TL;DR: Paint Pro New England specializes in Sherborn's historic homes — EPA Lead-Safe certified, expert prep, gentle low-pressure washing, 2-year warranty, 5.0 stars. With 200+ historic properties and commission oversight in town, lead-safe prep on pre-1978 homes matters and we handle it to code. Free estimates.
Sherborn is one of the most architecturally distinctive towns in MetroWest Boston. With over 200 identified historic properties, two National Register districts, and a Local Historic District with commission oversight, painting a Sherborn home requires a crew that understands what they're working with.
We've been painting homes in Sherborn and the surrounding towns for over 15 years. We know the difference between working on a 1780s center-chimney colonial and a 1990s reproduction — and we know what the Sherborn Historical Commission expects.
Painting in Sherborn's Historic Districts
National Register Districts
Sherborn has two districts on the National Register of Historic Places: Sherborn Center and Edwards Plain-Dowse Corner. Being on the National Register doesn't restrict what you can do with your property, but it does mean your home has recognized historical significance. Many homeowners in these districts choose historically appropriate colors to honor that character.
Local Historic District
Sherborn's Local Historic District covers 15 properties and does require Historical Commission review before exterior changes. If your home is in this district, you'll want to confirm your color choices with the commission before we start. We've worked with the Sherborn Historical Commission on several projects and can help you navigate the approval process.
Not sure if your property is in a historic district? The Sherborn Town Clerk's office or the Historical Commission can tell you in a quick phone call.
What Makes Sherborn Homes Different
Sherborn's housing stock includes antique colonials with original clapboard, 19th-century farmhouses with cedar shake, and mid-century homes with a mix of siding materials. Each requires a different approach.
Cedar Shake and Shingle
Many Sherborn homes feature cedar shake or shingle siding. The town itself has noted that power washing is too harsh for old wood shingles — it tears off the top layer and damages the wood fiber. We use low-pressure washing with appropriate cleaning solutions, or hand-washing for particularly fragile surfaces. This is slower, but it protects the substrate that the paint needs to adhere to.
Lead Paint
Roughly 50% of Sherborn's homes were built before 1978, which means lead paint is a real consideration. Any prep work that disturbs old paint — scraping, sanding, heat stripping — must follow EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) rules. Our crew is EPA Lead-Safe certified, and we follow containment, HEPA vacuuming, and wet-method protocols on every pre-1978 exterior. For a detailed overview, see our Massachusetts lead paint guide.
No Vinyl Siding
Sherborn's historic preservation guidelines discourage vinyl siding as inconsistent with the town's historic fabric. This means proper paint maintenance is essential — there's no "cover it with vinyl" shortcut. Well-maintained paint on original clapboard or shingle is exactly what these homes need, and with proper prep work, a quality paint job lasts 8-12 years.
Our Services in Sherborn
Exterior Painting
Full exterior repaints on colonial, Cape, farmhouse, and antique homes. We handle all prep — scraping, wood repair, caulking, priming — before the first coat goes on. On Sherborn's older homes, prep often takes longer than the painting itself, and that's normal.
Interior Painting
Room-by-room or whole-house interior painting. Sherborn's historic interiors often feature plaster walls, detailed trim, and wainscoting that require careful masking and precise brush work.
Cabinet Refinishing
Kitchen cabinet painting and refinishing using cabinet-grade paints that cure to a hard, durable finish. A cost-effective alternative to replacement that updates the kitchen without changing the character of the home.
Deck and Porch Staining
Deck, porch, and fence staining using products rated for New England's climate. We recommend stain over paint for exposed wood surfaces — it handles freeze-thaw cycles better.
Why Sherborn Homeowners Choose Us
- Historic home experience. We've painted dozens of pre-1900 homes across MetroWest, including properties in National Register districts in Holliston and Dover.
- EPA Lead-Safe certified. Required for any work on pre-1978 homes.
- Low-pressure washing. We don't blast old wood with high pressure. We clean it properly.
- 2-year warranty on all work.
- 5.0-star rating across 62+ reviews.
- Fully insured with workers compensation.
What Painting Costs in Sherborn
- Interior (whole home): $4,000-$12,000
- Exterior: $7,000-$16,000 (historic homes trend higher due to prep requirements)
- Kitchen cabinets: $3,000-$6,000
- Deck staining: $800-$2,500
Historic home exteriors in Sherborn often come in at the higher end of the range due to the additional prep work — more layers of old paint to address, more wood repair, and more careful surface preparation. It's worth the investment. A properly prepped and painted Sherborn colonial looks extraordinary and lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Historical Commission approval to paint my Sherborn home?
Only if your property is within the Local Historic District (15 properties). Homes in the National Register districts do not require approval for paint color changes. When in doubt, call the Sherborn Town Clerk's office — they can confirm your property's status quickly.
How do you handle lead paint on older Sherborn homes?
We follow EPA RRP rules on every pre-1978 home. This includes plastic containment around work areas, wet scraping methods to minimize dust, HEPA vacuuming of all debris, and proper disposal of lead-contaminated waste. Our crew is EPA Lead-Safe certified.
What colors are historically appropriate for Sherborn homes?
Traditional colonial palettes include white, cream, pale yellow, slate blue, dark green, barn red, and warm gray. Earth tones and muted colors are most consistent with Sherborn's architectural character. We can help you choose colors that honor your home's period while incorporating modern preferences.
Why is exterior painting more expensive on historic homes?
Historic homes typically have more extensive prep requirements — multiple layers of old paint, potential lead paint remediation, wood repair on aging clapboard or trim, and hand-washing instead of power washing. The painting itself takes roughly the same time, but prep can add 2-4 extra days.
If you have a painting project in Sherborn, we'd be glad to come take a look. We're based in neighboring Holliston and know these homes well. Call or text Dave at (774) 217-9567. Also useful: our historic district paint approval guide, the Massachusetts cost guide, and the MetroWest house painting guide.
Dave Griffiths
Dave Griffiths is the owner of Paint Pro New England, a professional painting company serving MetroWest Boston since 2011. With 15+ years of interior and exterior painting experience across the region, he leads every project with thorough prep, premium Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paints, and a 2-year warranty.
