Washington, DC, remains iconic for its rowhomes and Georgian architecture that come with ornate ironwork and historical charm, offering a level of uniqueness that can’t be found anywhere else. The homes that are carefully maintained continue to hold their value, but there are challenges that many homeowners face along the way. Metal fence refinishing in Washington, DC can address many of these problems, preventing things like rust, peeling paint, and corrosion before they grow into bigger issues.
The value of refinishing and general maintenance of your DC home is seen in its curb appeal, preserving the character of a home for many years to come. The small investment comes at a small cost as compared to the value it provides homeowners, ensuring that when it is time to sell, homeowners receive the best possible offer. Take the steps necessary to preserve every detail within the home and protect the investment of homeownership before it’s too late.
Wrought iron fence painting and simple metal railing painting are easy ways of increasing the curb appeal of historic homes. Bring out the very best of your home and use such services to preemptively prepare your home for winter weather and other challenges related to rust buildup.
Understanding The Importance of Refinishing For Older DC Homes
Many neighborhoods across the city are lined with homes with deep history, giving the area its own unique touch. Logan Circle, Woodley Park, and Georgetown are places that bring beauty and charm, along with history lessons of a different time period. Several older homes come with architectural significance in their metalwork, giving each home its own unique appeal that can’t be found anywhere else.
Ongoing and dedicated preservation efforts of the property improve property value, maintaining the neighborhood aesthetics for many years in the future. Even yearly or bi-yearly efforts can help maintain a home’s value, addressing pesky rust and ensuring that your property can survive not only normal wear and tear, but also challenging weather conditions.
Common with Aging Metal Fences & Railings
Life in DC comes with humid summers and snowy winters, not exactly ideal for metal fences and railings found on many older, historic homes. Rust and corrosion are common problems for many properties, which, left unaddressed, could result in greater safety concerns. Structural weakening is a potential issue for many homes, which could be a costly issue to address.
Some homes, especially older homes, could also have lead paint throughout the property, offering a potentially toxic mix when paired with corrosion and rust. On many occasions, this type of work to properly restore and preserve metal fences and railings will take significant amounts of time and energy, and sometimes best reserved for a team of professionals.
The Refinishing and Process by Image Painting
Learn our processes for refinishing metal fences and railings in Washington, DC.
- Inspection: Our team gets up close with your property to identify any restoration concerns you may have, while identifying rust and other issues along the way.
- Rust Removal: Depending on the severity of the rusting on your property, we use a number of different methods to soak and scrub away rust throughout your property.
- Surface Preparation: To properly restore your metal fences, each surface has to be carefully cleaned and prepped.
- Primer: We then apply a primer intended to prevent rust from building up again in the future.
- Painting and Sealing: At times, some fences may call for several coats of paint once the surface has had its primer applied. We look to the very best paints and other supplies for added protection.
Historic Home Restoration DC: Pros Vs DIY
At times, restoration work on historic homes in DC is easier said than done. Each project comes with unique elements, requiring both experience and knowledge on such matters.
Many homeowners look to or try to complete such work for themselves, but hiring a team of professionals will ensure the job is done right the first time. Many of the staff here at Image Painting have significant experience with restoring metal and iron fences that are so common in the area, helping you save both time and effort. Our access to the right tools and materials helps us get the job done correctly, but in a timely manner as well.
Leave the complexities of home restoration services to the professionals, who bring knowledge and experience with the types of properties in the area.
Suggested Finishes and Paints for Durability in DC’s Climate
Due to the sometimes volatile weather experienced in DC, we recommend using acrylic latex paint that can help your railings and fences stay resilient to the elements. Further, an oil-based primer is very helpful for preventing the future build-up of rust, while a gloss finish can help your property shine.
Certain types of fences or railings may call for specialized materials.
Choosing The Right Professional For Metal Fence Repair DC
Choosing the wrong contractor for the job can result in subpar results, sometimes creating more headaches than solutions. Browse through your options and select contractors that have licenses to perform such work and have experience working on historical homes. The truth is that some historical homes can be challenging to work on, and some contractors may complete the work incorrectly and cause accidental damage to your property. Request local references and take the time to browse their work and credentials, either online or in person.
While you may know someone who will do the job for “cheap”, the final results may not be able to withstand the cold and humidity known in the DC area. Many contractors will need to have a careful understanding of any required permits and be able to carefully follow any relevant historic preservation guidelines.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring A Contractor to Work on Your Home
For homes that come with historical value, consider asking these questions before hiring any kind of contractor for restoration services in DC.
- Do you have experience working on historic homes?
- Is this type of work something you specialize in?
- Do you maintain any trade licenses for this kind of work?
- Do you use any guidelines for preserving historic homes?
- What types of materials are best for my home?
- How long will the project take to complete?
- What sort of costs should I expect for this project?
- Do you have a portfolio of projects I can look at?
- Do you have the required insurance for this project?
- Do you do any work with subcontractors?
Metal Fence Repair DC: Maintenance Tips For Continued Longevity
The great properties across the city have taken extensive time and energy to ensure they are properly preserved. It is not by accident that many stunning homes are able to withstand both age and the climate, having taken the time to properly maintain and restore each element of the property.
Many homeowners should partake in annual inspections, touch-ups, and seasonal care in order to properly preserve their property. Without such efforts, you could run into costly projects that would have been more affordable to address year-over-year.
How to Spot Early Warning Signs of Deterioration in Historic Homes
For metal railings and fences, homeowners can spot signs of discoloration as an early warning of the development of rust. Sometimes you may notice bubbling or cracking paint, as rust is beginning to form underneath. Small holes may appear throughout the surface as well, while areas where welds have been made will also begin to weaken. Further, general rust stains may appear throughout, looking like red and crusty blotches. Left untreated, rust can turn into significant problems, create unsafe steps, or pose a risk to your neighbors or anyone who visits the property.
Call Image Painting Directly For a Free Quote
For anyone looking to take preventive steps to stop rust or wishing to fully restore their metal fence or railing, it all begins with a simple inspection. Our team is happy to take a closer look at your rust or restoration needs, capable of spotting problems that many homeowners tend to overlook. Lean on the experience of our team of professionals who understand exactly how complex historic homes are and the special needs they require.
The benefits are easy to see once the project is complete. Not only do our restoration services offer longevity and beauty, but they also preserve a home’s historical authenticity for many years. Ready to get started? Reach out today and learn more about our services, including a long line of offerings specifically for historical homes right here in the DC area. Restore the historical charm of your home.
Image Painting remains your number one choice for home restoration services, bringing deep knowledge of historical home preservation, along with highly qualified professionals who can complete the work on schedule and on budget. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your home restoration project. Big or small, we can help.
Contact Image Painting today to learn more.