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Bright whites for exteriors

Article summary:

  • Reasons to choose white for your building
  • Points to consider when selecting your specific white colour
  • Photo examples

Want a bright white paint colour for your exterior? 

White is an excellent colour to paint on your building – because it absorbs much less heat, the paint is going to last longer. 

In hot climates, choosing white is also an environmental choice – it will lessen the load on your cooling systems.

Lighter colours are less likely to fade, and faded paint is paint that’s breaking down.

The only downside is that white will show dirt and grime a bit more – so you may want to wash down your building every few years.

..but there’s an advantage to this, because keeping your house clean will also help the paintwork last longer.

Paint that’s in good condition is protecting the substrate.

So, which white?

This is kind of a joke with no punchline – there are so many whites to choose from.

Here are points you need to consider when choosing a white:

  • What other colours are on the property that the new white wall colour will need to complement? (This will affect the type of whites available to you, if you want to make sure your new white doesn’t alienate existing colours.) 
  • Are your walls reflecting greenery, lots of blue sky, or coloured paving and driveway? (This will affect the appearance of your colour.)
  • All colours on exteriors will look lighter and brighter than their colour chip appears – so choose a shade darker than you think you’ll need.
  • Make sure you see paint samples – best practice is to paint up a nice large same board or area on your walls, to see the colours in different light.

White walls in action

Some will say that white isn’t really a colour – and if we’re talking about a pure blast of full spectrum sunlight, then they’d be correct.

But truth is, what we’re calling “white” in paint colours actually covers a wide range of subtle tones and hues.

For example, below you’ll see a colour which appears to be a light soft grey – Vanilla Quake Quarter – but on a large exterior expanse looks white.

And White Starlight, below, looks creamy when seen close up, which is perfect when seeking a white that compliments warm pre-finished substrates like terracotta tiles or Classic Cream powder coat window frames.

Buiding painted with white colour called Vanilla Quake Quarter
These walls are painted in Vanilla Quake Quarter, which is a fresh, clean white in-situ, but appears as a light grey when looking close-up at a colour chip.
Paint swatch of white colour Vanilla Quake Quarter
These walls are painted in colour called White Starlight
The cream-based white painted here is called White Starlight - perfect for complementing terracotta tiles and cream window frames.
Colour swatch of White Starlight
Apartment tower walls painted in Natural White
These super bright tower walls are painted in Natural White. This was almost blinding when first painted! But has since toned down a little. ..still super bright.
Colour swatch of Natural White
Apartment tower painted with Casper White Half on side walls.
The side walls of this apartment tower are painted in Casper White Half, a fresh, bright white.

There are so many whites to choose from.  If you need help selecting which one, please email Digital Overlay!