Combining aesthetics and performance

By Emma Peterson. 

Check out five exterior colors that not only offer superior performance but are trending in 2026. 

While the color of a structure may at first seem like a personal preference, it actually has a much larger role than that. As Nina Lichtenstein, founder of Custom Home Design by Nina Lichtenstein, points out in an article of Architectural Digest, “A coat of paint can completely refresh the look of a property, creating a polished first impression and potentially increasing its value” 

So, how can you help your clients access exterior colors that not only create the aesthetic they want, but save them money through low-maintenance building protection ? Consider working with high-performance finishes  like those from Dryvit. These colorful facade options come with a 10-year fade-resistant warranty thanks to the unique StratoTone™ colorant technology. Further, their team  is constantly watching the market and making sure that Dryvit offerings are at the forefront of color trends.  

For example, here are five colors that Dryvit provides that are trending as we move into the new year:  

• Earthy Red: Both Glidden (Warm Mahogany) and Clark+Kensington (Hazelnut Crunch) chose a version of this cozy red-brown, a unique neutral that keeps spaces feeling grounded and warm. Dryvit offers similar colors  with Winter Brown, Red Clay and Irish Coffee.  
• Vibrant Teal: As we move into 2026, multiple designers from WGSN and Coloro to Behr have chosen a bold blend of blue and green for their color of the year (Transformative Teal and Hidden Gem respectively). If you want a similar statement color, Dryvit finishes of Mysterious Forest, Bermuda Blue and Forest Green are great options. 
• Warm Beige: Sometimes a versatile classic is best, and that’s what Sherwin-Williams and Dutch Boy tapped into with their color of the year choices of Universal Khaki and Melodious Ivory respectively. If you want to bring this trend to the outside of a home, Canvas, Clover and Sand from Dryvit are a close match.
• Comfortable Charcoal: For buildings that need a bit of a dramatic flair, warm black tones are a popular and timeless route. In fact, Benjamin Moore chose one for their color of the year (Silhouette). Other great options in this color family include Dryvit’s Cozy Black, Dark Chocolate and Swiss Mocha. 
• Muted Green: Fitting in well with the nature-inspired colors on this list, muted green has seen a rise in popularity. Big name brands are highlighting their olive greens (such as Valspar’s Warm Eucalyptus and Dunn-Edwards' Midnight Garden). To bring this trend to the outside of a building, consider Deep Moss, Kiwi Green and Arbor Green from Dryvit. 

Learn more about these trendsetting, high-performance colors!