BEIGE – the calm of sandstone, in fiber cement

Some colours do not try to stand out – yet they are the ones that make a building feel truly like home. Beige is one of them: a cloudy pattern reminiscent of natural stone and a warm base tone. It has the calm of sandstone, in fiber cement. In this article we show why it works so well, what to pair it with, and what to consider if you are thinking about a Beige facade.

The look of stone, without the hassle of stone

Sandstone has been one of architecture's best-loved materials for centuries: warm, calm and at home in almost any setting. Beige brings the same atmosphere to a modern, large-format board. Thanks to the cloudy, marbled pattern no two boards are exactly alike, so the facade looks lively and natural rather than mechanically uniform.

At the same time the board is through-coloured, so there is nothing to paint or touch up later. If the surface is scratched or an edge is chipped, the same warm tone shows underneath – there is no paint layer to flake off.

At home on classic and modern buildings

One of Beige's greatest strengths is its versatility. It is at home on classic and modern buildings alike:

• On a traditionally shaped family home, the warm, stone-like surface gives a calm, timeless look.
• On a clean-lined modern building, the large flat boards and the restrained colour create an elegant, contemporary character.
• In renovation it is a good choice when the facade should not clash with the surrounding buildings, yet still look fresher and tidier.
• Balconies, loggias and soffits: made from the same board, these details stay consistent with the facade, so the building looks tidy and coherent from every side.

Because Beige is neutral, you need not worry that it will look dated in a few years: warm, stone-like tones have been a safe choice for facades for decades.

What to pair it with

Beige complements wooden details, anthracite windows and doors, and the green of the garden. A few tips for the overall effect:

• Wooden details: the warm tone of wood and Beige's warm base colour reinforce each other – a wooden front door, terrace or pergola forms a natural unity with the facade.
• Anthracite windows and doors: dark frames give a crisp, defined contrast with the light, warm surface and emphasise the rhythm of the windows.
• The green of the garden: plants look more vivid next to Beige, and the facade provides a calm backdrop for the garden.
• Avoid too many different materials: Beige looks its best with no more than one or two companion materials.

What to consider when choosing the colour

With warm, neutral colours it is especially important to see the sample in its real setting. Look at it outdoors in daylight, in the morning and in the afternoon, because indoor lighting and screens both distort colours. Allow for the area effect too: on a whole facade the colour usually looks lighter than on a palm-sized sample.

Light colours heat up less in the sun, which can be an advantage on south- and west-facing facades. For one building, order the boards in one go, from one production batch where possible, for the most even shade.

The board in brief

• Through-coloured, high-density fiber cement board, in 10 colours
• Board sizes: 2440 × 1220 and 3050 × 1220 mm; thickness: 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 mm
• Fire safety: class A1, non-combustible (EN 13501-1); frost-resistant, 100% asbestos-free

Which colour would you choose for your own facade? Let us know at info@tomzol.com or call: +36 30 959 6537