How can I make my god-awful asbestos siding look ok?

Black shutters with white or tan always look classic, but if you're having issues with mildew or algae growth on the siding, it would be wise to select a darker color that would better hide the algae (burgundy, darker shades of blue, etc.)

Many people with algae have needed to clean it 2-3x/year, or apply Wet n'Forget, which will work, albeit very slowly.

I don't think your house looks bad at all. But if you want a change fresh paint in the color of your choice would look great! Maybe replace the present shutters with a newer, wider style. A tan/khaki color house would match any color shutter you desire.

The colors are up to you. I'm quite sure any good quality paint will work well.

Beware: asbestos is toxic. Do NOT attempt to remove it yourself.

I love the combination of a dark navy with white trim. This would also make the siding less obvious. This house is painted Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/181832903689306968/

I don’t have any suggestions, but just wanted to comment that your “godawful asbestos siding” title made me giggle. Nothing like a little honesty... thanks for making me smile so early in the morning!

For starters it is scement and asbestos, so is not flakey as estos, but even so do not remove it. It paints easily and looks great when painted. We did our last house with same siding a darker sage with dark green shutters and red door and evyone loved t. People would ring the bell and ask for names of the colors. Wish we had that siding here, lasts ages, is semi fireproof and keeps your house better insulated than vinyl. Hire someone to do the higher bits and use a cutting in brush and a roller to do the rest yourself. I painted my. Own when I was 69 years old, female, dh painted the high parts. Go for it, will look terrific.

I love the dark blue with white shutter idea...your house would stand out from others and be beautiful

Debbie,

I think you you have a cute cottage going. I have the same siding. When painted a dark brown or seaside gray it looks more like shakes which is great. It will automatically give your house presence as it is almost the same color as the house next door and blends in with it. I love the front door porch but if you made it wider and extended it out you could build in seats on either side. Also paint the front door to give it some pop. Something bright and snazzy. I would also put something of interest between the two front windows. There are so many great metal pieces you can add to the wall now and hang it high to have the eye go up. Or plant a great clematis or some climber to fill that space a little. I would also lose the shutters. They are narrow and don’t add to the windows much. I would suggest 1x4s on the sides and crown the tops with 1x6’s with angled ends. I think it is an amazing thing that you can ask strangers for input. You are welcome to take mine or leave it. I had fun Thank you.

Why not go with a lite to medium gray. Then you can save money on paint for shutter cause the are already black 🤗

Tan with black shutters is the classiest. ( I am a green fan so what you have really doesn't bother me in the least)

Pressure wash it! You will be amazed!

I wasn't born with the decorating gene. When my house needed painting, I went to the home improvement store and looked at the exterior paint brochures to see their color schemes. Gray walls, white trim, and red door jumped out at me so that's what we did. We got many complements from our neighbors. Whatever you choose should make you happy.