Painting Historic Homes: Special Considerations

Des Moines has a rich architectural heritage, with neighborhoods like Sherman Hill, Beaverdale, and the East Village featuring stunning Victorian, Craftsman, and mid-century homes that require specialized painting expertise. Painting these historic properties correctly requires understanding their unique construction, materials, and the preservation principles that protect their character. Victorian and Craftsman homes built before 1940 often have multiple layers of old paint, including potentially lead-based paint (common in homes built before 1978). TrueEdge Paint follows EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) guidelines for lead paint, using certified lead-safe work practices to protect our workers and your family. These older homes also feature complex architectural details — decorative brackets, turned spindles, dentil molding, and intricate trim work — that require careful masking and precise brush work to paint correctly. The right color palette is also critical for historic homes. Many Des Moines neighborhoods have historic preservation guidelines that specify approved color palettes, and even where guidelines don't exist, choosing historically appropriate colors preserves the home's character and neighborhood context. TrueEdge Paint works with historic color resources from paint manufacturers and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help owners of historic Des Moines homes select appropriate, beautiful color schemes.