Painting the Outside of an Old House in Period Colors
The predominate color of houses or exterior trim for many years in Park Hill was white. Actually, the white color that was used was really a light cream color because a true white paint was not technologically possible until fairly recent times. Now, with renewed interest in the historical value of homes, many homeowners are painting their houses similar colors to the original ones
The most predominant old-house styles in Park Hill include: Victorian, Queen Anne, Bungalow, Craftsman, Cottage, Tudor and Mediterranean Revival, Denver Square and mid-century modern. Old House Journal Online is a great source for colors of each architectural style.
The first two house styles, Victorian and Queen Anne, were generally built before the turn of the twentieth century. Paint schemes of five or more colors were typical. Common shingle colors included: dark red, reddish brown, warm brown and light green. The trim and roof brackets often were painted maroon, reddish orange, bronze yellow and dark green. Window sash commonly was maroon, dark red, dark green
Paint colors for the Bungalow, Craftsman, Cottage, Tudor Revival and Denver Square were very different than the above two styles because they were a direct reaction to the “gaudiness and fussiness “of the Victorian era. The Arts and Crafts Movement abounded then and was known for revelry of nature. Wood trim was often untreated or stained.
These houses were all about subdued colors of nature. When the exterior was painted, many of the colors were “grayed.” Soft gray green, gray yellow, gray terra cotta, gray blue and grey were popular colors. The use of three colors were common; for example, dark grayish green for roof brackets, sage green for the body, and light willow green on the window sash and under the roof eaves. While the eves are frequently painted a light hue to allow more light into the house, roof brackets are often dark, which gives the impression of strength to support the roof, a major characteristic of these homes.
Mediterranean Revival homes are generally covered with stucco and a tile roof. The trim is painted to reflect the warm colors of the Mediterranean, often turquoise or terra cotta.
Mid-century Modern colors ranged from the ever popular then turquoise and pink to canary, paprika, and wheatgrass.
A good resource for color pallets
For me, I like when downspouts are painted to match the brick, stucco or siding. I don’t think downspouts are particularly pretty, so I do not like the accent them. Also, I like the inside of windows to be painted a light color. When they are painted a dark color, I think of a dark spooky house.
No, no, no – Please No!
Aluminum siding – how tempting is the salesperson or advertisement’s pitch – no more painting! Just have aluminum siding installed. It doesn’t take long.
Well, what the salesperson or the advertisement doesn’t tell you is that often you have doomed your house to rot! Yes, rot! Water can and does get under the siding and causes major problems. The wood siding underneath starts to rot and the water can seep into the home from the rotted wood. This can cause structural problems.
If you are considering buying a home with aluminum siding, be sure and have the inspector check for water damage or have the homeowner guarantee that there is none.
For further information, contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Regional Office, 303-623-1504.
Painting brick – Why? Painting brick can be a real determent to this beautiful asset of a home. If water gets under the paint, it could crack the brick during one of our area’s famous freeze thaw cycles. If your brick is already painted, be sure and have it painted on a routine basis so that the brick is protected from water.
If you are considering buying a painted brick home, you may want to think again.
For further information, contact the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute, 303-893-3838
Elizabeth can be reached through her website, HistoricGenie.com