Expert Painting for Chicago's Historic Homes
Lead-Safe Certified
EPA RRP compliant
Plaster Experts
Proper prep techniques
Period Colors
Historical authenticity
20+ Years Experience
Chicago area specialists
The Challenges of Older Chicago Homes
Your Victorian, craftsman, or mid-century home wasn't built like modern construction. Plaster walls crack and require different preparation than drywall. Pre-1978 homes may contain lead paint requiring special handling. Original woodwork deserves careful treatment, not sloppy painting. Many contractors lack experience with older home challenges.
Painting Expertise for Older Homes
We've painted hundreds of Chicago's older homes and understand their unique needs. Our EPA Lead-Safe certified team handles lead paint properly. We know how to prep plaster without causing damage. We respect original millwork and can recommend period-appropriate colors that honor your home's architectural heritage.
Historic Home Painting Services
Specialized expertise for your home's unique needs.
Interior Painting
Plaster-appropriate preparation, proper primer selection, and techniques that prevent cracking. We protect and paint original woodwork with the care it deserves.
Exterior Painting
Lead-safe practices for pre-1978 homes. Period-appropriate color palettes. Proper preparation of wood siding, ornate trim, and architectural details.
Plaster Repair
Repair cracks, patch holes, and restore damaged plaster using appropriate materials and techniques. We stabilize failing plaster rather than just covering problems.
Period Color Guidance
Select historically appropriate colors that honor your home's architecture while reflecting your personal style. We know which palettes suit which eras.
Why Historic Homes Need Specialized Care
Proper Plaster Prep
Plaster requires different preparation than drywall. We stabilize hairline cracks, address failed keys, and prime correctly to prevent future problems.
Lead-Safe Practices
EPA-certified lead-safe practices protect your family during renovation. Proper containment, HEPA filtration, and compliant disposal of debris.
Woodwork Respect
Original trim, built-ins, and millwork deserve careful attention. We protect details, hand-paint intricate areas, and honor craftsmanship.
Trusted by Historic Homeowners
Preserving North Shore character homes since 2005
"Our 1920s Kenilworth home has original plaster throughout. Z&Z understood how to prep it properly—no shortcuts. Two years later, not a single crack has returned. They really know older homes."
"Lead paint concerns kept us from renovating for years. Z&Z explained their lead-safe process, contained everything properly, and we felt safe throughout. Beautiful results on our 1905 Victorian."
"They helped us choose Arts & Crafts appropriate colors for our bungalow. The deep greens and warm creams look perfect with our quarter-sawn oak trim. Like stepping back in time."
"Our home has intricate crown molding and original built-in bookcases. Z&Z hand-painted every detail with care. The woodwork looks stunning—crisp lines and no drips anywhere."
Our Historic Home Approach
Specialized techniques that honor your home's heritage.
Historic Assessment
Evaluate plaster condition, identify lead paint concerns, document original features. Understand your home's specific challenges before planning work.
Lead Testing
For pre-1978 homes, test for lead paint in areas to be disturbed. Plan containment and work practices based on findings.
Plaster Stabilization
Address failing plaster, repair cracks properly with appropriate materials. Prime with plaster-specific products that prevent future problems.
Woodwork Protection
Mask and protect original details carefully. Hand-paint intricate trim and millwork. Use appropriate primers for historic wood.
Period-Appropriate Colors
Select historically harmonious colors or help you modernize while respecting architecture. Test samples against original elements.
Documentation
Provide complete records of colors and products used. Important for future maintenance and any historic preservation requirements.
Ready to get started? Let's discuss your project.
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Let's Honor Your Home's Heritage
Schedule a consultation with our historic home specialists. We'll assess your home's unique needs and plan appropriate solutions.
Historic & Older Home Painting FAQs
Common questions about our services
We're EPA Lead-Safe certified and follow all RRP regulations. This includes proper containment of work areas, HEPA-filtered equipment, wet methods to minimize dust, and compliant disposal of debris. We can test suspicious areas before work begins and adjust our approach accordingly.
In most cases, painting over intact lead paint is safer and more practical than removal, which creates hazardous dust. We thoroughly clean and prepare surfaces, use bonding primers, and encapsulate the lead paint safely beneath new coatings. Removal is only recommended when paint is severely deteriorated.
Proper preparation is key. We widen hairline cracks slightly, use flexible patching compounds, apply fiberglass mesh over larger cracks, and use plaster-specific primers that maintain flexibility. This addresses causes rather than just covering symptoms. Most properly repaired cracks stay repaired.
Yes—paint manufacturers offer extensive historic color collections, and we can also custom-match samples from your home or period references. Benjamin Moore's Historical Collection, Sherwin-Williams' Historic Colors, and Farrow & Ball offer excellent period-appropriate palettes.
Some historic districts have guidelines about exterior colors or finishes, particularly for street-facing elements. We're familiar with Chicago-area preservation guidelines and can work within any requirements. Interior work typically has no restrictions regardless of district designation.
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