Best practices from Historic New England experts

Exterior paints, stains, and washes are sacrificial layers meant to protect the substrate and contribute stylistically to a historic building. Additionally, these finishes hold important information regarding the class, style, and historic practices of previous residents and serve as a record of how a building or structure has changed through time.

Any painting project should consider the documentation of earlier layers as important as creating the new layer. Historic New England has created the following guidelines for exterior paint:

• Monitor and maintain the paint finish to prolong its life.
• Plan thoughtfully, considering issues like materials, preparation, the impact of activities on people and the landscape, and timing.
• Follow all appropriate EPA and OSHA guidelines and standards for the safe removal and disposal of paint.
• Prepare the surface in a manner that balances the potential need to retain earlier paint layers with the need to obtain the longest-lasting finish possible.
• Apply the paint using a method that will ensure a lasting quality finish.
• Document the completed project in a way that will help future generations learn about this particular process.

Painting Topics

• Exterior Paint Overview
• Exterior Paint Selection
• Exterior Paint Project Planning
• Guidelines for Exterior Paint Application
• Draft Specifications for Exterior Paint
• Painting Project Documentation
• Paint Analysis
• Historic Paint Bibliography
• Washing Exterior Surfaces