Painting a listed building or conservation area home in Fife

Is your house listed?

Search your address on the Historic Environment Scotland portal. Listed buildings in Scotland are graded A, B or C. All three are protected inside and out, not only the front.

Many more houses are in a conservation area. These have fewer restrictions, but some have extra controls on the outside of the house.

When you usually need consent

Like for like repainting, in the same colour and type of paint, does not usually need listed building consent. Changes usually do. Ask Fife Council before you start if you plan to:

• Change the colour of the outside walls, doors or windows.
• Paint stone that has never been painted.
• Strip original finishes such as limewash or distemper.
• Remove or replace original windows, doors, panelling or cornice.
• Change from a traditional paint to a modern plastic one on the outside.

Paint that suits old buildings

Historic buildings were built to breathe. Lime harling and mortar let moisture out through the surface. Modern plastic masonry paint traps it, and the harl blows or the inside goes damp.

Limewash, mineral silicate paint or breathable claypaints are the usual choices. Linseed oil paint is excellent on old timber windows and doors.

Colours in the East Neuk

Traditional harled houses in the fishing villages are white, cream, ochre, soft pinks and greys, with darker doors and window surrounds. Margins around windows are often picked out in a contrasting colour. Following the local tradition makes consent far more likely.

Get it right first time

Take photographs before you start. Ask the council conservation officer early, they are usually helpful. Use a decorator who knows traditional materials. Mistakes on a listed building can mean being asked to put it back at your own cost.