A 240-year-old Sudbury Colonial in the historic district. The owners weren't trying to modernize — they wanted the existing palette restored, original clapboards preserved, and proper period-correct technique.

The challenge

Original 1780s clapboards have survived a dozen paint layers. Stripping risks damaging the wood; not stripping risks paint failure. Historic district rules also restricted certain finishes — no sprayed application visible from the street.

What we did

  • Scrape only what was failing — preserve sound paint as substrate
  • Hand-sand transitions to feather sound paint into bare wood
  • Spot-prime bare wood with oil-bond (compatible with old layers)
  • Caulk failing joints with paintable acrylic (no silicone — won't accept paint)
  • Hand-brushed two coats Aura Exterior throughout — period-appropriate technique
  • Re-painted original wood shutters off the wall, re-hung

The result

Same building, fresh finish, historic character intact. Passed historic district review without comment — the goal on a project like this.

See exterior painting in Sudbury for more historic-home work.