Traditionally, for buildings of particular eras, certain types of colors are more appropriate than others. In downtown districts, the buildings themselves can provide a built-in color scheme through the natural color of their materials.
Downtown Zanesville is comprised primarily of masonry buildings. Brick masonry colors can range from light orange-red to dark red. Brick can also be found in lighter yellow or darker brown colors. Stone or concrete masonry can range from cool grey colors to richer cream or white colors. Colors that are added should complement the character of the individual building, the neighboring buildings, as well as the downtown area as a whole.
Color can be introduced in downtown areas in a variety of ways. It can be through the building material itself, through paint colors added to storefronts, window trim and doors, and through attachments to buildings such as awnings and signage. Traditionally, different styles of architecture and periods of building favored certain combinations of trim colors. The following groupings are provided as an initial guide to color choices.
(a) Early Victorian (1830 - 1870). Structures built prior to 1870 used light earth tones such as grays, yellows, and tans, as well as light reds and light browns. Trim colors would have also been light earth tones compatible with the natural brick-red walls of many of the buildings. Typically, no more than three colors would have been used on any buildings of this type.
(b) Late Victorian/Italianate (1870 - 1910). After 1870, Italianate commercial structures typical of the late Victorian period added noticeably darker colors. Greens, darker reds, orange-reds; and olives could be found. Almost always, the trim was painted in a darker color to complement the lighter body color of the building. Light colors, sometimes white, would be used to highlight special architectural details on the facade.
(c) Classical Revival (1890 - 1930). Colors used on these type of buildings reflected a return to a more classical orientation. Subdued colors such as cream, light yellow, and white were used on the body and trim. Bolder highlight colors, like golds or greens, could be used to accent details.
(d) Art Deco and Modernistic Style (1920 - to Present). Buildings falling into this style typically used colors that were light and subdued. Light-colored stone, brick, or terra cotta were sometimes used in these buildings, and paint colors were chosen to complement the natural color of these materials. The natural patina of any original metal surfaces can guide the color choice.
(e) Recommendations for Paint Color.
(1) Always choose colors that blend well with the natural color of your building's unpainted brick or stone. Colors chosen should be appropriate to the time period of the building's construction. If the building is frame, or is already painted, colors should be selected that will blend with the overall colors that already exist downtown.
(2) Avoid painting surfaces that have never been painted. Stone and brick should generally be left unpainted, unless it has been painted in the past (See Upper Facades).
(3) Paint can be used to soften the appearance of modern facade treatments, such as veneers, permastone, or aluminum coverings.
(4) Choose a color scheme that will tie all of the parts of your building together visually. For instance, the colors used in the storefront should be repeated in the upper story windows or cornice area.
(Ord. 96-115. Passed 8-26-96.)