Protecting and restoring the architectural heritage of Washington's oldest incorporated town. From 19th-century Victorians to modern Puget Sound view homes, we are 98388's trusted experts.
Incorporated in 1854, Steilacoom holds the proud title of Washington state's first incorporated town. With its incredible views of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the nearby islands, this quiet coastal community is a living piece of Pacific Northwest history.
At Coles Painting, we understand that working on homes in the 98388 zip code requires an elevated level of care and expertise. Whether you are preserving the intricate interior millwork of an 1890s Victorian in the historic downtown or weatherproofing a modern coastal build near Sunnyside Beach, our technicians have the knowledge to protect your property against the coastal elements.
Steilacoom boasts an incredible concentration of distinct residential styles spanning over a century. Treating these homes correctly requires specialized knowledge of high-end and historical building materials:
Found clustered near the historic downtown core, featuring delicate gingerbread trim, wrap-around porches, and original plaster interiors.
Our Approach:
We adhere strictly to EPA Lead-Safe guidelines to safely prep these older exteriors. Inside, we carefully repair failing plaster with fiberglass mesh tape and use stain-blocking oil primers to prevent tannin bleed from century-old antique woodwork.
Homes situated along the bluffs facing the water, designed to maximize views of the Sound and the Narrows, often with extensive decking.
Our Approach:
Intense natural light reflecting off the water exposes interior wall imperfections. We use Level 5 drywall finishing and glare-reducing premium acrylics. Externally, we apply highly durable elastomeric coatings to protect against wind-driven moisture.
Steilacoom's prime coastal location means your home is in the direct path of severe marine weather. The combination of intense afternoon sun, high wind-driven rain from the Tacoma Narrows, and heavy salt air is relentless.
This extreme exposure rapidly degrades standard paints. The salt acts as an abrasive, breaking down pigment binders, while moisture forces its way into tiny cracks in historic siding, leading to rapid peeling and hidden wood rot.
"We own an older historic home near downtown Steilacoom. The original exterior woodwork was starting to fail due to the weather off the Sound, and the interior plaster needed serious attention. Coles Painting was incredibly professional. They handled the lead-safe prep perfectly, restored our plaster walls, and the exterior looks flawless. They respected our property and the town's heritage."
— Eleanor & Mark T., Steilacoom Residents
Painting an exterior in a coastal environment is not a weekend DIY project. Failing to properly remove salt residue before applying new paint guarantees it will peel within a year. Furthermore, scraping a 120-year-old home without Lead-Safe containment puts your family and neighbors at severe risk. Let our certified professionals handle the demanding prep work safely.
When hiring a contractor to protect your historic or waterfront property, trust and accountability are everything. Here is how our professional crew compares to the average "guy with a brush."
| Service Feature | Coles Painting | Generic Painters |
|---|---|---|
| Floor & Furniture Protection | White-Glove: Heavy Paper & Plastic | Canvas tarps only (Spill risk) |
| Historic Home Prep | Lead-Safe Certified & Plaster Repair | Paints over failing plaster |
| Paint Quality | Premium Marine/Low-VOC (Sherwin/BM) | Cheap Contractor Grade |
| Insurance Status | Fully Licensed & Insured in WA | Often uninsured (You are liable) |
| Final Walkthrough | Manager Inspection Included | "Tail-light Guarantee" |
Yes. As Washington's oldest incorporated town, Steilacoom has many homes built well before 1978. Our team is fully EPA Lead-Safe certified. We take great care to safely scrape, encapsulate, and contain dangerous paint chips, protecting your property and family during preparation.
Homes overlooking the water in Steilacoom receive intense saltwater spray and high winds. We perform a thorough neutralizing wash and utilize marine-grade 100% acrylic paints and rust-inhibitive primers to ensure the finish withstands the harsh coastal elements without prematurely peeling.
Absolutely. Older historic homes in the downtown area often have cracked or failing plaster. We use fiberglass mesh tape and setting-type joint compounds to restore these walls to a flawless, smooth finish before painting, ensuring the repair lasts for years.
Yes. We offer complete factory-finish cabinet refinishing for kitchens, bathrooms, and high-end built-in libraries. We remove the doors, spray them in a controlled environment, and carefully paint the boxes in your home using low-VOC enamels for a flawless, modern look.
We are in the 98388 area daily. Secure your free quote today!
(253) 478-2745100% Satisfaction Guarantee
We take pride in serving the beautiful, historic communities of Washington state. Whether you're painting a classic 19th-century home in Steilacoom or protecting a view estate near Sunnyside Beach, Coles Painting brings professional marine-grade precision, deep local knowledge, and unmatched customer care to every project.