Exterior paint colour advice needed

[Deux]

We intend to have the outside of our house painted and I just can't make my mind up.

We are in a semidetached. I don't think I want a cream colour as they seem to yellow over time and don't want pure brilliant white as that just seems too stark.

So what are my options, really?

Should I paint it the same colour as my neighbour? They have this paint though it looks much paler on the building. www.diy.com/nav/decor/paint/exterior-paint/natural-brown-cream/masonry-paints/5l/Dulux-Weathershield-Textured-Masonry-Paint-Gardenia-5L-9190580

I suppose I am looking for some shade of off white.

So here's an appeal to F & B experts. What would be good in F & B? The front of our house faces east. The bottom third of the house is red brick and the rest is rendered.

The front door is painted in F & B French Gray which I love though I am bitterly disappointed that it has faded so much. Will probably repaint it in this or a blue.

Door furniture is currently brass though I am thinking of changing to chrome/silver or is this passé?

the yellowing of some modern oil paint occurs when it doesn't get sunlight, so should not happen on external surfaces.

Piglet John. Thanks, the front of the house gets lots of sunlight till early afternoon. I am a bit of a Dulux fan, what do you think is the best brand for exterior walls?

Try to go for a lighter shade as dark colours and shades will flake due to absorbing heat from the sun very quickly.

when you say walls, you mean masonry paint? That's a water paint so does not yellow. I thought you meant gloss for woodwork.

I use Dulux Weathershield smooth. The basic range of tinned colours is cheaper than the mix-to-order range.

There are so many potential light shades, that's where I am coming unstuck!

Would it look odd if our house was painted the same colour as next door, or are we better off with a slightly different shade?

PJ, yes it was masonry paint I was meaning. If I go for a Dulux Weathershield, it will restrict my choice to 2 shades, no bad thing.

Dulux Weathershield is made in quite a few standard colours, and the trade centre can mix others to order at greater cost.

White and Magnolia are usually the most popular colours, and will be cheaper, and held in stock, especially in the DIY sheds

All the paint manufacturers change their set of "standard" colours every few years. For example I use Dark brown for my concrete fence posts, to blend in with the stained timber, and some years it is only available to special order. I notice Suffolk Pink is not standard this year. The high street shops like Wilkinsons usually sell only the half-dozen most popular colours from the current set, especially White, Magnolia, Black, and Brick Red. This means that if you have a less popular colour, you may be unable to match it another year.

I think a semi looks better painted the same as its partner, and if neighbours agree, a painter will usually give a better price to do them together. It doesn't work if one is freshly painted and the other is shabby.

Painting concrete fence posts, you say? Who knew! That's something else added to my list of exterior painting jobs.

I think you're right regarding both semis painted in the same colour. Our neighbour's was done in Weathershield gardenia about 18 months ago so I'm guessing there will be a slight variation in colour if we paint ours the same. But shouldn't be too bad.

What is the fence stain that is very dark brown, almost black, do you know? I,ve often looked for it but never found it. Thx!

might have been old creosote. No longer made for health reasons.

I would go for off white, I don't like creams with a yellow undertone. The weather shield 'jasmine' looks the closest.

My house is rendered 'white', it is not brilliant white it is a chalky white. I really like it. My windows are a dark warm grey andmy front door is oak. Ie the standard contemporary look.

I think painting your house the same as your nieghbours is also a good idea, as long as you like the colour .

We are just about to do this and wondered if you had any advice. Thinking of Ash white, but hope its not to yellow/brown