Painting a historic home in Woodstock IL

Ever watch old TV shows like Twilight Zone? (if not google it) Picture this: You’re standing in front of your home, a Older Historic Victorian home, coffee in hand, admiring its intricate details and charming character. But as your eyes wander, you can’t help but notice the peeling paint, faded colors, and areas that have seen better days. Suddenly, your peaceful morning turns into a whirlwind of questions and concerns about Painting your Historic Home in Woodstock.

“How on earth do I tackle this paint job?” “Will it cost me an arm and a leg?” “What if I mess up and ruin the historical integrity of my home?”

Take a deep breath, fellow homeowner! We have been in your shoes (well, not literally – we don’t make a habit of standing in other people’s front yards). With 20 years of experience under our belts and thousands of satisfied customers, we’ve heard every question (I say that now, tomorrow I will get a new one), concern, and the occasional crisis when it comes to painting historic homes.

Today we’re going to address the top questions that keep you up at night (besides that stupid squirrel that does laps on the roof jumping from tree to tree). We want to make sure you have a good understanding of:

1. The best paint for your historic home (spoiler: it’s not the cheapest option at the hardware store)
2. The steps to repaint an older Victorian home (without accidentally turning it into a modern art piece)
3. The cost of painting a historic home (don’t worry, you won’t need to sell your firstborn)
4. The challenges and solutions for painting a Victorian home (because let’s face it, those gingerbread trims aren’t going to paint themselves)
5. How long it takes to paint a historic home (hint: longer than your average TikTok video)

So, grab another cup of coffee (or tea, we don’t judge), settle into your favorite antique chair, and let’s demystify the world of historic home painting together.

What is the Best Paint for Historic Homes?

Ah, the million-dollar question (don’t worry, the paint won’t actually cost that much).Sherwin vs Benjamin Moore vs Behr- but that is s different day and article yet to be written. When it comes to historic homes, not all paints are created equal. You wouldn’t put cheap gas in a classic car, would you? The same principle applies here.

For exterior painting of historic homes, we recommend high-quality, breathable paints. These allow moisture to escape, which is crucial for older homes that weren’t built with modern moisture barriers. Look for paints specifically formulated for historic properties, such as:

• Lime-based paints: These are especially good for homes built before 1900. They’re highly breathable and have a lovely, soft finish that complements historic architecture.
• Acrylic paints: Modern acrylic paints designed for historic homes offer good breathability and durability. Brands like Benjamin Moore’s Aura Exterior or Sherwin-Williams’ Duration Exterior are excellent choices.

The best paint for your home may depend on factors like the original paint type, (sometimes the color) climate, and local preservation guidelines. When in doubt, consult with a professional paint contractor or your local historic preservation society.

Pro tip: Always do a test patch before committing to a paint. It’s like dating – you want to make sure you’re compatible before making a long-term commitment. It took us 7 tries of painting parts of our house before we got it right!

For more information on historic paint colors and types, here is a interesting read- the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief on historic exterior paint colors: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/10-paint-problems.htm

What are the steps to repaint an Older Victorian or Historic Home?

Painting a Victorian home is more complex than assembling IKEA furniture with the wrong size allen wrenches! (and let’s be honest, that’s already pretty challenging).

Step 1: Research and Planning Before you even think about picking up a paintbrush, do your homework. Research the original color scheme of your home, check local historic preservation guidelines, and maybe even consult with a historic color consultant. Yes, that’s a real job – and no, it’s not just someone who wears Victorian clothing and points at color swatches.

Step 2: Prep, Prep, and More Prep This is where the real work begins. You’ll need to:

• Clean the exterior thoroughly (a pressure washer can be your best friend here)
• Scrape off loose paint
• Sand rough areas
• Repair any damaged wood or siding
• Caulk gaps and cracks
• Prime bare wood and repaired areas
• and if you have lead- watch this….

Remember, prep work is like laying a good foundation – skip it, and your paint job might end up looking like it was done by a bunch of sugar-high toddlers.

Step 3: Priming Apply a high-quality exterior primer. This helps the paint adhere better and last longer. Think of it as the Spanx of the painting world – it provides a smooth foundation for everything else. Not all primer is equal either. Know if you need just a base primer, lead blocking, peel blocking, stain blocking, adhesion promoting or tinted primer!

Step 4: Painting Now for the fun part! Start with the trim, then move on to the siding. Use brushes for detailed areas and rollers or sprayers for larger surfaces. Always work from top to bottom to catch any drips.

Step 5: Details and Touch-ups This is where your Victorian home’s personality really shines. Take your time with intricate details like gingerbread trim, corbels, and decorative elements. It’s like putting makeup on your house – a little extra attention here can make all the difference.

For a more detailed guide on DIY exterior painting, check out This Old House’s comprehensive tutorial: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21015205/how-to-paint-the-exterior-of-a-house

Cost to paint a Historic Home

Ah, are you going to quiver in fear? Let’s rip off the band-aid: painting a historic home isn’t cheap. But before you start considering a career in bank robbery, let’s break it down.

The cost can vary wildly depending on factors like:

• Size of your home
• Amount of prep work needed
• Quality of paint used
• Complexity of your home’s architecture
• Your location

On average, you’re looking at anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more for a professional paint job on a historic home. Yes, we know that’s a wide range. It’s like asking “How long is a piece of string?” – it depends!

Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Labor: 50-60% of the total cost
• Paint and materials: 20-30%
• Prep work: 15-20%

Remember, painting a historic home is an investment. It’s not just about slapping on a new color – it’s about protecting your home and preserving its character. Think of it as buying your house a really expensive, really protective coat.

If you’re considering DIY to save money, be careful. While it can be cheaper upfront, mistakes can be costly to fix. Plus, there’s the value of your time to consider. Do you really want to spend your weekends on a ladder instead of enjoying your beautiful historic home?

Challenges and Solutions for Painting a Victorian Home

Painting a Victorian home is like trying to wrangle a octopus into a sweater – there are a lot of intricate parts to deal with. Here are some common challenges and their solutions:

Challenge 1: Intricate Details Victorian homes are known for their ornate trim, gingerbread details, and decorative elements. These can be a pain to paint.

Solution: Patience and the right tools. Use small brushes for detailed work, and consider using paint sprayers for larger areas. Masking tape is your friend – use it liberally to protect areas you’re not currently painting.

Challenge 2: Lead Paint Many historic homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint.

Solution: Get your home tested for lead paint before starting any work. If lead is present, hire a certified lead abatement contractor. This isn’t a DIY job – lead is serious business.

Challenge 3: Multiple Layers of Old Paint Victorian homes often have layer upon layer of old paint, which can cause adhesion problems for new paint.

Solution: Proper prep work is crucial. Scrape off loose paint, sand rough areas, and use a good primer. In some cases, you might need to strip the old paint entirely.

Challenge 4: Wood Rot Old homes often have areas of wood rot, especially in damp climates.

Solution: Replace rotted wood before painting. It’s like trying to put makeup on a zombie – no amount of paint will fix underlying decay.

Challenge 5: Historical Accuracy Maintaining historical accuracy can be challenging, especially if you’re in a designated historic district.

Solution: Research your home’s original color scheme and consult with local historic preservation societies. They can be a wealth of information and might even have old photos of your home.

For more information on common painting challenges and solutions, check out the Paint Quality Institute’s guide: https://www.paintquality.com/en/tools/problem-solver

How long does it take to paint a historic home?

If you’re hoping for a weekend project, we’ve got some bad news for you. Painting a historic home is more marathon than sprint.

On average, professionally painting the exterior of a historic home can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Yes, weeks. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your Victorian home won’t be painted in one either.

Here’s a rough timeline:

• Prep work: 3-5 days (or more, depending on the condition of your home)
• Priming: 1-2 days
• Painting: 5-7 days
• Detail work and touch-ups: 2-3 days

Keep in mind that this timeline can be affected by factors like:

• Weather (paint and rain don’t mix well)
• The size and complexity of your home
• The amount of repair work needed
• The number of colors being used

If you’re DIYing it, add at least 50% more time to that estimate. Unless you’re secretly a painting superhero, it’s going to take longer than you think.

Remember, painting a historic home is not a race. It’s better to take your time and do it right than to rush and end up with a subpar result. Your home has stood for a hundred years or more – it can wait a few extra days for a quality paint job.

Historic house Paint Recap…

Congratulations! You’ve made it through our crash course on painting historic homes. By now, you should feel more informed and slightly less panicked about the prospect of painting your Victorian beauty.

Here is what we’ve learned:

1. Use high-quality, breathable paints specifically designed for historic homes.
2. Proper preparation is key to a successful paint job.
3. It’s going to cost more than painting a modern home, but it’s worth the investment.
4. There are challenges, but with the right approach (and maybe a bit of professional help), they’re not insurmountable.
5. It’s going to take time – probably more than you initially thought.

Remember, painting a historic home is more than just a home improvement project – it’s an act of preservation. You’re not just making your house look pretty; you’re protecting a piece of history for future generations.

At Dfranco Painting and Wallpaper, we’ve seen our fair share of historic homes, from charming Victorians to stately Colonials. We understand the unique challenges and joys that come with these beautiful old houses. Whether you decide to tackle the painting yourself or call in the professionals, we hope this guide has given you the confidence to move forward with your project.

And hey, if you find yourself halfway up a ladder, covered in paint, wondering why on earth you thought this was a good idea – just remember, at least you’re not trying to wallpaper a ceiling. Now that’s a real nightmare!

Happy painting, and may your historic home stand proud for another century to come!