TL;DR
James Hardie Building Products has named Midnight Black its 2027 Color of the Year, reflecting the company’s view that black is increasingly being used across home exteriors rather than only for accents. The shade is available with the company’s ColorPlus Technology finish; pricing, product availability dates and the selection process were not provided in the announcement.
James Hardie Building Products has named Midnight Black its 2027 Color of the Year, highlighting a shift the company says is taking black from trim and architectural accents to a more prominent role across home exteriors. The shade is offered with the manufacturer’s ColorPlus Technology finish, making the announcement relevant to homeowners and design professionals considering exterior siding colors and materials.
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The company describes Midnight Black as a color suited to both a full exterior and more selective applications. Samara “Sam” Toole, James Hardie’s chief marketing officer, said black has become a more intentional choice for entire home exteriors. She described the selected shade as versatile and said it is intended to make a statement while allowing a home’s architecture and other materials to remain visible.
Midnight Black is available with James Hardie’s proprietary ColorPlus Technology. According to the company, the finish is engineered for color consistency, adhesion and durability, and is designed to resist peeling, chipping and cracking. James Hardie also says the finish is intended to withstand weather conditions including extreme heat, humidity, snow, hail and freezing temperatures. Those are manufacturer statements about product performance; the announcement does not provide independent test results, warranty terms or comparisons with other finishes.
The company also points to pairing the dark exterior color with other products. One example it offers is TimberTech decking in English Walnut, which it says can add warmth and dimension alongside Midnight Black. The example reflects a coordinated exterior-design approach, rather than a requirement to use both products.
Black Moves Beyond Exterior Accents
The designation gives homeowners and professionals a clear signal about the color direction James Hardie is choosing to promote for 2027. Black has traditionally been used on elements such as trim, windows and architectural details; the company’s announcement positions it as an option for a larger share of the exterior. For people planning new construction or a renovation, the choice may affect how siding, rooflines, windows, landscaping and decking work together.
The practical considerations are different from the design claim. A dark exterior can create a strong visual contrast with lighter materials, while the final appearance will depend on the home’s architecture, light, surrounding setting and the exact products selected. James Hardie has not offered data showing how many homeowners are choosing black or quantified a change in demand. The announcement is a company color selection, not an industry-wide forecast.
For retailers and contractors, the shade may prompt conversations about coordinated materials and finish performance. James Hardie’s emphasis on ColorPlus Technology addresses concerns about maintaining color and surface condition, but buyers will need product-specific information about installation, care, warranties and local suitability before making a decision.
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The Company’s Color Selection
James Hardie is a building-products company whose exterior products include siding. Its November 2026 announcement names a color for the 2027 Color of the Year designation. The source report says black was once primarily reserved for trim, windows and architectural accents, while the company sees homeowners as more willing to use bolder, more personal exterior designs.
The selection is presented as part of a broader exterior palette, not as a standalone siding specification. James Hardie identifies Midnight Black siding and TimberTech decking in English Walnut as one possible pairing. The announcement does not describe a consumer survey, panel, sales analysis or other method behind the selection, so it is best understood as the company’s design choice and perspective on the market.
“Black has moved beyond the accent and become an increasingly intentional choice for the entire home exterior.”
— Samara (Sam) Toole, chief marketing officer at James Hardie
Pricing and Product Details Await
The announcement does not state pricing, ordering information or a retail availability date for Midnight Black products. It also does not specify which siding profiles or product lines will offer the color, whether availability will vary by market, or whether the designation applies beyond the products discussed.
Details about the selection process are also absent: James Hardie did not identify research, customer polling or a panel that informed the choice. Its descriptions of durability and resistance to weather are company claims, and the report provides no test data, warranty language or independent assessment. Buyers should consult current product documentation and local suppliers for those specifics.
Availability and Specifications to Follow
Homeowners and design professionals interested in the shade will need to check with James Hardie or local retailers for product availability, specifications and pricing. Before choosing an exterior finish, they can also confirm which profiles offer the color and review installation guidance, care requirements and applicable warranty terms.
No further launch schedule, event or next announcement was included in the report. The immediate development is the 2027 color designation; additional details about where and when customers can buy Midnight Black products remain to be confirmed.
Key Questions
What is James Hardie’s 2027 Color of the Year?
Midnight Black is the color James Hardie Building Products named for 2027. The company describes it as a shade intended for whole-home exteriors as well as accents.
What finish is available with Midnight Black?
James Hardie says Midnight Black is available with its proprietary ColorPlus Technology finish. The company describes that finish as engineered for color consistency, adhesion and durability.
When will Midnight Black products be available, and what will they cost?
The announcement does not provide a retail availability date or pricing. Customers will need to contact James Hardie or a local supplier for current product and ordering information.
What materials does James Hardie suggest pairing with Midnight Black?
The company gives TimberTech decking in English Walnut as one example of a complementary pairing. It is presented as a design option, not a required combination.
Source: hardwareretailing.com
