scheme, choose siding in a red tone slightly lighter or darker than the brick. Lighter siding and darker brick will make the windows stand out. Darker siding with lighter brick creates an elegant contrast. Matching the exact red can look muddy, so go a few shades lighter or deeper for interest.

Classic Black

Nothing pops against red brick quite like crisp black siding and accents. The bold contrast adds drama and makes the home look chic. Black also enhances the redness of brick. Use it to frame windows or try black window boxes against red brick walls.

Cool Blues

Shades of blue complement red brick perfectly. Light powdery blues create a vintage vibe. Navy blue is bolder and more modern. Blue-gray can appear almost neutral while still harmonizing. Distressed blue siding on a historic red brick home achieves instant cottage charm.

Earthy Browns and Tans

For a more harmonious scheme, brown and tan siding blends seamlessly with red brick. Warm shades ranging from beige to brown enhance the brick color. Dark chocolate browns work well on Craftsman bungalows. Try a light stone beige for Spanish revival homes with terracotta accents.

Crisp White or Gray

White siding is a classic, elegant choice that allows red brick to take center stage. Softer gray or greige siding is equally versatile for a more modern feel. Both are light neutrals that don't compete with the dominant brick color. Use white or gray to achieve a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

These are just a few top-notch siding shades that always accent red brick beautifully. Within each color family, explore lighter and darker versions to find the perfect match for your home's style and architecture.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Siding Color

While personal preference plays a big role, several other factors impact what siding color works best:

Architectural Style: Does your home have craftsman, colonial, Tudor, or other distinctive architecture? Choosing a color scheme suited to the style will result in cohesive curb appeal.

Landscaping & Surroundings: Nearby foliage, natural elements, fencing, stonework, and even neighbors' exterior colors should influence the palette. Coordinate and complement the entire landscape.

Existing Interior Colors: While not mandatory, tying your exterior to interior colors through windows creates pleasant cohesion.

Natural Light: North-facing sides may need deeper, warmer siding colors. South-facing walls can handle lighter shades without glare.

Desired Aesthetic: Do you want your home to feel contemporary, traditional, rustic, romantic, minimal, or bold? This determines the color scheme.

Analyze these factors to pinpoint the perfect siding color for your red brick home's style and surroundings.

Paint or Stain for Wood, Fiber Cement, Vinyl, and Metal Siding

The material of your existing or new siding impacts the coloring process. Here's an overview:

Wood: Can be painted or stained. Paint adheres better but requires more frequent repainting. Stain penetrates wood for longer-lasting color.

Fiber Cement: Mimics wood grain but needs no grain filler. It can be painted in any color but not stained.

Vinyl: Limited to lighter colors since it's poor at resisting heat. Avoid painting vinyl siding.

Metal: Often has a baked-on enamel finish. Use specially formulated metal paints and primers.

Make sure your paints and stains are compatible with the siding type. Also consider texture - smooth planks vs. rough-cut wood have different visual effects against red brick. Match the brick's matte, porous finish for a cohesive overall look.

Accent Colors for Windows, Trim, Shutters, and Doors

Color schemes shouldn't end with siding. Accent colors on windows, trim, shutters, and doors tie everything together. Consider these tips:

- Use lighter shades on trim to make windows pop against siding. - Try a deeper accent color on window boxes or shutters. - Black or white trim provides sharp contrast against any siding color. - Paint front doors blue, green, red or other colors to personalize. - Coordinate with interior colors visible through windows.

Repeated accent colors create continuity. Contrasting accents make architectural details stand out. Take advantage of trims and accents to create interest against your new siding.

Seeing Color Combos in Real Life

While color charts, digital visualizers, and paint samples are useful, nothing beats seeing colors in real life. Here are easy ways to view potential color combinations:

- Order actual siding samples and view against your brick. - Check neighboring homes for inspiring exterior color ideas. - Drive through nearby neighborhoods with red brick architecture. - Find local homes on sites like Zillow and take notes. - Ask your painter to create on-site mockups of top contenders.

Lighting conditions drastically impact exterior colors. Viewing colors in person allows you to observe how they look at various times of day. Be sure to scrutinize colors on your home before finalizing the shades.

Prepping and Painting Siding for Best Results

With colors selected, proper prep work ensures your new siding and accents achieve maximum visual impact. Here are key tips:

- Inspect siding for damage and decay then repair. - Use proper cleaner and pressure-wash surface. - Sand glossy surfaces to improve paint adhesion. - Caulk gaps, prime bare wood, apply compatible primer. - Choose quality 100% acrylic exterior paint for durability. - Use flat or satin finish for brick and siding to reduce glare. - Higher gloss on accent trim adds richness.

Hiring a professional painter skilled in exteriors may be worthwhile for a project of this scale. But if tackling it yourself, those preparation steps will contribute to lasting, professional-looking results.

Reviving your home's curb appeal doesn't have to mean a major renovation. Simply updating the siding color to complement your existing red brick can give your exterior a fresh new style. Contrasting cool blues, classic black and white, or matching earth tones are perfect pairings that boost aesthetic appeal. Just be sure to properly assess your current brick exterior, understand color principles, and view combinations in person before finalizing your scheme. With a well-planned siding update in harmonious shades, you can bring new life to your red brick exterior.