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Human Rights  » Exterior Paint Schemes For Historical Houses

Exterior Paint Schemes For Historical Houses

Owners of historical homes know that choosing paint colors is a

nerve-wracking and critically important decision. Ready-mix

paints have been available since the middle part of the

nineteenth century and from that time home owners have had to

choose their colors without really knowing how their finished

home will look. After all, a two inch paint chip looks very

different from a 3,000 square foot house!

In a visit to New England in the 1840s, famed novelist Charles

Dickens commented, "All the buildings looked as if they had been

painted that morning ... Every house is the whitest of white;

every shutter is the greenest of green."

If you have an older home and want to choose colors other than

green and white, here are some guidelines"

1. Light colors "advance" a home while dark colors cause it to

"recede". This means that lighter shades will make your home

appear larger and closer to the street, while darker shades make

your home seem smaller and further away. If you want your house

to blend in and be less noticeable, therefore, a darker hue is

best.

2. Light dramatically affects how colors appear to the human

eye. In cooler climates the light is diffused and bold colors

are intensified. In southern climates, the harsher, brighter

sunlight will cause pale tints to appear washed out.

3. If you want your gutters and downspouts to be less

noticeable, paint them the same color as the house.

4. Make sure any mildew problems are solved before painting.

Test suspicious spots with household bleach and if they change

color, you definitely have a mildew problem.

5. Moisture problems must be eliminated before painting. If they

are not, water will ruin even the best paint job.

6. Some paint manufacturers offer color 'families' to simplify

choosing. That is, there are several colors that go well

together and eliminate the agony of figuring out the exact right

shade for the trim so that it will relate well to the primary

exterior color.

7. It's always possible to get expert help. This is especially

desirable if you own a historical landmark and wish for it to be

restored to its former appearance. Historical paint consultants

are familiar with shades available at the time the home was

built and can often do research to determine original colors.

These folks understand chemical changes in paint and can usually

figure out what the original colors looked like before they

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faded to today's milder colors.

8. There is software available that allows home owners to scan

in a picture of their home and then try out different colors

without making an actual commitment. It's powerful to see your

home in Colonial Barn Red or Patriot Federal Blue before

actually putting a drop of color on the outside.

9. You might consider staining your historical property, rather

than painting it. Stain is cheaper and it won't peel off or

crack the way paint does. This is because it actually sinks into

the wood, rather than coating it so it will instead weather and

dim over time. Stain won't cover up any imperfections in the

wood the way paint does, however.

Owning and living in a historically significant home is a

privilege and maintaining that house is a responsibility to take

seriously. Therefore, avoid hasty color choices and take the

time to choose wisely.

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