US exterior painting trends, color guides, costs per sq ft and HOA-friendly palettes. Articles written by US-based contractors covering Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr, with region-specific tips for Sun Belt, Pacific Northwest and New England climates.
Exterior painting & siding: cost per square foot across Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Denver and Seattle. Hardie board vs vinyl siding vs stucco repaint comparisons.
US paint brands in depth: Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, Behr Marquee, PPG Timeless - paint sheen guides and climate durability from Sun Belt heat to Pacific Northwest rain.
HOA, permits & climate: HOA-approved palettes, city permit requirements, and picking exterior colors that hold up in Florida humidity, Arizona sun, or New England winters.
Worldly Gray (LRV 57, taupe) is the softer greige; Revere Pewter (LRV 55.5, tan-green) has more depth and a warmer lean. Cross-brand, same family, undertone decides.
Repose Gray (LRV 58, violet-brown) is a mid-tone warm gray; Classic Gray (LRV 74) is a barely-there warm greige offset. Cross-brand, depth decides.
Mindful Gray (LRV 48, taupe) is the deeper warm gray; Gray Owl (LRV 66, green-blue) is the lighter cool gray. Cross-brand, depth and undertone both diverge.
Shoji White (LRV 74, greige-taupe) is the deeper, more putty off-white; White Dove (LRV 85, gray-cream) is the classic warmer white. Cross-brand, depth decides.
Eider White (LRV 73, gray-taupe) is the deeper soft white-gray; White Dove (LRV 85, gray-cream) is the classic warmer white. Cross-brand, depth decides.
Alabaster (LRV 82, cream-greige) is the warmer, creamier white; Simply White (LRV 89.5, faint yellow) is the brighter, cleaner white. Cross-brand, the two biggest white names.
Snowbound (LRV 83, gray-pink) is the softer, cooler white; Chantilly Lace (LRV 90.4, near-pure) is the crisper, cleaner white. Cross-brand, brightness decides.
Greek Villa (LRV 84, cream-yellow) is the warmer, creamier white; White Dove (LRV 85, gray-cream) is the softer, more muted white. Cross-brand, undertone decides.
Tricorn Black (LRV 3, true black, neutral) vs Onyx (LRV 5, softer near-black): the two blackest paints from the two biggest brands. Depth and purity decide.
Iron Ore (LRV 6, green-brown) is the darker near-black; Kendall Charcoal (LRV 12, green-brown) is the lighter warm charcoal. Cross-brand, depth decides.
Urbane Bronze (LRV 9, brown-bronze) is the lighter warm bronze; Black Fox (LRV 5, brown-black) is the deeper near-black. Same brand, depth and warmth decide.
Peppercorn (LRV 10, neutral charcoal) is the lighter, neutral dark; Cyberspace (LRV 6, blue-gray) is the deeper, cooler dark. Cross-brand, temperature and depth decide.
Drift of Mist (LRV 69, green whisper) is the warmer, softer light gray; Gray Owl (LRV 66, green-blue) is the cooler, crisper light gray. Cross-brand, temperature decides.
Anew Gray (LRV 51, taupe-cream) is the deeper, warmer greige; Agreeable Gray (LRV 60, cream-beige) is the lighter, airier greige. Same brand, depth decides.
Dovetail (LRV 26, greige-gray) is the lighter mid-gray; Gauntlet Gray (LRV 17, warm charcoal) is the deeper warm gray. Same brand, depth decides.
Sea Salt (LRV 63, green-gray) is the greener, airier coastal color; Palladian Blue (LRV 61, blue-green) is the bluer, more spa-like coastal color. Cross-brand, undertone decides.
Oyster Bay (LRV 62, sage-green) is the warmer, more green coastal; Sea Salt (LRV 63, green-gray) is the more neutral, shifty coastal. Cross-brand, undertone decides.
Evergreen Fog (LRV 30) is the deeper, moodier sage; October Mist (LRV 47) is lighter and airier. The tiebreaker is your room's light, not undertone.
Evergreen Fog (LRV 30) is the deeper, moodier sage; Sea Salt (LRV 63) is the lighter, airier coastal sage. The tiebreaker is your room's light, not undertone.
Evergreen Fog (LRV 30) is the lighter mid sage; Pewter Green (LRV 12) is the deeper, earthier cabinet green. The tiebreaker is how much drama you want.
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