Wellesley Colonial Exterior Painting: 1928 Cedar Shingle Restoration
Project Overview
| Location: | Wellesley Hills, MA |
| Home Style & Age: | Colonial Revival, built 1928 |
| Home Size: | 3,400 sq ft |
| Project Type: | Full Exterior Repaint with Carpentry |
| Siding: | Original cedar shingle |
| Project Duration: | 14 working days |
| Completion Date: | August 2024 |
| Project Cost: | $17,500 |
| Lead-Safe Required: | Yes (pre-1978 home) |
A 1928 Colonial Revival in Wellesley Hills had not received a full exterior repaint in 11 years, and the original cedar shingle siding was showing significant UV degradation, tannin bleed, and three areas of wood rot from prolonged moisture exposure. The homeowners wanted a color update from the existing tan-and-brown scheme to Hale Navy body with Simply White trim. The project required full EPA RRP lead-safe protocols, 22 linear feet of cedar shingle replacement, and a complete tannin-blocking primer system before topcoat application. Total: 14 working days at $17,500.
This project demonstrates why exterior repaints on older Wellesley homes carry premium pricing compared to newer suburbs: prep complexity, lead-safe protocols, and carpentry repairs frequently double the labor hours of a standard repaint.
The Starting Condition
The previous repaint had been done in 2013 with a mid-tier acrylic latex without the durability needed for a Wellesley home with significant southern exposure. By summer 2024, the failures were widespread: visible chalking on south and west-facing walls, three areas of rotted cedar clapboard near the front porch and the kitchen window, brown tannin bleed staining where moisture had penetrated the previous paint film, loose paint along the second-story trim and the front porch ceiling, mildew growth on the north-facing rear elevation, and failed caulk at multiple window perimeters and the foundation transition.
The Plan
- EPA RRP lead-safe containment for the entire project. Polyethylene sheeting, HEPA vacuum attachments on sanders, daily verification cleanup.
- Power washing at 1,800 psi. 48-hour drying period before any prep continued.
- Carpentry repairs: 22 linear feet of cedar shingle replacement, trim repair around 3 windows, full porch ceiling resurface.
- Tannin-blocking primer: Sherwin-Williams Exterior Oil-Based Wood Primer applied to all bare cedar and previously stained areas.
- Topcoat: Two coats of Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior in Hale Navy (HC-154) for the body, Simply White (OC-117) for the trim, and Caliente (AF-290) for the front door accent.
- Full re-caulk of all window perimeters, foundation transition, and trim joints.
The Execution
Day 1-2: Containment & Power Washing
EPA RRP containment sheeting installed around the entire perimeter. Power washing completed in stages. 48-hour drying period before any prep continued.
Day 3-5: Surface Prep & Lead-Safe Sanding
Hand scraping and machine sanding of all loose paint areas. HEPA vacuum attachments on all sanders. Wood moisture content verified at less than 15% on all bare cedar before any primer application.
Day 6-7: Carpentry Repairs
22 linear feet of cedar shingle replacement. Trim repair around 3 windows, including new sills on the kitchen window. Front porch ceiling boards replaced where rotted.
Day 8: Caulking & Final Prep
Full re-caulk of all window perimeters, foundation transition, and trim joints. Final inspection before primer application.
Day 9-10: Primer Application
Sherwin-Williams Exterior Oil-Based Wood Primer applied to all bare cedar and previously stained areas. 24-hour dry time before topcoat.
Day 11-13: Topcoat Application
Two coats of Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior applied to body, trim, and front door by brush and roller, with backup spray on detailed trim sections. 6-hour dry time between coats.
Day 14: Final Walkthrough & Cleanup
EPA RRP containment removed and disposed of per lead-safe protocols. Final walkthrough with homeowner (one minor area addressed same day). All tools and materials removed.
The Result
The Hale Navy body with Simply White trim creates a classic New England look that suits the 1928 Colonial Revival architecture, while the Caliente front door adds a distinctive accent. The Benjamin Moore Aura specification means the homeowners should expect 8 to 10 years before the next repaint cycle, with significantly better color retention than the previous mid-tier paint delivered.
“We had three painting contractors quote this project. Two of them did not even mention lead paint or EPA certification, which is alarming for a 1928 home. Vitalie’s estimate was the most detailed of the three, included the carpentry repairs we knew we needed, and was actually the middle bid not the lowest. Worth every dollar.”
— Robert & Jennifer M., Wellesley Hills homeowners
Key Takeaways for Wellesley Exterior Projects
- Lead-safe certification is non-negotiable for pre-1978 Wellesley homes. Many older Wellesley neighborhoods have 70-90% pre-1978 housing. Hiring a non-certified contractor on these homes is illegal under federal law and creates personal liability for the homeowner.
- Cedar shingle requires tannin-blocking primer. Skipping oil-based primer on cedar leads to brown bleed-through staining within 2 to 3 years on lighter paint colors.
- Premium paint pays off on Wellesley homes. The cost difference between Benjamin Moore Aura and a mid-tier paint on a 3,400 sq ft home is roughly $1,200. The durability difference is 3-5 years of additional life.
Planning a Similar Project?
If you are planning an exterior painting project in Wellesley, Echo House Painting offers free in-home assessments. Learn more about our exterior painting service or see our Wellesley painting services overview.
Call 781-403-4809 or email echohousepainting@mail.com.