Painting in Somerville, MA: A Guide for Triple-Decker Owners, Landlords and Condo Associations

The triple-decker is built around stacked porches. Most have a porch for each unit on the front, and many have another set on the back, connected by stairs. On top of that come a deep cornice at the roofline, bay windows running up the facade and siding that may be original clapboard, wood shingle or later vinyl or aluminum.

Because of that, the scope of a triple-decker paint job is driven by porches and height more than by wall area. Each porch has a floor, ceiling, columns, railings and balusters, and each element wears differently. The top porch shelters the ones below, but it also sheds water onto them. Cornices and the upper bays need staging or tall ladders, which affects planning and access on a narrow lot.

If the siding has been covered with vinyl, the painted surfaces may be limited to porches, trim, cornice and windows. That can still be a substantial project, and it is often where the building looks most tired from the street.

In a condo building, the exterior and shared spaces belong to everyone, so decisions need to be made together. Before asking for estimates, it helps for the association to agree on what is in scope (all porches, the whole exterior, the common stairwell), set a color direction and name one person as the main contact.

Color decisions go faster when the association looks at two or three complete schemes rather than individual chips. Paint large sample swatches on the building where everyone can see them from the street. If the building is in one of Somerville's local historic districts, check with the City of Somerville about review before finalizing exterior colors or changing details.

Also plan for access. Owners may need to clear porches, move bikes and grills and keep windows closed on certain days. A shared calendar or group message keeps everyone informed while the work moves from one side of the building to the next.

With a large rental market and many leases turning over around the same time of year, Somerville landlords often need a unit repainted in a short window between move-out and move-in. The typical scope includes patching nail holes and wall damage, repairing any drywall or plaster cracks, repainting walls and ceilings and refreshing trim and doors.

Planning ahead makes that window easier to hit. Book the estimate before the current tenant leaves, decide on a standard wall color and finish you can reuse across units, and note any ceiling stains from leaks above, which need a stain-blocking primer. Kitchens with tired cabinets can sometimes be updated with cabinet painting in the same visit, which is far less disruptive than replacing them.

Finish choice matters in rentals. Flat paint hides wall imperfections well but marks easily, while eggshell or satin wipes clean more easily in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is a common choice for trim and doors.

Somerville shares the eastern Massachusetts climate: freeze and thaw in winter, a wet spring and humid summers. Most exterior paints need temperatures above a minimum, often near 50 degrees, while they cure, and should not be applied with rain or heavy dew on the way. Exterior work is usually scheduled from late spring through early fall.

Density adds its own twist. Side walls that face a neighbor a few feet away may never get direct sun, so they dry slowly and can grow mildew. Street-facing walls and top floors take the most sun and wind. On a tight lot, work is usually planned one elevation at a time based on access, parking and how quickly each wall dries in the morning.

Interior work can be done any time of year. Many owners book exterior painting for the warm months and use the colder months for unit repaints and drywall repair.

Most Somerville buildings were built long before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned for residential use, so older layers inside and out may contain lead. Intact lead paint is generally not a hazard by itself, but scraping, sanding and demolition create dust and chips that are dangerous, especially for young children and pregnant women.

Federal EPA rules require contractors who disturb paint in pre-1978 housing to follow lead-safe work practices. The Massachusetts Lead Law adds requirements for homes where children under six live, and it applies to rental units as well as owner-occupied homes. Landlords in particular should review current guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and ask any painter how they handle containment, cleanup and disposal.

Ask for a written scope that lists every surface, the prep for each, the number of coats and the primer and paint category, such as acrylic latex for siding and a floor coating for porch decks. On a multi-unit building, ask how the work will be sequenced so residents can still use entries and stairs.

Also ask how repairs uncovered during the job are handled, who will be the point of contact and how the work area is cleaned up each day. Blessed Partners & Paint Group serves Somerville and nearby cities like Cambridge and Arlington with exterior painting, interior painting, cabinet painting, drywall repair and commercial painting. Call or text (781) 420-3172 to set up a free estimate.