Service
Period property decorators in Bury St Edmunds
Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces, timber-framed cottages and listed buildings decorated with the materials and patience they need.
Old buildings need a different approach
As period property decorators in Bury St Edmunds we work in a town full of old buildings, from the streets around the Abbey Gardens and St Edmundsbury Cathedral out to the timber-framed houses of the surrounding villages. These buildings were made with lime plaster, soft brick and timber, and they are meant to breathe.
Modern vinyl and acrylic paints can seal that moisture in, which leads to flaking paint and damp patches. So the first job is always to look at what the walls are made of and what has been put on them before.
Breathable paints and traditional finishes
Where the building needs it we use breathable finishes such as limewash, mineral paints and clay-based paints, which let moisture pass through. On exposed beams we advise whether cleaning, a light treatment or simply leaving them alone is the right choice.
Original joinery is worth keeping. Sash windows, panelled doors, shutters and staircases are prepared gently, with careful filling rather than heavy sanding, so that the mouldings stay crisp. See door and window painting.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
If your home is listed or in a conservation area, check with the local council before changing exterior colours or materials. In Bury St Edmunds that is West Suffolk Council. We are used to working within those limits and can talk through like-for-like repainting when we visit.
For the outside of older houses, including colourwashed and limewashed walls, see our exterior painting page.
What period decorating costs
Period work usually takes longer than the same room in a modern house, because the preparation is slower and the materials are specialist. Our day rate is an indicative £200–£280 per day (labour only), and we price each period property individually after a free visit. The general guide is on the pricing page.
Period property decorating: common questions
Why can't I use ordinary emulsion on lime plaster?
Lime plaster needs to release moisture. Standard vinyl emulsion forms a film that can trap it, which may cause the paint to blister and the plaster to deteriorate. Breathable paints avoid this.
Do I need permission to repaint a listed building?
Like-for-like redecoration is often fine, but changing colours or materials on a listed building may need consent. Check with the local council before work is booked.
Can you match an existing historic colour?
In most cases, yes. We can have colours matched from a sample and will test a small area first so you can see it in place.
Related services
Interior painting
Walls, ceilings and woodwork painted properly, in homes you are still living in. Careful preparation, clean lines and a tidy house at the end of every day.
Interior paintingExterior painting
Masonry, render, fascias, soffits, windows and doors, prepared and painted to stand up to wind, rain and summer sun.
Exterior paintingWhere we do this work
Ready for a free, no-obligation quote?
Send us a message with a few details and photos. We will arrange a visit and give you a written price.