Historic homes in Easton, Bethlehem, Doylestown, and across the Lehigh Valley have specific painting requirements. Lead paint, HARB approval, period colors, and the right primer for 100-year-old surfaces.
What Counts as a Historic Home in the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley has rich concentrations of historic architecture. Easton's College Hill and West Ward contain some of the best-preserved Federal and Victorian streetscapes in PA. Bethlehem's South Side has late Victorian and early 20th century working-class homes being actively restored. Doylestown (Bucks County) has a historic district with active HARB oversight. Jim Thorpe's entire borough is a designated historic district. Understanding whether your home is in a locally designated historic district — and what that means for painting choices — is the first step.
Lead Paint: The Most Important Factor in Pre-1978 Homes
The majority of historic homes in the Lehigh Valley were built before 1978 and contain lead paint. Lead paint in good condition (not peeling or deteriorating) is not immediately hazardous. Lead paint that is being disturbed — sanded, scraped, or removed — creates dust that is extremely hazardous. Federal law (EPA RRP Rule) requires that contractors disturbing lead paint on pre-1978 homes be EPA Lead-Safe Certified and follow specific work practices. We are certified, we test all surfaces we'll disturb, and we follow proper containment and cleanup procedures.
Stripping vs Painting Over Existing Paint
On historic homes with many layers of paint, the question of whether to strip or paint over is complex. Full stripping (down to bare wood) gives you the cleanest possible base and reveals the original wood condition, but it's expensive and often unnecessary. Painting over existing layers is acceptable when: the existing paint is adhered well (no peeling or lifting), the existing layers aren't so thick that they're bridging trim details, and the surface will accept a fresh coat without lead paint disturbance. On most Lehigh Valley historic homes, proper prep (scrape all loose paint, prime bare areas, caulk) followed by quality topcoats gives a 10-year result without full stripping.
Period-Appropriate Colors for Lehigh Valley Historic Homes
The Colonial era (1700-1780): dominant colors were white, cream, and soft earth tones. Federal era (1780-1820): elegant restraint — white or pale cream body, bright white trim, black or dark green shutters. Victorian era (1860-1900): rich, multi-color schemes that celebrated ornament. The Painted Ladies of the Queen Anne period used 4-6 colors to highlight architectural detail. Craftsman bungalows (1905-1930): earthy naturalistic palettes — forest green, olive, warm brown, clay. Period colors aren't mandatory on most locally-designated properties, but they're usually the most satisfying choice aesthetically.
HARB and Historic District Approval
If your home is in a locally designated historic district, exterior paint color changes may require Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB) approval. Each municipality administers this independently. Easton's HARB meets monthly and reviews applications for exterior changes in the historic districts. Bethlehem's HARB covers South Bethlehem and parts of the city center. Doylestown's HARB is particularly active. We can advise on color choices most likely to receive approval, and we can help you prepare the application documentation where required.
Ready to Get Started?
Free estimates with no obligation. PA License #PA126039. Serving the Lehigh Valley since 2010.
Book Free Estimate (610) 252-1815