Written from the field by Groovy Hues Painting of Philadelphia — 25 years painting Greater Philadelphia, OSHA 30 · BBB Accredited · PA HIC #PA189587, 5.0 rated across 1,100+ reviews.
Philadelphia's rowhomes, twins, and trinities are part of what makes the city beautiful — and they paint a little differently than a suburban single. Shared walls, century-old masonry, decorative cornices, and decades of street grime all change the prep. Here's how we get a rowhome front ready so the finish actually lasts.
1. A serious wash comes first
City exteriors collect exhaust film, pollen, mildew, and grime that paint simply won't stick to. A thorough pressure washing — at the right pressure for the surface — strips that layer so new coatings bond to clean material, not dirt. On older masonry we dial pressure down to avoid damaging soft brick or mortar.
2. Repair the masonry and substrate
Many Philly rowhomes are brick, stucco, or formstone. Before paint, we look for:
- Cracked or failing stucco that needs patching.
- Deteriorated mortar joints (repointing is masonry work, but it has to happen first).
- Spalling brick and moisture intrusion — paint over a moisture problem and it will peel no matter how good the product is.
Pick a masonry-appropriate coating
Brick and stucco need breathable, alkali-resistant coatings so trapped moisture can escape. The wrong film seals water in and blisters. Matching coating to substrate is a core part of our spec.
3. Careful old-paint practices on pre-1978 homes
A huge share of Philadelphia's housing stock predates 1978, which means older layers may contain lead paint. Disturbing it carelessly is a real health hazard. Reputable crews follow careful, dust-contained work practices — containment, careful surface prep, and clean-up — to protect your family and neighbors. This is one of the biggest reasons rowhome exteriors are a job for professionals, not a weekend DIY. (It's also a cost driver that AI painting estimates completely miss.)
4. Scrape, sand, caulk, prime
After washing and repairs, the unglamorous work earns the finish: scraping loose paint, sanding edges smooth, caulking gaps around trim, windows, and shutters, and spot- or full-priming bare and repaired areas. This is the layer nobody sees and the one that determines whether you're repainting in 4 years or 10.
5. Protect the block
Rowhomes sit inches from sidewalks, neighbors, and parked cars. Good prep includes meticulous masking and protection of windows, walkways, and adjacent properties — being a good neighbor is part of the job.
Leave the prep to a crew that knows these homes
We've painted rowhomes across Philadelphia and the surrounding neighborhoods, and we know their quirks. Request a free estimate or call (267) 467-2640 for an exterior that's prepped to last.
