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Contractor Spotlight A Historic Renovation

20 May, 2021

Front of historic building

When it comes to painting historic homes, pros know they will require special attention and skill. From matching colors to coats of paint that might have been applied years or even centuries earlier to fixing difficult substrate wear-and-tear issues so the paint can properly adhere without failure, homeowners must place a ton of trust in the pros who bring the homes back to their former glory. This was certainly true for this grand beauty built in the 1830s. The home was standing just north of where Major General George Pickett began his historic charge on July 3,1863, at the culmination of the battle of Gettysburg. Today the house is surrounded by quieter times, but last year, it was due for a sprucing up. The homeowners trusted the job to the capable hands of Ausherman Painting in York County, Pennsylvania.

Ausherman Painting isn’t the new kid on the block. The company was founded by Mike Ausherman in 1979 and has been serving York, Gettysburg and Mechanicsburg with quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction for 40 years. “Quality craftmanship means not cutting corners on surface preparation, using only the best materials, and providing the proper application of coats,” is promised on the homepage of the company’s website. Mike’s son, Zach grew up in the business working summers during high school and college. After he got his business and political science degree, he went to work in Washington DC as a lobbyist. Five years ago, he happily returned Ausherman Painting, taking over the business four years ago. Ausherman Painting splits its time between high-end residential and commercial interior and exterior painting. With a team of 15, the company specializes in older homes and is also proficient in cabinet refinishing, limewashing and other specialty services.

The job was large in scope and included plenty of cleaning, prep and painting on many different substrates. Luckily, 32-year painting veteran, senior crew leader and master craftsman Jody Harlacher headed the crew.

Before any painting could begin, the all-important task of color selection had to take place. The homeowners wanted the new paint to match a color scheme from the home’s history. Harlacher was able to match the Benjamin Moore Aura paint to the colors previously on the house: Red Barn, Rockwood Shutter Green, Rockwood Terra Cotta, Messenger Bag, Old Redwood, Ginger Rood and Ivory Coast. “Homes like this deserve the best paint available in our market. We've used Aura multiple times, and it outperforms others,” said Ausherman.

Once the colors were matched, they were ready to begin the project. Four painters worked for 13 days to prep and paint the exterior, including railings, doors, a small gable end, decorative fascia, soffit, siding, windows and doors and door surround.

The homeowners were so pleased with the work that they asked Ausherman back this past winter to touch up multiple rooms inside the home. Proof once again that historic homes require a professional’s deft touch.

 

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