Changing Your House Color – What You Need to Know

Changing your house color may seem like a small change, but it has a major impact on the building’s appearance and atmosphere. Whether it’s a completely new color or refreshing the old shade, a painting project is an excellent way to revitalize your home’s look. But before you break out the paint, it’s good to know what regulations and permit practices you might encounter. Are the local building codes stricter than you thought? Are there color-restricting rules in your neighborhood?

In this article, we’ll dive into what changing your house color actually requires, how to choose the right shade, and what to consider when selecting your house color so the project goes smoothly and without surprises.

Can You Change a House Facade?

Changing a house facade is possible, but it may involve rules and restrictions that vary by area. If the house is located in a protected area, a culturally or historically significant building, or a strictly regulated zone, changes may require a building permit or notification to local building control. The City of Tampere writes about facade changes as follows:

“A façade change usually requires a permit if it significantly alters the building’s façade or the streetscape. Whether a permit is needed depends on factors such as the building’s location, type, style, age, and the characteristics of the surroundings.”

Let’s now explore in more detail the conditions and regulations related to changing house and roof colors.

Can You Change Your House Color?

Changing your house color is usually possible, but there may be restrictions depending on location and local regulations. For example, in protected areas such as historic neighborhoods or nature conservation areas, there may be rules that restrict appearance changes. The zoning plan may also specify a particular color palette or shade options for the area.

It’s also good to remember that housing associations may have their own regulations regarding exterior house colors.

Local building regulations may also set requirements, especially for older buildings. Before changing colors, it’s important to check whether changing your house color requires a permit and if there are other rules in the area that should be considered.

Can You Change the Roof Color?

Changing the roof color is possible but usually requires a permit from the local building control authority. Changing the roof shape, material, or color generally requires a building permit. The City of Jyväskylä writes about this as follows:

“To change the façade of a detached or semi-detached house, or to change the cladding or the roofing material or colour, you need to submit a notification. A change to the roof shape, and window and door changes in a small house require a minor works permit in a zoning plan area. Outside zoning plan areas, the notification procedure is enough.”

A building permit is also required if renovation work on a building significantly affects the building’s energy efficiency.

How to Choose Your House Color?

Choosing your house color should be done carefully, considering the building’s surroundings, the house’s style, and the local climate. It’s also good to think about what color house would fit the neighborhood. Look around, draw inspiration from nature, and consider which color combinations would work best in the area.

Colors create atmosphere: light colors make a space feel more open, while dark colors create depth and elegance. In the city, neutral colors often work well, while in the countryside, warmer shades are preferred.

When choosing a color, we recommend testing color samples in different lighting before making a decision. Tikkurila’s article explains this well:

“Colours often look lighter and brighter on a large surface surrounded by natural colours than they do as a small colour chip on a white background. Choose a slightly darker shade from the colour chart than what you want—this way you’re usually closer to the result you’re after.”

Do You Need to Report House Painting?

You generally don’t need to report house painting unless you’re changing the house color. However, if you live in an area with strict building regulations, the situation may be different.

As already mentioned in this article, protected areas and zoned areas may have restrictions regarding changing house colors. In such cases, it may be necessary to apply for a permit or notify the local authority of the change. It’s always good to check with local building authorities if you’re unsure whether house painting needs to be reported.

When Is a Building Permit Not Required?

A building permit is not required if the house color doesn’t change significantly and the new color complies with the area’s zoning plan. The City of Helsinki’s building control authority writes about building permits as follows:

“A permit isn’t needed if the work is based on a legally binding plan. The plan must, with sufficient accuracy, guide the placement of the work and its environmental impacts. “

However, it’s worth checking the exact area-specific requirements with building control authorities. Sometimes people ask whether a building permit can be applied for retroactively. A building permit can be applied for retroactively if the work was done without a permit. The authority will grant the permit if the completed work meets zoning and building regulations. Authorities may also order corrective measures if the completed work is not lawful or doesn’t meet the area’s requirements.

Can You Paint New Color Over Old Paint?

Yes, you can paint over old paint, but it’s important to ensure the old paint is in good condition – if it’s cracked or peeling, it should be removed with a paint scraper. The surface must also be thoroughly cleaned of dust, dirt, and grease so the new paint adheres properly. A previous article (painting old exterior walls) explains what to consider when painting over old paint:

“If the paint is cracking or flaking, remove it before repainting. It’s also a good idea to make sure the new paint is compatible with the old paint, since, for example, water-based paint may not adhere well to oil-based paint. If the surface is in poor condition, it may be necessary to use a primer before applying the new paint. “

How Many Coats Does a House Need with New Color?

Three coats of paint are generally recommended for wooden exterior cladding: the first coat is primer for bare wood areas, which protects the wood from moisture and improves paint adhesion. The second coat is an intermediate layer that improves paint durability and evens out the surface for the next coat. The third coat is the topcoat, which protects the wall from weather and wear. The number of paint coats affects the durability of the paint surface, as Sarah Robinson writes in her article:

“The durability of a paint finish is affected by the paint’s quality and type, as well as the number of coats applied.”

Quality exterior paint withstands varying weather and provides the best possible protection for walls. Before exterior painting, it’s important to ensure the wood surface is completely clean and dry before painting. If there have been previous paint coats on the surface, the condition of the old paint should be checked and removed from necessary areas before adding new coats. When the color changes only slightly and preparation work is minimal, painting once may sometimes be sufficient.

Who Should You Hire for House Painting?

When you need a painter, it’s good to choose a professional painting company with the right tools and expertise, which ensures quality workmanship and long-lasting paint surfaces. When choosing a painting company, it’s good to verify that the company has good references, the house painting price is reasonable, and the company has all necessary permits and insurance in force before starting work. At Väriset, we want to offer Finland’s best painting services. We perform exterior house painting as well as tile roof coating and cleaning reliably, respecting customer wishes. You can order our expert for a free assessment visit, where you’ll receive a thorough evaluation of your house’s facade and roof condition. Book a free assessment visit here!

Summary – Things to Consider When Changing House Color

Changing your house color is usually possible, but there may be rules that vary depending on where you live. If your house is in a protected area or historic neighborhood, the building facade may be subject to regulations that affect what color you can use on the exterior cladding or roof. Colors may also be restricted in zoned areas.

From an aesthetic perspective, when choosing a color, consider the building’s appearance and surroundings. In addition to the house naturally needing to please your own eye, when selecting a shade, it’s also worth considering that it fits well with the surrounding neighborhood.

When changing colors, the house should be painted or have it painted 1-3 times, depending on the condition of the exterior cladding, to ensure the new paint surface is durable and long-lasting.

Sources

Painting Old Exterior Walls

Building Permit

Facade Work

Color Selection Guide for Wood Facades

Facade Changes

How Often Should I Paint the Exterior of My House?