3 Tips for Painting Your Historic Home in Plainfield

Painting a historic home is about more than just improving appearances—it’s about protecting craftsmanship that’s hard to find today. These homes often have unique features and structural details that require a specialized approach to maintain their integrity. At CertaPro Painters of Naperville & Plainfield, we understand the requirements and the responsibility that comes with restoring and painting older properties. Our experience with interior and exterior painting on historic homes throughout the area gives us a clear understanding of both the aesthetic and structural demands these homes present.

Attention to Detail is Everything

Older homes in our community are known for their distinctive design elements—things like crown molding, detailed wood trim, custom staircases, and original hardwood floors. Painting over these features without damaging them takes a level of experience that goes far beyond standard residential painting services. That’s why our team is made up of skilled professionals who know how to handle delicate surfaces, avoid oversaturation, and apply finishes in a way that preserves character. If your home has ornate interior trim, grand archways, or other historical features, we’re prepared to treat every surface with care and attention.

Restoring a historic home is not the same as painting a newer build. These projects often demand a level of caution and precision to make sure no historical elements are lost or compromised. Our team takes the time to assess what can be repaired, what needs light carpentry, and how best to preserve the home’s original features while still giving it an updated and clean result.

Painting Preparation May Take Longer Than at a Modern Home

Preparation is a big part of the job when it comes to working on historic homes. Years of wear and tear—sometimes decades without renovation—can result in cracked walls, uneven surfaces, or damage that needs to be addressed before painting begins. In many older homes, especially in the Plainfield and Naperville area, original plaster may still be intact, requiring careful handling. Cleaning surfaces, sanding uneven areas, and filling gaps or imperfections often takes longer than expected, and it’s not something most homeowners want to take on as a DIY project.

It’s also common for older homes to have lead paint or other outdated materials that require proper removal or encapsulation. Our team is familiar with the regulations that apply to working with such materials and follows safety practices to ensure everything is handled correctly. If you’re beginning a complete historic renovation, we’ll walk through each phase of prep and keep you updated along the way.

Choose Your Paint Color Carefully

Another challenge unique to historic homes is color selection. Not every neighborhood allows homeowners to change the appearance of their property without approval. Many homes in the Naperville and Plainfield area fall under historic or HOA guidelines, which means paint color choices need to be reviewed by a Historic Committee or other neighborhood board. This process can delay projects if you don’t plan ahead.

That’s why we offer every client a free color consultation. Our design team will help you narrow down historically appropriate palettes that meet community requirements and still reflect your style. Whether you’re maintaining a home from the early 1900s or updating a post-war build, our color advisors can show you visual options before any work begins. Getting the color right on a historic home isn’t just about aesthetics—it helps protect property value and community consistency.

Start Planning Your Restoration with CertaPro Painters of Naperville & Plainfield

If you’re thinking about updating a historic home, don’t wait until the weather turns or materials become harder to source. The first step in any successful restoration is planning—and that includes everything from choosing paint to scheduling prep work. CertaPro Painters of Naperville & Plainfield is ready to help with your interior or exterior painting project, including homes under historic protection or preservation rules. Our team also provides light carpentry services to help restore older structures without needing multiple contractors.

To get started, give us a call at 815-254-8880 or explore our commercial painting services if you’re involved with historic buildings used for business or public use. We’re proud to serve local homeowners and take part in preserving the architectural legacy of Naperville and Plainfield.

Let’s begin preparing your home for a new chapter—starting with the right team and the right approach.