Exterior Painting Guidelines
These guidelines are established to maintain the architectural integrity of our modern Craftsman homes while embracing the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All color recommendations and palettes are designed to complement the widely popular CertainTeed Presidential TL shingle roof colors.
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Contact us at acc@rivercrossinghoa.org with any questions.
Common Craftsman Architectural Terms
Here are names of the architectural elements that makeup the designs of our modern craftsman homes:
Knee Braces (or Gable Brackets): These are the triangular wooden supports tucked under the deep roof overhangs in the gables. While they look structural, on modern homes they are usually decorative.
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Rafter Tails: The exposed ends of the roof framing that peek out from under the eaves along the sides of the house.
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Outlookers (or Purlins): The heavy, horizontal beams that extend out from the wall to support the roof overhang on the gable ends.
Belly Bands: The horizontal trim boards that separate different siding materials (like where lap siding on the first floor meets shake siding in the upper gable).
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Battered Columns: The classic Craftsman porch columns that are wider at the bottom and taper as they go up, usually sitting on a heavy stone or brick pier.
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Fascia: The long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof, where the gutters are typically attached.
The Three Zone Rule
Plan the exterior in three distinct zones
When planning your exterior paint, simplify your home into three distinct zones. Your color choices should follow this proportional breakdown.
Zone 1: Body
60%–70%
Our exterior painting services follow a 70/20/10 rule: 70% of the home’s color is the main hue, 20% is for accents, and 10% for trim. This creates a balanced and appealing look.
Zone 2: Trim
20%–30%
We ensure that all painting projects meet high standards. Our team conducts thorough inspections and uses premium materials to guarantee durability and beauty in every home.
Zone 3: Accent
5%–10%
We believe in fostering a sense of community through our services. By maintaining a cohesive look, we enhance property values and create a welcoming environment for all residents.
Architectural Details & Trim
Modern Craftsman homes are defined by their unique roofline details. These elements should generally be painted as Zone 2 (Trim) to highlight the architecture.
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The Traditional Look: Paint your knee braces, outlookers, and rafter tails the same color as your window trim and fascia for a cohesive, framed look.
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The Modern Look: If you are using a high-contrast palette (like white with black trim), painting these elements dark will draw the eye upward and emphasize the roofline.
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Natural Wood: If your home features stained wood knee braces or porch columns, they may be left natural to blend with the Pacific Northwest surroundings.
Important Masonry Rule
Brick:
If your home features the original yellowish brick, it may be painted to match the Zone 1 (Body) color to help modernize the exterior.
Natural Stone:
Should remain unpainted to preserve the organic, Pacific Northwest aesthetic.
Why This Approach Is Important
Visual Weight​
Craftsman gable details (like knee braces) are visually heavy. Painting them an “accent” color (like red or blue) draws too much attention away from the rest of the house.
The Frame
Painting them as Trim allows them to act as a frame for the siding, which is exactly how traditional Craftsman homes were designed.
Simplicity
It keeps the Accent zone strictly for the “jewelry” of the house—usually just the front door and maybe the shutters.
The Modern Contrast Exception
If you are choosing a modern high-contrast palette (such as a white or light gray body with black gutters and fascia):
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The Roofline: Dark fascia and gutters are allowed as they visually tie into dark CertainTeed Presidential TL roofs.
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Window & Door Trim: You may either match the dark fascia for a bold, framed look, or paint the window trim to match your Zone 1 (Body) color to keep the home from looking too busy.
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The 30% Rule: Ensure that the total amount of dark trim does not overwhelm the home. If your gutters and fascia are black, we recommend matching your garage doors using the same color as the body of the house to maintain balance.
Key Considerations for Your Exterior
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Testing Colors: Always paint a test patch (2'×2') on both the sunny and shady sides of your home. The famous PNW “green reflection” from our surrounding trees can drastically change how a color looks once applied.
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The “Modern Farmhouse” & High-Contrast Trend: If you are drawn to the popular dark-on-light aesthetic, opt for warm, creamy whites rather than stark, cool whites. Stark whites can appear blinding on sunny days and cold during our overcast Pacific Northwest winters.
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The Roof Factor: Our CertainTeed Presidential TL shingles are dark and highly textured. Ensure your main body color has enough contrast so tahe home doesn't feel “top-heavy,” and use your trim color as a visual bridge between the two.
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Material Transitions: Craftsman homes often feature a mix of materials, like lap siding on the bottom and shake siding in the gables. Using a slightly lighter or darker shade of your main body color on the shakes can add subtle depth without overwhelming the eye.
Painting Guideline Diagram
The following diagram is an illustration of the recommended painting approach for our Modern Craftsman homes.
The River Crossing Lookbook
10 Core Palettes
The following palettes are standardized using Sherwin-Williams colors. They are categorized into Modern Contrast (including our approved white/black schemes), PNW Naturals, and Classic Craftsman.
Modern Contrast
The Modern Minimalist (Farmhouse)
High Contrast Gray
PNW Naturals
Evergreen Fog
Classic Craftsman
Warm Greige
The Traditionalist
Earth & Clay
Next Steps
Getting Your Project Approved
Once you have selected your colors from the lookbook, follow these steps to get your project approved by the River Crossing Architectural Control Committee (RCACC):
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Review the Standards: Ensure your project aligns with our community guidelines. You can review the full architectural standards on our website.
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Notify Your Neighbors: Let your immediate neighbors know about your project, using the notification form. While you do not need their formal approval, they must be made aware of the upcoming work.
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Submit Your Application: Complete the online ACC Project Form at least 21 days before you plan to start work. Be sure to include your chosen Sherwin-Williams color codes and which zones they will be applied to.
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Wait for Approval: Do not purchase your paint or begin work until you have received official approval from the RCACC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the difference between Alabaster, Pure White, and Extra White?
A: While they look similar on a small paint chip, they serve very different purposes on a house:
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Alabaster: A warm, creamy white that is best for the main body of the house because it won't look stark in the winter.
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Pure White: A balanced, neutral white that works well anywhere and looks great next to natural stone.
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Extra White: A crisp, bright white that we only recommend for trim to create sharp, clean architectural lines.
Q: Why can't I just pick any white paint for my siding?
A: Not all whites are created equal. Stark, bright whites can look blinding on sunny days and cold during our gray Pacific Northwest winters. We recommend warm, creamy whites (like Alabaster) because they look soft and inviting all year round.
Q: Can I paint my brick or stone?
A: It depends on the material. If your home has the original yellowish brick, you can paint it to match your main body color. However, natural stone should remain unpainted to preserve the organic, Pacific Northwest look of our neighborhood.
Q: What color should I paint my garage door?
A: Your garage door should generally be painted the same color as your Zone 1 (Body). This helps it blend into the home rather than drawing attention away from your front entry.
Q: Why do I need to test the paint if I already like the swatch?
A: The famous PNW "green reflection" from our surrounding evergreen trees can drastically change how a color looks once it is on your house. Always paint a large 2'x2' test patch on both the sunny and shady sides of your home before committing.
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Q: What is the "PNW Green Reflection," and how does it impact my paint color choice?
The "PNW Green Reflection" occurs when natural daylight bounces off our dense evergreen tree canopies, mossy surroundings, and lush lawns, casting a cool green undertone onto exterior siding and trim. To prevent your house from color-shifting under overcast skies—where cool whites and pure grays can accidentally look pale mint-green—our HOA palette uses warm, grounded paint bases like SW 7566 Westhighland White that naturally absorb and neutralize these green reflections.