Living in Trucksville, just outside Wilkes-Barre, means being surrounded by homes with real history. When we decided to refresh our old farmhouse, we knew one thing right away — we didn’t want to erase its character. We wanted to protect it and bring it back to life.
Over the years, the paint had started to fade. The siding looked tired. Inside, the walls had small cracks and scuffs from decades of everyday life. It wasn’t falling apart — it just needed attention.
What We Discovered About Painting an Older Farmhouse
Older homes in Northeast Pennsylvania aren’t like new construction. Ours had:
- Layers of old paint underneath
- Aging wood trim
- Small plaster cracks
- Weather wear from NEPA winters
- Sun exposure from wide open property
We quickly realized that prep work mattered more than the actual color. Scraping, sanding, patching, and priming were essential before any fresh paint could go on. Rushing it would’ve meant doing it all over again in a year or two.
Choosing Colors That Still Felt Like “Us”
We didn’t want to modernize the farmhouse too much. The goal was to keep that classic look that fits so well in the Back Mountain area.
For the exterior, we leaned toward a soft, warm neutral with crisp white trim — something timeless that still felt fresh. Inside, we chose lighter tones to brighten rooms that didn’t get much natural light. The new paint actually made the original wood floors and trim stand out even more.
Protecting the Exterior From NEPA Weather
If you live in Luzerne County, you know how tough the seasons can be. Snow, ice, humidity, and summer sun all wear down exterior surfaces.
A proper exterior paint system gave us more than just a new look — it gave us protection against moisture, rot, and UV damage. Especially with older wood siding, using the right primer and high-quality paint made a huge difference.
Respecting the Home’s Character
One thing we were careful about was not stripping away what made the farmhouse special.
- We repaired original trim instead of replacing it.
- We patched plaster where possible.
- We kept the layout and architectural details intact.
The fresh paint didn’t change the soul of the house — it highlighted it.
The Result
Repainting our farmhouse in Trucksville wasn’t just a cosmetic update. It felt like we were preserving a piece of local history while making it comfortable for the next chapter of our lives.
Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint isn’t about making something new. It’s about honoring what’s already there — and making sure it lasts.