Old rowhomes and duplexes in Pittsburgh need careful prep and honest work to look their best for years.
Pittsburgh's housing stock is old. Many homes near Butler and Pine Street go back to the early 1900s. They have original wood siding and layers of lead paint underneath. That means peeling, chalking, and cracked paint are common, especially after a wet Pittsburgh winter. We've also seen flood-related moisture staining in basements and first floors. These are near the Allegheny River and need sealing before anything else happens. Waiting makes it worse. Bare wood soaks up moisture, and small cracks let water behind the siding where it can rot the boards. Humidity off the river runs high in summer. This slows paint cure time and raises blistering risk on metal siding along Butler Street. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes painting work requires skill. You need skill in surface prep and material choice to hold up over time[1]. We handle the prep right so your paint job actually lasts.
Old wood clapboard loses paint fast once it starts cracking. We scrape, prime, and seal it so it holds up to the next winter.
Many Pittsburgh homes pre-date 1978. We follow EPA lead-safe rules so scraping and sanding don't put your family at risk.
Flood history along Pine Creek leaves moisture marks on walls and ceilings. We seal with stain-blocking primer before repainting.
Rowhomes and duplexes often need a full refresh inside and out. We plan the job around your schedule and budget.
Gray Pittsburgh winters push a lot of folks to repaint indoors. We keep your home clean and protected while we work.
Homes near Pleasant Avenue often have older aluminum or vinyl siding that oxidizes. We treat it right before painting over it.
A small crack or peeling patch doesn't stay small for long in this river valley climate. Moisture gets in fast, and repairs get pricier the longer you wait. We show up when we say we will and do the job right the first time. That's how we've stayed in business for 35 years.
Call us for a free estimate on your Pittsburgh home. We'll walk the property with you and give you an honest plan for the painting work.
We keep the process simple so you always know what's happening.
We come out, look at the surfaces, and check for lead paint or moisture issues. You get an honest estimate on the spot.
We scrape, sand, and seal problem areas first. Your furniture, floors, and landscaping get covered before any paint goes on.
We apply quality paint with careful technique, then clean up fully before we leave. You're left with a finished job, not a mess.
Price depends on the size of your home, the condition of the surfaces, and whether lead-safe prep is needed. Older rowhomes near Butler Street often need more scraping and priming than newer homes near Pleasant Avenue. We give you a clear, upfront number before any work starts, and we don't add surprise fees later. Painters bring skilled labor and material knowledge to every job. That's part of why proper prep takes time and costs more on older homes[1].
I recently had this company paint the exterior of my home along with two garages. The owner Bob was easy to talk and accommodating. The real star was Mark who did most of the painting. He did an excellent job, was courteous, was promptly on time and cleaned up after himself. Both painters on sight were so respectful and worked non stop. I highly recommend from my experience.
Bob and team did an excellent job painting both the interior and exterior of the home. They arrived on time and we’re very professional. I would highly recommend them for any painting projects you have.
We recently had USNER PAINTING paint our four story fire escape. They have painted it in the past and did a great job so we expected nothing less and they delivered again. The restoration engineer who worked on our job was impressed with their work and recommended them for another job he was working on.
They completed the job in a timely manner and left the work area clean when they were finished.
Jeff Wilson
Ben and his co workers were very attentive to the work that needed to be done. They went above and beyond moving alot of boxes and furniture to the middle of room and covering everything before painting and put everything back and cleaned up when finished. They also did other jobs that I didn't even think about doing but definitely need to be done. They made a big improvement in my attic and basement.
Bob and Ben did a great job painting the front of our house.
Bob Usner responded almost immediately to my online inquiry, gave me a fair quote based on pictures I sent, his son Ben came out and did the work, quite excellently. Ben was thorough, respectful, professional. We are very happy with the results and would use Usner Painting again when we need to. Highly recommended!
We are so glad we found Bob Usner and his painting company. We asked Bob to paint the interior of our newly purchased home. Josh and the painting crew did a phenomenal job not only painting, but with some wall repait, too. The crew worked long hours to make sure the job was completed on time (before flooring contractors arrived), even though we expanded the scope of work a couple of times. You couldn't work with a nicer group of people. We will definitely call them again for any future painting needs.
Can't say enough good things about Bob & Ben. They gave a competitive price estimate. They were reliable and started and finished the job on schedule. The crew was great to work with and their work and attention to detail was fantastic. We had some very old wallpaper in a bedroom and hallway that had to be removed. As they started to strip it, they discovered it was applied over a previous incorrectly hung layer which made the removal very labor intensive. The crew did a fantastic job and was able to remove both layers and restore the walls to their original condition.
Highly recommend Bob & Ben Usner Painting
I highly recommend Bob Usner for any and all paint jobs. He previously did an excellent job on some exterior paint work and just completed an entire interior repaint of my house. He and his crew far exceeded my expectations. I have 100+ year old house and the plaster was definitely showing its age. His crew did way more extensive work repairing walls and ceilings than I could have ever expected. He used top quality paint and detailed attention was paid to its application. His estimate was more than fair, and he stuck to it – there are no surprises with Bob. His crew cleaned up at the end of every day, they were polite and conscientious while in my home, and they were very mindful of my pets. In my opinion, if you are looking for a local business to support, you won’t find anyone better in the Pittsburgh area. Bob will always be my go-to for any painting I need.
Here are answers to what Pittsburgh homeowners ask us most.
Most jobs run between $1,800 and $8,500 depending on size and condition. Older homes with lead paint layers or moisture damage cost more due to extra prep. We always give a free, honest estimate before starting.
Most interior jobs take two to four days, and exterior jobs take three to seven days. Weather plays a big role in exterior timing, especially with Pittsburgh's humid summers. We'll give you a clear timeline during your estimate.
DIY can work for small touch-ups, but older Pittsburgh homes often have lead paint that requires certified handling. We're EPA lead-safe certified, so scraping and sanding get done safely. That protects your family and avoids county complaints.
Exterior paint usually lasts 7 to 10 years in this climate, less on homes facing direct river humidity. Interior paint can last 10 years or more with normal wear. We can check your home's current paint condition during a free visit.
Spring and fall fill up fast in Pittsburgh, so booking early helps. We work seven days a week to fit more homes in during busy seasons. Call us and we'll find the soonest slot that works.
Look for peeling, chalking, cracked caulk, or fading color on the exterior. Inside, watch for water stains, yellowing, or walls that feel rough or flaky. Any of these mean it's time to call us.
Yes, we're certified for lead-safe work required on most pre-1978 homes in Pittsburgh. We follow EPA rules for scraping and sanding so your family stays safe. This matters a lot in neighborhoods like Butler and Pine Street.
