Painting can be one of the most dramatic and least
expensive improvements to a building. Painting at regular intervals
is also an essential part of maintenance and upkeep. This protects vulnerable
wood surfaces from deterioration. Painting is also a practical way to
visually tie together individual building facades in the downtown area.
Attention should be given not only to selection of appropriate colors,
but also to the preparation of the surfaces, choice of paint type (oil
or latex base) and finish (gloss, semi-gloss or matte).
Guidelines:
- Color applied to side and rear walls should
avoid harsh shifts from that on front walls. A building should be treated
visually consistent on all sides.
- When repainting, consider using the original
painting scheme and color palette.
- Color should be used to tie building elements,
such as details, decorations, cornices, signs and storefronts together.
This is usually most successful when a maximum of three colors is used.
- The color palette should be consistent throughout
both the upper and lower portions of the building's front facade.
- Color palettes and paint schemes on adjoining
buildings should be compatible.
- Color palettes should generally be lighter
on the south side of the street, which is normally in shadow, than on
the north, which is normally in sun.
- The color used on the cornice should offset
the color of the sky.
- Normally, the previous paint type (oil or
latex base) should be used in repainting. Generally, use oil base paint
for wood and latex base paint for masonry.
- Avoid the use of bright primary colors which
are usually incompatible with the buildings downtown. Bright colors
are also highly susceptible to fading.
- Avoid the use of very dark colors which are
usually incompatible with the buildings downtown.
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