St. Louis sits at the intersection of two major climate zones, producing hot and humid summers alongside cold winters with freeze-thaw cycles that stress exterior paint films. The city’s extensive inventory of brick and masonry construction means that painters here work with substrates that require masonry-specific primers and coatings that allow moisture vapor to pass outward without blistering. Many of the older neighborhoods, including Shaw, Tower Grove, and Soulard, feature late 19th and early 20th century homes where lead paint testing and careful preparation work are standard requirements before any new coating goes down.
St. Louis homeowners researching painters pay close attention to experience with older homes, EPA lead-safe certification, and the ability to match historic trim colors. The city’s strong civic pride in its architectural heritage means contractors who understand period-appropriate finishes for Victorian and Craftsman structures have a distinct advantage in the local market.
Herbster Hellweg Painting Co.
Founded: 1941
Address: 51 Triad South Dr, St. Charles, MO 63304
Phone: (636) 720-1700
Website: https://herbsterhellweg.com
Services: Commercial painting, residential painting, industrial painting, multi-family painting, epoxy flooring, equipment painting, retail division painting
Products Used: Not specified
Herbster Hellweg Painting Co. has operated continuously since 1941, making it one of the oldest active painting contractors in the Midwest. The family-owned firm grew from regional roots into a national commercial contractor, with a retail division that has completed store builds for American Eagle, Dairy Queen, Papa Johns, and Hooters of America. Despite that national reach, they maintain their operations base just outside St. Louis and remain a go-to contractor for large commercial and industrial projects throughout the metropolitan area.
Kennedy Painting
Founded: 1998
Address: 11678 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126
Phone: (314) 952-0156
Website: https://stlouishousepainting.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, deck staining, wallpaper removal, drywall installation and repair, popcorn ceiling removal, plaster repair, faux painting, decorative painting, fence staining, pressure washing
Products Used: Porter Paints, Sherwin-Williams
Kennedy Painting was founded in 1998 by Sean Kennedy and has remained a family-owned company focused on residential clients throughout the St. Louis metro area. The company never uses subcontractors, meaning every project is completed by company-trained and company-supervised employees. Kennedy Painting provides all clients with upfront pricing and a written no-questions-asked two-year warranty, and carries a 4.9-star rating with BBB accreditation at A+ standing.
SNL Painting Inc.
Founded: 2003
Address: 1600 Boones Lick Rd, Saint Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 724-6829
Website: https://snlpainting.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, commercial painting, carpentry, drywall repair, wallpapering, faux finishing, power washing, deck and fence staining, wood finishing
Products Used: Not specified
SNL Painting was formed in 2003 by Nick LoGrasso and Art Snarzyk, with Nick continuing as sole owner since 2012. The company holds both BBB and Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) accreditation, a dual certification that signals adherence to professional standards beyond basic licensing. Their capability in faux finishing and texture matching is particularly relevant in St. Louis’s historic neighborhoods, where replicated finishes on plaster walls are frequently needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does interior painting cost in St. Louis?
A: Interior painting in St. Louis typically runs between $2.50 and $4.50 per square foot for standard residential rooms. A full interior repaint of a 1,800-square-foot home with standard ceiling heights usually falls in the $3,500 to $7,000 range. Homes with high ceilings, detailed plaster work, or extensive trim add to the total.
Q: Do St. Louis painters need special certification to work on older homes?
A: Yes. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and EPA regulations require contractors to hold Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) certification when disturbing surfaces in these homes. Homeowners should ask for proof of this certification before allowing work on pre-1978 construction, as it protects both occupants and workers.
Q: How does St. Louis’s freeze-thaw cycle affect exterior paint jobs?
A: The repeated expansion and contraction of exterior substrates during winter freeze-thaw events puts stress on paint films, particularly on wood and older masonry. Contractors working in St. Louis typically apply flexible, high-adhesion primers and topcoats rated for temperature cycling, and recommend timing new exterior paint projects to avoid application in cold weather below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
St. Louis’s painting market is shaped by a city that takes its architectural inheritance seriously. The neighborhoods that survived the mid-century clearance eras retain remarkable building character, and the painters who understand how to maintain that character, working with brick, plaster, and period-appropriate finishes, serve a customer base that recognizes and values the difference.