Gal will go grey (mid to dark grey) over 12 - 18 months. Initially VERY bright. The energy absorbed changes accordingly, from sub 5% absorbed to ~35%. Zinc maintains brightness for longer, though still suffers some dulling. Say 5% to 15% over time. This can be avoided by coating with a product called 'Sharkhide' metal protectant, used to stop aluminium boats oxidising. For there reasons many councils will not allow zinc or gal roofing (visual amenity, reflection issues), while making the houses more prone to requiring summer aircon at the same time. Surfmist Colorbond starts around 9% absorbed. If purely for energy reasons, a light colour might be the only option. If going dark, I would suggest at least doing the 'less aesthetically important' sides and rear in a light colour. Your call. If you go all dark, ensure you have good roof space ventilation for the summer that can be closed in the winter, and lots of well installed ceiling level insulation. Spray foam is more reliable over time than batts, see Spray It Solutions or similar (they have the Formaldahyde free Canadian Icenene foam).

Hi Erin Both look like they will work. I think your challenge will be to bring some depth to the front of the house . With the colour being uniform its quite flat, so I would suggest adding some awnings to the front windows. These could also be a nice feature on the front of the house adding your personality. http://www.icietla.com.au in Brisbane sell some beautiful stripes. The other option was to have a base and top scheme that helped the building look a little lighter. A great transformation which ever way you go.

Leave the brick. If you have to replace the roof then black is a great colour and then have a look at the house and see if the brown wood colour needs to change or the painted walls. Think about what attracted you to the house. Do you want it to sink into the environment like it does now or stand out. White is always fresh but off white is lovely to. The trims could be black but be aware the black will attract the sun and may need painting again sooner than the rest of the house.

If you do light fence and dark posts , what colour will you do the wooden section ? I think that if you did the wood in charcoal , which is the logical colour , it is going to look funny with the posts also dark -- it will look like you have done the whole fence dark , think it is too dark , so have painted the lower panels lighter to try and lighten it . And when you say about changing 'the doors' to match , I hope you mean the garage doors ? I was nearly going to suggest in my earlier reply , but I had made enough suggestions that didn't relate to the fence -- but I love the warmth but also lighter honey tones of the entrance door , and was going to suggest changing the garage doors to a similar warm honey wood . Doing the entrance door darker would be a mistake IMO -- it will darken the spot you want to be light and welcoming ! My 'it wont be cheap' suggestion ( aka money doesn't matter too much ) would be the fence the same as the house , the fence caps and house trim in charcoal ( both being horizontal lines ) , the entrance door as it is BUT change the garage to match , and the fence timber too ! That way , you get the roughness of the house and fence , but toned down and warmed up with the honey toned wooden highlights . Again , you don't have to agree , just an idea .