Repainting Clapboard Homes and Triple-Deckers Through New England Seasons

Wood clapboard is as New England as it gets. From colonial homes on the North Shore to the triple-deckers that line streets in Dorchester, Somerville and beyond, Greater Boston is full of painted wood siding. It looks wonderful when it is fresh, but our weather is hard on it: humid summers, nor'easters, heavy snow, and months when temperatures swing above and below freezing. Here is how we approach repainting clapboard homes and triple-deckers so the paint lasts through New England seasons.

Key takeaways

• Most peeling on clapboard comes from moisture getting behind the paint, so fix the water source first.
• Plan exterior painting for late spring through early fall, and always follow the label's minimum temperature.
• Triple-deckers need extra planning for access, porches and coordinating with every unit.
• Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, which changes how prep must be done.

Why paint fails on New England clapboard

Clapboard is designed to shed water, with each board overlapping the one below. When paint fails, moisture is usually involved:

• Peeling down to bare wood often means water is getting into the wall from behind, from leaky gutters, failed flashing, gaps around windows, or moisture from inside the house.
• Cracking and "alligatoring" often shows up on older homes with many layers of paint that can no longer flex with the wood.
• Blistering can come from painting in direct hot sun or over damp wood.
• Mildew grows on shady, damp sides of the house.

Winter adds stress. Snow piled against the lower boards, ice dams at the eaves and water that freezes in cracks all work against the paint. A new coat over the same problems will fail the same way.

Timing your project around Boston weather

Exterior paint needs a dry surface, a dry forecast during drying and temperatures within the range printed on the label, which often includes overnight lows. Water freezes at 32°F, and most paints need temperatures well above that to cure properly, so check the product data sheet for its minimum.

• Spring: a good time for inspections, estimates and repairs. Wood that spent the winter wet needs time to dry.
• Summer: the most reliable weather, though hot afternoons and direct sun can make paint dry too fast. Painting a wall after the sun has moved off it helps.
• Early fall: often ideal, with mild days and lower humidity, but watch for cold nights, early dew and shorter days.

Because the season is short, schedules fill up. Getting a quote early gives you the best choice of dates.

Prep: the most important part of the job

1. Repair first. Replace rotted clapboards and trim, fix gutters and flashing and address any leaks.
2. Wash the house to remove dirt, chalking and mildew, then let it dry.
3. Scrape and sand loose and failing paint back to a sound edge, following lead-safe practices on older homes.
4. Prime bare wood and repairs with a primer suited to exterior wood.
5. Caulk the right joints, such as where trim meets siding and around windows. Do not seal the horizontal laps between clapboards, which need to drain and breathe.
6. Apply finish coats according to the label's coverage and recoat times.

Triple-deckers: special considerations

The triple-decker is one of the region's signature building types, and painting one is a bigger project than it looks from the sidewalk.

Access and safety

Three stories of siding usually call for tall ladders, staging or lifts, and tight lots can make setup a challenge. Neighbors' yards and driveways may be affected, so let them know your schedule.

Porches

Stacked front and rear porches are a big part of the job. Railings, balusters, ceilings, columns and floors all need prep and paint, and porch floors take a different product than siding.

Coordinating with every unit

Whether the building is owner-occupied, rented or a condo association, everyone needs notice. Tenants may need to move items off porches and keep windows closed while work is under way, and condo associations usually need to approve the plan and the color scheme.

Older paint

Many triple-deckers were built long before 1978. The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Program covers paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing, and Mass.gov says a licensed lead-safe renovation contractor must be used for renovating, repairing or painting pre-1978 homes in Massachusetts. Ask about licensing and containment before work starts.

Picking colors for clapboard

Clapboard homes in Greater Boston wear everything from crisp white with black shutters to deep blue, sage green, soft gray and buttery yellow. A few tips:

• Choose a body, trim and accent color together, and look at how they work with your roof and any brick or stone.
• Paint large sample boards and check them in morning and afternoon light.
• Darker colors can show fading sooner on sunny walls, so ask about the product's exterior durability.
• If you are in a historic district or a condo association, check what approvals are needed before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a clapboard house be repainted?

It depends on exposure, prep, the paint used and how well water is kept out. Watch for peeling, chalking and bare wood, and touch up problem spots early.

Can I paint in October in Boston?

Sometimes, on mild, dry days that stay above the label's minimum temperature through drying. Shorter days and cold nights make late-season work riskier.

Should I replace clapboard with vinyl instead of painting?

That is a personal choice, but well-maintained wood clapboard can last a very long time. If you are in a historic district, check the rules before changing siding materials.

Do I need to strip all the old paint?

Usually not. Loose and failing paint needs to come off, but sound paint can stay. Full stripping is a bigger job and, on older homes, must follow lead-safe rules.

Ready to get started?

Whether it is a colonial in need of fresh trim or a triple-decker due for a full repaint, we plan the work around New England weather. Get your free painting quote from 1-800 PRO PAINTER.

Photo: Banx Photography / Pexels