Pros and Cons of a Dark Exterior

Dark colors provide drama and depth, and dark-colored houses give the impression that you aren't scared to stand out. However, it is a hue that requires a lot of upkeep compared with light-colored exteriors. Let’s list down the pros and cons of this type of exterior and see if it fits you and your home.‍

Pros:

1. Black for Dauntless

Black and other darker hues for the home exterior will surely give your home a dramatic appeal. It’s the same with your spooky Halloween costume for a bountiful trick or treat. The color itself is already a beauty and provides a bold visual statement, and requires only a few accessories to finish the appearance. To add more character to your dark-colored exterior, you can always opt to add a light-colored accent to your home, like white-painted window frames or doors, to stand out more.

2. Accentuating the Scenery

If your home is located near mountains or has foliage around it, having it go dark will focus more on its nature. It gives a modern rustic style, and it draws attention to its surroundings. It also allows the eye to distinguish between different hues of green more quickly. Against a black wall or fence, yellow-green and blue-green leaves seem more diverse and layered, making plants appear lusher.

3. Powerful Visual Statement

Pairing diverse texture and elements with a solid black hue are excellent since it may complement many unique looks, even if it appears conflicting. Plain and basic, black is a gorgeous and clean hue. Pitching the color black has a modern and fresh air to it. Black is dramatic, luxurious, mysterious, powerful, classy, glamour, sophistication. Mostly used for an industrial and contemporary style of the exterior.

Cons:

1. Unavoidable Fading

Source: https://onekindesign.com/2021/03/08/dramatic-modern-farmhouse/‍

Naturally, dark colors fade faster than light colors, and with home exteriors, sunlight and other factors can cause darker hues to fade. However, the longevity might be affected due to sunlight and changes in weather, with the proper preparations before installing the dark exterior and choosing the suitable exterior material.

2. Highlighting Flaws

Darker colors can indeed make a bold statement, but they can also highlight some flaws that your home exterior might have. It’s the same principle with cars; scratches are easily seen when your vehicle is darker than white cars. Nonetheless, repairing those flaws can be done first before installing a dark exterior to ensure the colors are not highlighted.

3. Heat Absorbent

Throughout many modern black house settings, the heat might be considered a limitation. Black absorbs more heat than white, so solar panels are generally black or charcoal in hue. A lighter-colored home will reflect the direct sunlight, keeping the interior temperature a little cooler. According to Science, black is the best heat absorber. It absorbs all visible light, resulting in a void of light. Black is the warmest color because it absorbs all wavelengths. It is also not recommended for a sunny climate, as dark colors absorb sunlight, causing energy costs up because the air conditioner runs more often to compensate for the increased heat absorption.

Going to the dark side has a few risks. Black and other dark colors, in general, fade way quicker than bright shades. Consider this: exteriors are always exposed to the light and the weather. As a result, you may find yourself needing to polish up your outside paintwork more frequently than the average homeowner, even though anti-fade paint technology has advanced significantly in recent years. So, now you've heard the pros and cons, are you willing to take the leap and paint the outside of your house black?