A Guide to Choosing The Right Home Exterior

May 13, 2025

Your home exterior is more than just a protective shell — it’s a major part of your home’s personality and curb appeal. Choosing the right materials and design features for your home’s style isn’t always easy, especially when you want it to look beautiful and stand up to Utah’s unique weather conditions.

At High Country Construction, we specialize in helping homeowners across Wasatch County, Park City, Heber, and beyond find the perfect blend of style and strength. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right exterior materials and finishes based on your home’s architectural style — and how smart exterior choices can add value, reduce maintenance, and enhance protection.

Why Exterior Style Matters

The right exterior:

  • Enhances curb appeal and resale value
  • Reflects your personal style
  • Improves energy efficiency and weather resistance
  • Requires less maintenance over time when done properly

Whether you’re building new or remodeling, aligning your exterior with your home’s architecture ensures a timeless, cohesive look.

Common Home Styles in Utah

1. Modern & Contemporary Homes

Sleek, clean lines and minimalist designs define modern architecture.

Best exterior options:

  • Fiber-cement panels or smooth horizontal lap siding
  • Metal siding or steel accents
  • Stucco in neutral or bold contrast tones

Pro tip: Use cool tones like charcoal, black, or white for modern flair. Mix materials like fiber cement with wood slats or stone for texture and contrast.

Popular in: Draper, St. George, newer developments in Park City

2. Mountain & Lodge-Style Homes

Common in areas like Heber, Midway, and Park City, mountain-style homes embrace natural materials and earthy tones.

Best exterior options:

  • Wood siding or log-style siding
  • Stone veneer for columns and bases
  • Metal roofing or accent trim

Pro tip: Choose siding that mimics natural textures but is low-maintenance — like engineered wood or fiber cement with a wood-grain finish.

3. Farmhouse & Craftsman Homes

These classic homes are rooted in tradition and character. You’ll find lots of these in Mapleton, Alpine, and Highland.

Best exterior options:

  • Board and batten siding
  • Horizontal lap siding with shaker shingles in gables
  • Natural stone or brick wainscoting

Pro tip: White, sage, and navy tones with contrasting black or wood trim are trending farmhouse colors right now.

4. Tudor & European Styles

Tudor homes feature dramatic roofs, decorative trims, and charming asymmetry — ideal for a high-end look.

Best exterior options:

  • Stucco with wood trim
  • Brick and stone combinations
  • Decorative half-timbering

Pro tip: Use darker, earthy tones like brown, gray, and burgundy to enhance the European look while blending beautifully with Utah’s landscape.

5. Southwestern & Desert Homes

More common in Southern Utah like St. George, these homes need materials that reflect heat and stand up to sun exposure.

Best exterior options:

  • Stucco in warm, sandy tones
  • Clay tile or metal roofing
  • Minimal wood (due to heat and sun damage)

Pro tip: Choose light, reflective colors and materials that resist UV damage and won’t crack under intense heat.

How to Coordinate Exterior Elements

Choosing siding is just the beginning. For a polished, high-end look, coordinate all the exterior elements:

Roofing

Make sure your roofing color complements your siding and trim. In snowy regions like Wasatch County, metal roofs can help with snow runoff and look great with mountain-modern designs.

Trim & Soffit

Trim in contrasting or complementary tones helps define your home’s features. Go bold with dark trim on light siding, or soften the look with wood-toned fascia and soffits.

Doors & Windows

Your front door is a focal point — use a pop of color or high-end material to make a statement. Dark-framed windows are trending and pair beautifully with nearly any exterior style.

Garage Doors

Don’t forget about garage doors! Custom wood-look doors, modern panels, or carriage-style doors can elevate your whole exterior.

Best Materials for Utah’s Climate

Utah’s climate is no joke — hot, dry summers in St. George, heavy snowfall in Heber, and high winds in Park City mean you need materials built to last.

Fiber Cement Siding

  • Fire-resistant, insect-resistant, and moisture-resistant
  • Withstands snow, heat, and wind
  • Mimics wood with much less maintenance

Vinyl Siding

  • Affordable and low-maintenance
  • Comes in a wide variety of colors and textures
  • Great for moderate climates like Alpine or Draper

Stone & Brick Veneer

  • Adds high-end character and durability
  • Ideal for cold climates and storm-prone areas
  • Looks great on Tudor, Craftsman, and mountain-style homes

Stucco

  • Excellent insulator for desert climates
  • Best used in dry regions with minimal freeze-thaw cycles
  • Popular in St. George and southern Utah

Color Trends for 2025

Staying on-trend can add curb appeal and boost resale value. Here are the current top home exterior color trends in Utah:

  • Earth tones (browns, warm grays, olive green)
  • Moody darks (charcoal, navy, black)
  • Soft neutrals (creams, sage, off-whites)
  • Contrasting trim (black or natural wood tones)

Local neighborhoods in Heber Valley and Park City are seeing more high-contrast, modern exteriors, while Mapleton and Highland still favor timeless white farmhouses with wood accents.

Working With a Local Expert Makes All the Difference

Choosing the right home exterior isn't just about looks—it's about longevity, weather performance, and value. At High Country Construction, we bring years of experience helping homeowners across Wasatch County, Park City, Alpine, and beyond make smart, beautiful exterior choices.

Whether you’re upgrading your siding, adding stone veneer, or doing a full exterior remodel, we’ll help you select the right materials and design elements that suit your home and Utah’s diverse climate.

Ready to Transform Your Home’s Exterior?

Contact High Country Construction today for a free consultation. Our team of skilled professionals is ready to bring your vision to life — with top-quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and honest service.

Office Hours: By appointement
1124 N 1300 W
Orem, Utah 84057
(801) 319-3205‬
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