Niagara Region has a remarkable stock of older homes, from Victorian cottages in Grimsby Beach to century brick in St. Catharines and the historic streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Painting them well takes a different approach than painting a newer house.
Lead Paint
Homes built before 1960 are likely to contain lead paint somewhere, and homes built up to 1990 may. Lead is a hazard when it is sanded, scraped or burned into dust. A careful painter will use lead-safe practices: wet scraping, containment with plastic sheeting, HEPA vacuums and thorough clean-up. If you are unsure, lead test kits and lab testing are available.
Oil-Based Trim
Older trim and doors are often coated in oil-based paint. Modern latex paint applied directly over oil tends to peel. The fix is proper cleaning, sanding and a bonding primer before the finish coats.
Plaster Walls
Plaster is harder and more durable than drywall, but it cracks as houses settle. Cracks should be properly repaired, not just filled with a quick skim of compound that will crack again. Older plaster may also need a primer to seal it before painting.
Wood Siding and Trim
Original wood clapboard and detailed trim are worth preserving. Scraping loose paint, replacing failed caulking, priming bare wood and using a quality exterior paint will protect them far better than covering them up.
Heritage Districts
Some areas, including Niagara-on-the-Lake's Old Town, are designated heritage conservation districts where exterior alterations may need approval. Rules about paint colour vary by municipality and district, so check with your municipality's heritage planning staff before you change your exterior colours.
The Bottom Line
Older homes reward patience. A painter who takes the time to prepare surfaces properly will give you a finish that respects the house and lasts.