Match Exterior Materials and Style
Nothing screams "afterthought" louder than an addition with mismatched siding, wrong-sized trim, or windows that don't align. Getting the exterior details right makes your addition look like it was always part of the original home—and protects your investment.
Quick Summary
Time needed
1-2 weeks (sourcing)
Cost impact
10-20% of exterior budget
Professional help
Architect + siding contractor
Why Matching Matters
Exterior material mismatches are visible from the street and affect curb appeal, which directly impacts home value. Real estate appraisers specifically note when additions don't integrate well—it can cost you 5-10% at resale.
The Weathering Problem
Even identical materials look different when new siding is installed next to 20-year-old siding. Sun fading, dirt accumulation, and oxidation create color shifts that no amount of matching can overcome—plan for this upfront.
Matching Your Siding
Identify Your Existing Siding
First, determine exactly what you have. Common residential siding types:
- •Vinyl: Plastic panels, hollow-backed, overlapping horizontal rows
- •Fiber cement (Hardie): Heavy, concrete-like boards, visible nail holes
- •Wood clapboard: Real wood, usually painted, shows grain at edges
- •Aluminum: Metal, hollow, dents easily, often chalky surface
- •Stucco: Textured plaster/cement coating directly on wall
- •Brick: Masonry veneer, typically 4" thick
Not sure? Remove a small piece from an inconspicuous area and bring it to a siding supplier for identification.
Measure Critical Dimensions
These measurements must match exactly:
- • Exposure: The visible width of each board (typically 4-8")
- • Profile: The shape—Dutch lap, clapboard, board-and-batten, etc.
- • Thickness: Critical for trim alignment at corners
- • Texture: Smooth, woodgrain, stucco, etc.
Pro tip: Even 1/4" difference in exposure creates a visible line where old meets new. If you can't find an exact match, consider re-siding an entire wall rather than blending.
Source the Match
Where to find matching siding:
- •Same manufacturer: Check underside of existing siding for brand stamps
- •Architectural salvage: For discontinued products or historic materials
- •Custom milling: Wood siding can be custom-milled to match any profile
- •Robbing from hidden areas: Remove existing siding from back of house for visible addition areas
When to Re-Side the Whole House
Sometimes matching isn't possible or practical. Re-siding everything creates a unified look and may be more cost-effective than you think.
Consider Full Re-Siding If:
- • Existing siding is 20+ years old
- • Product is discontinued
- • Significant fading or weathering
- • Addition covers 30%+ of facade
- • Existing siding has damage or rot
- • Upgrading insulation underneath
Re-Siding Adds Value
- • Fiber cement siding: 70-80% ROI
- • Vinyl siding: 65-75% ROI
- • Eliminates matching problems forever
- • Opportunity to improve insulation
- • Updated look boosts curb appeal
Budget Strategy
Get quotes for both: matching siding for just the addition AND full re-siding. The difference is often only 30-40% more for a dramatically better result.
Matching Trim and Windows
Exterior Trim
Trim around windows, doors, corners, and fascia boards should match in:
- • Width: 3.5" vs 5.5" trim is immediately noticeable
- • Profile: Flat, beveled, crowned—match the style
- • Material: Wood, PVC, composite, aluminum
- • Color: Match or intentionally paint all trim to match
Windows
Window matching is about more than just size:
- • Grid pattern: Colonial grids, prairie style, no grids
- • Frame color: White, almond, bronze, black—must match
- • Style: Single-hung, double-hung, casement
- • Head height: All window tops should align
- • Proportions: Tall and narrow vs. wide—maintain consistency
Window Alignment Rule
Window heads (tops) should align horizontally across the facade, even if windows are different sizes. This creates visual order that makes the addition feel intentional.
Matching Roof Materials
Roof material matching is often easier than siding because most shingle manufacturers keep colors available for decades. Here's how to approach it:
Find Your Existing Shingles
Look in the attic for extra shingles left by the original roofer, or carefully remove one from an inconspicuous spot. Check for manufacturer and color names printed on the back.
Color Matching Reality
Even the same shingle color from the same manufacturer will look different new vs. 10 years old. If your roof is more than 7-8 years old, consider: re-roofing both existing and addition together, or accepting some visible difference that will fade as the new shingles weather.
Architectural Shingles
If your home has 3-tab shingles and you're upgrading to architectural (dimensional) shingles on the addition, the thickness and shadow lines will never match. Plan to re-roof the entire visible area with the upgraded product.
Frequently Asked Questions
My brick home has a brick addition—can I match it?
Matching brick is very difficult. Even the same brick manufacturer produces batches with color variation. Solutions: use brick from a salvage yard that has aged similarly, choose a complementary but different brick pattern, or paint all brick for uniformity (controversial but effective).
Can I use different but complementary siding on the addition?
Yes—intentional contrast can look better than a bad match. Common approaches: horizontal siding on main house with board-and-batten on addition, or adding a different material (like stone veneer) as an accent on the addition. The key is making it look planned, not accidental.
How do I match paint colors that have faded?
Don't match the faded color—repaint. Cut a chip of existing paint from a protected area (under eaves) for the closest-to-original color. Most paint stores can computer-match it. Then paint both the addition AND at least the adjacent existing walls for a seamless result.
What about matching gutters and downspouts?
Gutters are relatively inexpensive to replace entirely. If your existing gutters are old, faded, or a discontinued color, replace all gutters on visible elevations when installing the addition. It's a small cost for a big visual improvement.
Ready for the Next Step?
With your exterior materials planned, the next critical step is getting structural engineering plans—the stamped drawings that prove your addition will be safe and meet building codes.