An estimated 85,000 occupied housing units in Baltimore contain dangerous lead hazards, according to a 2022 Abell Foundation report, reflecting the city’s exceptionally old housing stock where roughly 42 percent of pre-1978 homes likely harbor significant lead contamination. Baltimore’s distinctive brick rowhouse architecture dates to the 1800s, when porous “salmon” bricks were coated regularly due to their water absorption, a practice that layered decades of paint directly onto masonry that now requires careful preparation before any new coating. The city’s humid summers and winter freeze-thaw cycles accelerate moisture intrusion behind paint on older brick, making breathable masonry primers and proper surface preparation critical steps that distinguish experienced local contractors from cut-rate competitors.
Baltimore homeowners tend to prioritize painters who understand the specific demands of historic masonry and who carry lead-safe certification, given the legal obligations tied to rentals and the health risks present in occupied pre-1978 stock. Experience with the region’s particular climate window is also valued, as the combination of summer humidity and short dry periods between fall rains limits the weeks available for quality exterior work.
Sheldon and Sons
Founded: 1972
Address: 3220 Hunting Tweed Drive, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Phone: (410) 654-6000
Website: https://sheldonandsons.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, drywall and plaster repair, wallpaper installation and removal, pressure washing, deck maintenance, millwork finishing, cabinet refinishing, siding repair
Products Used: Not specified
Sheldon and Sons has operated in the Baltimore area since 1972, accumulating a project portfolio that includes institutional work such as the National Aquarium and the Washington Memorial alongside their core residential client base. The company covers Baltimore, Carroll, Howard, and Harford counties, and backs all exterior projects with a 100 percent guarantee that is unusual in the local market.
Paint Perfection
Founded: Not specified
Address: 1335 Richardson St, Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (667) 208-0436
Website: https://paintperfectionmaryland.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, commercial painting, cabinet refinishing, wallpaper removal, drywall repair
Products Used: Sherwin-Williams (Super Paint, ProClassic, Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel)
Paint Perfection is licensed under Maryland Home Improvement Contractor number 148056 and limits its product selection to Sherwin-Williams paints, using Super Paint for walls, ProClassic for wood trim, and Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel specifically for cabinet work. This product-specific approach is notable in a market where many painters treat brand selection as interchangeable.
Klappenberger and Son
Founded: 1989
Address: 681 Arleigh Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146
Phone: (410) 647-5700
Website: https://klappenbergerandson.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, power washing, wallpaper removal, deck and fence sealing and staining, lead paint encapsulation, handyman services
Products Used: Not specified
Founded in 1989 by David Klappenberger, the company has completed painting work at federal institutions including the Pentagon, the Smithsonian, and the White House, alongside its residential and commercial client work across the Atlantic Seaboard. One distinguishing capability is lead paint encapsulation offered as a standalone service, which addresses a specific need in Baltimore’s heavily pre-1978 housing market without requiring full abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does interior painting cost in Baltimore?
A: Interior painting in Baltimore typically runs between $2.00 and $4.00 per square foot for standard rooms. The presence of plaster walls in older rowhouses, detailed Victorian trim, or ceiling heights above nine feet generally pushes costs toward the upper range.
Q: Are Baltimore painting contractors required to handle lead paint differently in older homes?
A: Yes. Federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting rules require contractors disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes to use lead-safe work practices. Maryland state law adds additional requirements for rental properties, including mandatory disclosure and compliance measures when children under six reside in the unit. Homeowners should verify that any contractor working on a pre-1978 home holds current EPA RRP certification.
Q: Is brick painting a good option for Baltimore rowhouses?
A: Painted brick is historically consistent with Baltimore’s rowhouse tradition, and many owners choose it to refresh weathered facades or unify exterior color. The key consideration is using a breathable masonry primer and elastomeric or vapor-permeable top coat suited to the city’s humidity, because trapping moisture behind a sealed surface accelerates deterioration. Once brick is painted, the coating requires ongoing maintenance.
Baltimore’s rowhouse-dominated streetscapes and large volume of pre-1978 housing create a painting market where technical knowledge of masonry prep, lead compliance, and climate-appropriate materials separates experienced contractors from generalist handymen.