Painting a listed building: how is it done?

What makes a listed building different

Old buildings, such as the canal houses in Amsterdam-Centrum, often have window frames, doors and mouldings of solid timber that has lasted for generations. That timber is usually of good quality, but it has also seen many coats of paint. Some old layers have become hard and brittle, others are coming loose. A painter therefore has to judge per component whether he can paint over it or must first remove layers. The construction deserves attention too: old frames have rebates, profiles and glazing bars that cannot simply be replaced without affecting the character of the building.

The approach step by step

• Inspection: paint layers, wood rot, sealant and the condition of glazing bars and beads.
• Repair: replacing affected timber locally with matching wood, keeping the profiles intact.
• Preparation: sanding, removing loose layers and priming bare timber.
• Finish: a paint system suitable for old timber, in the right sheen level.

Among other jobs, Oranje Kwast finished the green door of a listed entrance. Jobs like these are all about detail: crisp lines on the profiles, no paint on the glass and a colour that suits the period in which the building was built.

Permits and colour rules

For a national monument, a municipal monument or a building in a protected townscape, rules often apply to changes to the exterior. Painting in the same colour usually counts as ordinary maintenance. If you want a different colour, an environmental permit may be required. The exact rules differ per municipality and per building, so check beforehand with the municipality or via the Omgevingsloket. In Amsterdam, a large part of the historic city centre falls under a protected townscape.

Even if the building is not listed but stands in a historic street, it is wise to look at the neighbours when choosing a colour. Tips on this can be found on choosing a window frame colour.

Why craftsmanship counts here

Mistakes on a listed building are expensive and sometimes irreversible. A paint film that is too impermeable on old timber can trap moisture, and sanding too coarsely damages profiles that cannot be restored. So choose a qualified painter with experience of old buildings. As a member of Koninklijke OnderhoudNL and De Betere Schilder, Oranje Kwast meets requirements for quality, qualifications and experience. Also read exterior painting on Amsterdam buildings and take a look at the service wood rot and frame repair.