Rotting Porch? See How This $45K Exterior Fix Saved a Family Estate

This was no ordinary exterior repaint. Located in the quiet, wooded neighborhood of Cedar Run in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, this 4,000-square-foot estate required serious attention to both structure and aesthetics.

The homeowner, Sam, reached out to Four Pillars Paint with a clear expectation: high-caliber work for a high-value property. The scope included repairing rotten siding, porch columns, railings, and floorboards, plus a full repaint of all exterior siding, trim, doors, and porches. This wasn’t just cosmetic—it was about long-term protection and restoring pride of ownership.

We spent three weeks on-site, carefully coordinating carpentry, surface prep, and premium exterior painting. The entire home was finished in Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain-Refresh in Pure White, a choice made for both its crisp aesthetic and its advanced self-cleaning and weather-resistant properties. The project was priced at $45,000, reflecting the scope of woodwork, structural complexity, and quality materials.

Sam discovered Four Pillars Paint through ChatGPT, looking for recommendations for high-quality, trustworthy painters in his area. He runs his family’s law firm and lives in a private estate, so naturally, he expects the best—from people who show up when they say they will and get the job done right. After doing his research, he reached out.

When we arrived for the first walkthrough, we understood immediately what mattered to him. It wasn’t just the peeling paint or rotten wood—it was the investment in his family’s home and legacy. The porch boards were warped. Columns were soft at the base. Siding was splitting in hidden spots, and the paint had faded and cracked in key exposure zones.

What stood out most about Sam was his willingness to trust Four Pillars Paint once we proved we understood the scope. We didn’t offer fast fixes. We offered thorough solutions. And every step of the way—from demo to rebuild to repaint—Sam saw the kind of craftsmanship that earns confidence.

One of the most technically demanding challenges was repairing porch floorboards underneath weight-bearing columns. Instead of piecing in multiple boards or using filler, we carefully reinforced the porch structure, removed the compromised wood, and replaced it with solid, continuous boards. It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t just look better—it lasts longer.

• Initial Walkthrough & Planning: Met with the client to review the condition of the home, identify rotting areas, and plan structural repairs and color options.
• Siding & Trim Repair: Replaced multiple areas of damaged siding and trim, matching profiles and ensuring all materials were primed and caulked for weather resistance.
• Porch Structure Reinforcement: Lifted and supported porch columns to access and replace deteriorating floorboards beneath, installing new boards in full-length solid pieces.
• Surface Preparation: Power washed all exterior surfaces. Scraped loose paint, sanded edges smooth, and applied primer to all bare wood for optimal adhesion.
• Exterior Painting – Full Coverage: Applied Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain-Refresh in Pure White to all siding, trim, porch columns, doors, and railings using brush, roller, and spray methods where appropriate.
• Final Walkthrough & Detailing: Conducted a detailed inspection with the homeowner. Completed touch-ups, removed all masking and debris, and left the site clean and beautiful.

When the last coat dried and the debris was cleared, the home stood proudly once again—crisp, white, solid, and striking. Every corner of the exterior told a story of quality. From the smooth transitions on the repaired siding to the exacting brushwork on the columns, the difference was obvious.

Sam was thrilled.

“I knew this wasn’t going to be a cheap job, and I’m glad I didn’t go with the lowest bid. Four Pillars Paint delivered exactly what they promised—clear communication, no cut corners, and results that will last.”

He’s since referred Four Pillars Paint to multiple neighbors, proud to show off the finished product and confident that we’ll bring the same level of excellence to others in the community.

This project wasn’t just about paint. It was about protecting a legacy, restoring structure, and proving that craftsmanship still matters.