Arlington is home to some of the most beautiful and distinctive historic properties in Northern Virginia. Classic colonials, charming Victorians, stately Craftsman homes—all carry stories that deserve to be preserved with care. Painting plays a central role in that, helping protect their unique character, maintain their value, and keep them looking their best.
At Image Painting, we understand the responsibility that comes with working on historic homes. Our painters combine skilled craftsmanship with respect for architectural details to deliver results that honor the past while ensuring your home stands strong for the future.
The Importance of Painting Historic Homes
Painting a historic home is about more than refreshing its appearance. It’s an essential part of preservation. Careful painting safeguards original features and materials that may be over a century old, helping to extend the life of wood, plaster, and masonry.
A quality paint job also shields aging materials from the elements. Sun, rain, and seasonal temperature swings can quickly damage unprotected surfaces, leading to rot, cracks, or erosion. Properly applied finishes create a barrier that keeps moisture and UV rays at bay.
Finally, paint enhances curb appeal while staying true to a home’s historic roots. With the right colors and finishes, your home will stand out in its neighborhood—not by looking modernized, but by proudly showcasing its authentic character.
Our Approach to Historic Home Painting
Painting historic properties requires a thoughtful, careful process. At Image Painting, we take every precaution to protect the features that make your home special. Trim, moldings, and other architectural details are shielded during prep and painting so their integrity is never compromised.
We also pay close attention to historically accurate colors and finishes. Our team can help you select shades that reflect the era of your home, whether you’re restoring its original palette or choosing period-appropriate updates that blend authenticity with your personal style.
Historic surfaces often require specialized techniques. From delicate plaster to intricate woodwork, we use methods designed to provide coverage and protection without causing damage. The result is a finish that looks right for the home’s age and endures for years to come.
Challenges of Painting Historic Homes in Arlington
Every historic home presents unique challenges that require specialized knowledge and care. Our team is experienced in addressing the most common issues to ensure lasting, authentic results:
Aging Materials: Older wood, plaster, and masonry often need additional preparation to help paint adhere properly. We stabilize and treat these surfaces to create a strong foundation for a durable finish.
Lead-Based Paint: Many homes built before 1978 contain lead paint. We follow all safety guidelines for containment and removal, protecting your family and our crew throughout the process.
Historic Details: Matching trim, finishes, and other craftsmanship requires precision. We take extra care to replicate details and blend new paint seamlessly with original features.
Benefits of Professional Historic Painting Services
Professional historic painting is an investment in both beauty and preservation. With the right care, your home remains structurally sound, visually striking, and true to its original character. Notable benefits include:
Longevity: Proper preparation and application extend the lifespan of your home’s exterior and interior surfaces, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups or repairs.
Value: A well-maintained historic home commands a higher property value. Buyers are drawn to houses that preserve original charm and clearly reflect ongoing care.
Authenticity: Expert painters safeguard your home while maintaining its historic identity, so it continues to tell its story for years to come.
Popular Historic Color Palettes in Arlington, VA
One of the most exciting parts of painting a historic home is selecting colors that reflect its era. Traditional colonial palettes often feature rich earth tones, deep reds, and muted greens. Victorian homes, on the other hand, embrace more elaborate schemes with contrasting shades that highlight decorative trim and details.
For a timeless look, many Arlington homeowners opt for neutrals paired with period-appropriate accents. Creams, grays, and soft taupes provide an elegant backdrop, while darker shutters or doors add contrast.
Balancing history with modern tastes is also possible. You might choose historically inspired colors, but in slightly updated tones that complement today’s design sensibilities. Our team can guide you through the options to achieve a look that respects tradition while feeling fresh.
Why Choose Us for Your Historic Home Painting
Since 2003, Image Painting has been trusted by homeowners across Arlington and the DC metro area. We’ve worked in some of the region’s most cherished historic neighborhoods, earning a reputation for care, precision, and respect for preservation guidelines.
Our painters are not only skilled but also trained in the techniques required for delicate surfaces and aging materials. We use premium paints and products designed to protect historic homes against the elements without compromising authenticity.
Above all, we treat every project with the attention it deserves. From the first consultation to the final brushstroke, our team’s focus is on delivering results that honor your home’s history and keep it beautiful for years to come.
Get a Free Historic Home Painting Estimate in Arlington, VA
Protecting your historic home begins with the right plan. At Image Painting, we make it simple to schedule a consultation and get clear recommendations tailored to your property.
During your consultation, we’ll walk through your home with you, discuss your goals, and provide a detailed estimate. You’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of preparation, process, and finishes before the work begins.
If you’re ready to safeguard your home’s history while giving it renewed beauty, we’d love to help. Contact Image Painting today to request your free historic home painting estimate in Arlington, VA.
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John Montgomery2025-11-14recently had a complete repaint of my kitchen — white upper cabinets, black lower cabinets, and gold hardware — and the transformation is incredible. Marco was the program manager for my project, and he was exceptional from start to finish. He communicated clearly, kept everything on schedule, and checked in regularly to make sure every detail met my expectations. His follow-up and professionalism were first-class. Pablo was the team lead, and he and his crew were incredibly conscientious. They treated my home with real care, protected everything meticulously, and their attention to detail on a project with contrasting colors and intricate cabinetry was impressive. The lines are crisp, the finish is flawless, and the entire space looks brand-new. Every interaction with the company was easy and professional. They were punctual, responsive, respectful, and committed to doing the job right. I would absolutely hire them again and recommend them without hesitation. — John M
Rick Otis2025-11-11The folks from Image Painting did an excellent job on our metal roof, wooden siding, and iron front stoop.
Simon Hinson-Jones2025-10-29Image painting did a great job painting the exterior of my house and carriage house at the back. Primo, the lead painter was careful, meticulous and personable getting the job done well and in time.
Sue Whitfield2025-10-09Because it had been 21 years since I had the exterior of my house painted, I knew I needed to find a reputable company with a great rating. I had a copy of Best Pics Reports where I found Image Painting. To my amazement the team from Image Painting gave my home of 51 years a beautiful facelift! I will use them for some interior work and will definitely recommend the company to friends and neighbors.
Eric Wagner2025-10-09Image refinished kitchen cabinets that had become worn with age and abuse; they now they look far better than I imagined would be possible. Just like new. Ceiling and drywall repairs and painting were great. Very professional company and a flawless experience all around!
Jessica Moise2025-09-30Image Painting did an outstanding job painting several of our office and administrative workspaces. From the start, scheduling was quick and easy—they were able to get us on the calendar within a week of my initial inquiry. Working with Marco and his team was a breeze; they were professional, efficient, and attentive to detail. The crew prepped the spaces thoroughly, completed the painting beautifully, and left everything clean and tidy. We are very pleased with the results and would strongly recommend Image Painting for anyone looking for quality, reliable service.
Anne Musella2025-09-24They did a fantastic job painting our condo. It’s never looked better!
John McDuffie2025-09-01Very careful, thorough estimate of our exterior house painting needs. We needed not only painting, but also woodwork repair—and they delivered! Very courteous, hardworking painting crew, and the job was reasonably priced.
CLEAN, PROMPT, FRIENDLY SERVICE
Why Hire Us For Your Next Painting Project?
- Affordable Written Quotes – Interior and Exterior
- Residential Painters – Houses, Condos, Townhouse, Apartments
- Commercial Painters – HOAs, Churches, Hotels, Retailers, Offices and Industrial Buildings
- Work Directly with Local Owners
- Three-year Guarantee with Written Warranty
- Color Matching and Color Consultation Expert Advice
- High Quality Paint Brands – Custom Formulations
- Professional Credentials – BBB A+ Rating, PDCA, Arlington Chamber Member
- Secondary Services – Carpentry, Drywall, Plaster, Wallpaper, Power Wash
- Licensed & Insured Painters in VA, MD, DC