Painter in Amsterdam-Centrum for canal houses

In Amsterdam-Centrum, painting is in the service of centuries-old buildings. The canal ring is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and in the surrounding streets, from the Jordaan to the Nieuwmarkt, many listed buildings stand closely packed together. Oranje Kwast has previously worked on a monumental canal house and knows how much care the window frames, windows and doors of a building like that demand. Every street here has its own character, and the paintwork should be in keeping with it.

Canal houses and steep staircases

A typical canal house is narrow, tall and deep. At the front there is often a decorated gable, large windows and a monumental front door with a fanlight above it. Inside you will find steep stairs, high ceilings and wooden floors. Over time, many of these buildings have been converted into apartments, with a shared front door and a communal stairwell.

For painting, that means working at height on window frames and windows, often with scaffolding or an aerial platform, and taking the residents on other floors into account. Scaffolding or a skip on the street may require a permit or an exemption from the municipality. For a national or municipal listed building, there are also rules on colour and materials; check these with the City of Amsterdam beforehand.

Heritage painting by Oranje Kwast

With a listed building, it is all about preservation. Old mouldings on window frames and doors are kept intact, wood rot is repaired with respect for the original, and the paint is built up in layers that suit the building. Loose layers of paint are removed carefully, so that the old woodwork underneath is not damaged unnecessarily, and bare areas are given a primer that suits the wood.

• Painting the window frames and windows of canal houses, from the ground floor frontage to the top floor
• A monumental front door in a classic colour, such as the green monumental entrance
• Repairing damaged window frames and sills with window frame repair
• Characterful stairwells in consultation with all residents

Planning in the city centre

In the city centre, good planning is half the job. That is why, during the free consultation, our painter discusses not only the painting but also the practical side: where the materials will be kept, how the stairwell stays usable and when the weather is right for the exterior work. You will receive a reply to your enquiry within 24 hours.

Also read painting a listed building, or go back to painter in Amsterdam. If you live in a pre-war walk-up flat, take a look at Amsterdam-West.