Preserving the Timeless Beauty of Historic Buildings

One of New England’s richest resources is its historical and traditional architecture. Historic homes and commercial buildings (and those built with a genuinely traditional aesthetic) enhance our neighborhoods and streetscapes with timeless artistry that is often lacking in newer buildings. Historic paint colors and wallcoverings help to keep an antique building true to its heritage. Helping to restore and preserve our region’s precious historic buildings is one of our passions.

How We Help

Exterior Painting and Restoration: Careful surface preparation is a critical part of maintaining the health and appearance of aging surfaces. For antique buildings this includes scraping, sanding, and chemically peeling failing paint, power washing, caulking gaps and cracks, and light carpentry to replace deteriorated wood shingles, clapboards, shutters, and other features. We are experienced in the proper way to prepare and re-paint surfaces coated with lead-based products. However, Arch Painting is not a lead paint removal or abatement company.

Re-Glazing Wood-Framed Windows: We can preserve the functionality, appearance, and efficiency of older windows by re-glazing their panes.

Interior Painting and Restoration: Interior painting for antique buildings often means painting or papering over plaster, which cracks as the building settles and stains due to excessive moisture. Arch Painting can remedy these problems by filling and sanding cracks and applying high-hiding, bacteria resistant primer over discolored areas. We are also skilled in light carpentry renovations

Wallpapering: We have extensive experience removing and installing a variety of wallcoverings, including those made with natural fibers such as silk and cotton.

Wood Refinishing and Restoration: Arch Painting can restore wood panels, moldings, baseboards and trim to their original glory.

Masonry Painting: Coatings for masonry, garages, basements, and pool/recreational areas enhance the habitability and value of your home. Let us show you which products are best suited for your needs.

Preservation Palettes

Premium architectural paint products are best for historic and traditional buildings, and manufacturers of these paints may offer a historically correct color palette for exterior or interior spaces; these are sometimes called “preservation palettes”. Request a manufacturer’s brochure, which will present colors most accurately.

• Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection (exterior and interior)
• Visit www.BenjaminMoore.com for more information

• Pittsburgh Paints Historic Exterior and Interior Color Statements
• Pittsburg Paints “Falling Water” Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Colors (interior and exterior)
• Visit www.PittsburghPaints.com for more information

• Sherwin-Williams 1800’s Classical Colonial for exteriors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1800’s Classical Colonial for interiors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1900’s Arts & Crafts for exteriors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1900’s Arts & Crafts for interiors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1900’s Victorian for exteriors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1900’s Victorian for interiors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1920’s Jazz Age for interiors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1930’s Streamlined Years for interiors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1950’s Classical Colonial for exteriors View Brochure*
• Sherwin-Williams 1950’s Classical Colonial for interiors View Brochure*
• Visit www.SherwinWilliams.com for more information

• *Your monitor’s screen and your printer may not show the precise color as shown on the brochure. Request a manufacturer’s brochure, which will present colors most accurately.

Paint and Paper for Historical Buildings

Aura™, by Benjamin Moore®, is a low VOC architectural paint that uses water-based tints to minimize odor and air pollution even after colorants have been added. For interior use.

MoorGlo®, by Benjamin Moore®, is a semi-gloss acrylic of the highest quality. It offers easy application, superior leveling and hiding characteristics, and exceptional durability and color retention. For exterior use.

Duration Home™, by Sherwin-Williams, is a low VOC architectural paint recommended for high-traffic areas where frequent washings are expected and features the GreenSure™ rating. For interior use.

Duration®, by Sherwin-Williams, is a self-priming exterior formula with PermaLast® technology for an extremely durable, long-lasting coating that is guaranteed for as long as you own your home. For exterior use.

Wallcovering (wallpaper) products for historic and traditional buildings come in a variety of price points, materials, and inspirations. Reproduction and custom designs can be purchased from:

• Adelphia Paper Hangings – makers of custom and historic block-printed wallpaper
• Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers – a sumptuous inventory of designs reflecting the Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and Modernism movements (purchase samples online)
• Charles Rupert – wallpaper, fabrics and tiles for traditional homes, including the widest selection available of William Morris designs (purchase samples online)
• Audrey Sterk Design of Nantucket - Limited edition scenic murals and toile wallcoverings in designs that are either reproduction or inspired by historic sites

Resources

• National Register of Historic Places – the national organization for the inventory and preservation of historic properties
• Historic New England - the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional preservation organization in the country (formerly known as the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities)
• Massachusetts Historical Commission
• Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System