3 Pros Talk Top Exterior Trends

Exterior design trends can come and go quickly. Keeping up with what's in and what's out, especially when it comes time for your exterior renovation, can be tough even with online searches and inspiration.

To get to the heart of today's trends, we talked to a few building professionals about new trends in home siding. From colors to materials and more, here are their takes on the latest building trends.

#1: Trending Exterior House Colors

According to Buck Christensen, owner and president of Eagle Siding, Inc., dark grays and blues take center stage. “We're doing a lot of dark colors—dark grays and blues—with white trim,” he reflects.

“Gray, white and black are very prevalent ties to the new American farmhouse aesthetic,” adds Ben Bogie, production manager at Kolbert Building in Portland, Maine. His experience has shown that trending exterior house colors tend to align with overall exterior design trends.

“When a potential client comes to see the work,” Oliver Goodman of Goodman Construction notes, “the first thing they see is the exterior. You definitely want it to be eye-catching.” Including an on-trend color in your remodel can lead to stunning curb appeal.

Christensen turns to LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding materials when homeowners want color flexibility. With its diverse selection of durable building materials that are pre-primed for exceptional paint adhesion, homeowners can select any color they'd like to fit their unique preferences.

#2: Board and Batten

As the modern farmhouse aesthetic has continued to gain popularity, board and batten style siding has seen a huge resurgence as an exterior design trend. Christensen observes that many homeowners are looking for an alternative to shakes. “It seems like people are ready for something different,” he adds. “Even five years ago, we were hardly doing any board and batten.”

LP SmartSide Trim & Siding offers customization for the board and batten style so homeowners can make the trend their own and create unique curb appeal. According to Christensen, "You can do so many different things with LP SmartSide Trim & Siding. For example, use thinner or wider batten strips, or even varying widths to make the style your own." Goodman confirms that the modern farmhouse interior look has impacted what homeowners want for their exterior look. "It all has to flow," he says.

#3: Smooth Finish Siding

LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is available in cedar texture and a smooth finish option, which is rising in popularity. Bogie observes that his customers tend to opt for the smooth finish when it comes to creating trending exterior looks.

Specifically, the smooth finish is a great choice for the board and batten look, enabling homeowners to achieve the clean, crisp look with ease.

#4: Mixing Materials

Gone are the days of one material cladding an entire home. Mixing materials is one of the latest home exterior design trends. Christensen notes that it's common to see up to four different products on the front of a house. "Typically, the sides have lap siding, and the front completes the curb appeal," he says.

Goodman identifies stone as a popular material that is mixed with siding. By incorporating many different materials into one cohesive design, homeowners can make their home stand out.

#5: Durability and Resiliency

According to Bogie, durable exterior siding options are on the rise. "We're seeing a push for more resilient exterior products," he says. "This includes products that hold up to moisture better, have fewer movement issues and allow for easier maintenance."

Christensen reports, “LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is capable of standing up to extreme weather elements, while still looking the same as the day I put it on.” Bogie adds, “If installed correctly, LP products will be very resilient to dings, dents, scratches and baseballs.”

Goodman notes that he looks for warranties first. As one of the most durable siding options on the market, LP SmartSide products offer great peace of mind with an industry-leading 5/50-year limited warranty.

Making It Your Own

In the next few years, exterior design trends may even get a little more out-of-the-box as people put their personal touches on designs. According to Bogie, "Design sensibilities have become more mainstream than ever, so we're definitely seeing people branch out from traditional design elements."

What will you design for your home? Try out new colors and styles with the LP SmartSide Home Visualizer, and get inspiration in our galleries.