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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-10-20, Page 29THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1999. PAGE 29. JJome Improvement Use daylight for siding selection If you’re selecting new siding colours, be sure to see them in the light of day. Colour is affected by the kind of light it's viewed under. Homeowners typically sit down with a remodeling contractor at home after work to review colour samples, says Gary Heitsch, who dispenses consumer information at a manufacturer of siding-system products. But colours look different under artificial, interior lighting than they do outdoors in natural daylight where the siding will be installed. “Take siding samples outside to view their true hues,” Heitsch says. “Stepping outdoors will shed light on your colour quandary.” And size matters when it comes to colour samples. Ask your contractor for a foot or two of siding in the colours you’re considering. A small “colour chip” can be deceiving. “A small chip will generally look lighter than the same colour applied to a large area,” writes Will Chamow, author and exterior remodelling contractor. “If you can’t decide on two shades of the same colour, it’s usually safer to choose the lighter one.” Have someone hold up the samples next to the house at various times of day, while you stand several yards back and observe. Test them at each side of the house to see how they look in light from various directions. COLOUR AND CONTEXT Moving your decision-making outdoors also puts colours into a larger context. Remodellers say you need to consider siding colours from these angles: • Architectural elements - Be sure the colour looks good with your roof, as well as with any brick, stone or other masonry - unless you’re planning to change these elements. The siding colour can either blend or contrast; don’t let it clash. • Immediate environment - find a colour that harmonizes with the scenery around your house. Decide if you want the house to stand out or blend quietly into its setting. There is also a matter of perspective: dark colours make a house look smaller and fatther from the street. Light colours do the opposite. • Neighbourhood norms - You want your home to stand out handsomely, without looking out of place. “Colour acceptability depends on the colour and style of adjacent properties,” writes McElroy. “Neighbourhood harmony and property values are at stake.” McElroy says neighbours asked him to redo his own house because its light tan colour stuck out in a development of medium tan and brown homes. • Climate control - Light colours reflect heat, darker colours absorb it. In hot climates, light colours predominate. Major manufacturers offer maintenance-free vinyl, aluminum and steel siding with durable finishes in upwards of 25 colours, yielding thousands of siding, trim and accent colour combinations. According to Heitsch, shades of white and earth tones, like beige and tan, remain the most popular siding colours, but soft shades of gray, blue and yellow have begun cropping up on his company’s best­ seller list. £ £ £g j • Backhoeing • Bulldozing • Loader & Truck Rental £ £ £ £ £ £ JOHN McKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. • Sand • Gravel • Drainage Stone • Topsoil • Screened Topsoil • 1" Terra Stone • White Marble • Bark Mulch • Licensed Septic Installations Fall fix-ups With fail here, most homeowners know exactly what kind of fix-up work needs to be done on the house before the cold weather arrives. From painting to weatherproofing to putting in storm windows, there are plenty of challenging home­ improvement projects to tackle before the winter settles in. In addition to the “big” projects, there also are a number of simple home improvements that do not have to be a struggle, but that can make a world of difference when it comes to the appearance of the home. Some of the finest home Continued on page 30 s 3 3 3 81 887-9061 FAX 887-9999