New colors in roofing follow the same trend. "In the '70s we saw earth tones-tans and browns-in roofing, but in the last few years gray has become a hot color," says Jim Worden, manager for resident roofing products at Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. Although homeowners' main concern in selecting roofing is durability, Worden says people are also now taking esthetics into account. "They realize that, along with siding and windows, roofing is a major visual part of the house," he says.

Hardware Wholesalers Inc. private-label paint has introduced several new colors in its Exterior Coordinates that follow the trend toward more muted shades. One combination includes Fog, which is a taupe-gray tone, Olive Gray and Buckeye, which is a reddish rust. Another suggests using Dusk, which is a soft, warm gray, with Desert Dusk, which is a deeper version of it, combined with Bimini Blue, which is a teal, for accent. Suggested retail price: $13.99-$27.99 per gallon depending on quality. HWI, Consumer Division, P.O. Box 6709, Cleveland, Ohio 44101.

Although siding may be more difficult for do-it-yourselfers to handle than a paint brush, Sam Sheffsky, national marketing manager of vinyl products at Gold Bond Building Products, says that between 10 and 12 percent of siding is being installed by the handy homeowner and the numbers continue to grow. Gold Bond recently introduced Freedom Vinyl Siding, which has the look of brush-stroke painted wood and is available in blue, gray, tan, white and sandpiper. Because the color permeates the vinyl, scratches do not show, and the siding can be cleaned with water and a hose. Suggested retail price: from $50 to $70 per 100 square feet depending on style. Gold Bond Building Products, 2001 Rexford Rd., Charlotte, N.C. 28211 (no phone inquiries).