West Virginia State Capitol Dome |
|
|
Understanding the Costs Involved in an Exterior Gilding Project |
|
|
April marks the start of spring, which means thinking about outdoor projects that might be tackled. When it comes to the preservation industry, one of the main outdoor restoration projects we are involved in and are often asked about is, exterior gilding. So we figured it would be a great time to share some knowledge to assist in the understanding of the costs involved in an exterior gilding project. |
|
|
Understanding the costs related to an exterior gilding project requires a review of the specific factors related to the project at hand. However, we will attempt to explain the basic breakdown of what a typical gilding project entails and the costs. Quality is an important value when discussing gilding costs since cheap materials and workmanship will end up costing significantly in the long run. A successful exterior gilding project should remain in good condition for 10+ years, but poor craftsmanship could result in immediate deterioration. Therefore, the upfront cost of materials and labor meeting the proper quality requirements will be more expensive on paper but it will last in glimmering splendor much longer.
Hiring a quality and experienced contractor to complete the work is the most obvious necessity. Reputation and trust are important on any construction project, gilding is not any different. The company should have an understanding of the integrity of the building and a strong practiced understanding of exterior gilding. Each step in the gilding process, from preparing the substrate to selecting the proper gold leaf, to application of the gold will determine the longevity of the work. A firm must have a diverse knowledge of historic materials as well as modern methods in order to properly assess the area and repair substrate damages if necessary.
|
|
|
A quality restoration contractor can provide the cost of the work, including labor and materials, to complete the project. The typical exterior gilding project includes material selection based on the area to be gilded, preparation of the substrate, repairs as necessary, priming, sizing, application of gold leaf, and burnishing. To read about the specifics of the gilding process, check out The Art and Process of Gilding. Unexpected costs may arise upon careful inspection of the substrate, previously hidden under the old gold leaf and often too far away to carefully assess.
|
|
|
When gilding, purity and careful attention to detail are crucial to material selection as well as the process. Anything less than 23-karat gold leaf risks early deterioration for exterior projects. Gold is sold in leaf packets at the market price. Exposure to the elements requires a high level of gold purity for long lasting results. As briefly mentioned, the process of preparing the surface for the gold is essential for a successful project. Any impurities beneath the applied gold also risk deterioration of the material.
Lastly, depending on the location of the area to be gilded, access may be required. Whether it's a dome or decorative motif, if scaffolding or a lift is necessary, that will be one of the most significant costs. Getting an estimate for access is relatively simple, local representatives are readily available to visit the job site and provide a quote. While pricing the scaffolding or lift, it is important to remember that exterior gilding can only be completed during warmer months, late spring through early fall.
|
When approaching a gilding project, the costs may seem daunting at first. After all, it is gold! Throughout the budgeting process it is important to remember that value and quality will deliver an enduring and beautiful result. Whether restoring historic gold leaf or introducing new exterior leaf, gilding can truly transform the architectural details in the construction and bring a building or monument to life. |
|
|
The Canning Studio would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have regarding the costs and process related to exterior gilding. |
|
|
Latest Articles & Announcements |
|
|
| The History of Architectural Paint Coatings in America |
The history of architectural paint coatings in America is a tale of craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural evolution. It begins with the handcrafted paints of the colonial era, journeys through the groundbreaking industrial age, and culminates in the consumer-friendly products of today. Each era tells a story not only of technological progress but also of the changing needs of a growing nation. This article takes a brief look at the history of architectural paint coatings in America.
|
|
|
|
How To Pick The Right Contractor For A Historic Theatre Restoration |
Restoring a historic theatre is not merely about construction; it's a profound commitment to preserving a piece of cultural heritage. The success of such a complex project depends largely on assembling a team that combines technical expertise with a deep passion for preservation. In this article we are going to offer some guidance to help you choose the right contractor and restoration team for your historic theatre project..
|
|
|
|
Last month we mentioned that our project at the First Church of Christ in Woodbridge has been chosen to receive the Preservation Connecticut Award of Merit. This month, we are excited to share that the project is also receiving the 2025 Traditional Building's Palladio Award for Craftsmanship. John Canning & Co. was entrusted with the delicate task of reviving the church's interior, embarking on a multi-phase restoration project that would span from 2019 to 2023. The meticulous craftsmanship carefully orchestrated dialogue between past and present, where every design element preserves a memory, and the entire sanctuary becomes a canvas of a historical narrative with the completely restored and refreshed church interior. The First Church of Christ project is a masterpiece of preservation that we look forward to celebrating on June 10th at the Awards Dinner that will be held during the Traditional Building Conference in Colonial Williamsburg, VA.
|
|
|
|
The April issue of Traditional Building Magazine's Craftspeople section focuses on the Living Arts. Breaking from the idea that traditional building arts are fading and specialized craftspeople can not be found. This article features six artisans and their companies keeping traditional crafts alive, one design at a time. One of the six artisans featured is David Riccio, President and one of the Principals of John Canning & Co. David Riccio's career is much more than just a job and it is an undertaking to sustain and grow the craft of architectural conservation. In a world that often prioritizes speed over quality, Riccio reminds us of the beauty and significance of traditional craftsmanship. And as we look at the spectacular buildings he has been a part of restoring, we are not just seeing the achievement of one man, but also the evolution of the artistic tradition spanning over centuries. Thanks to David Riccio, this pastime will continue to inspire and amaze for generations to come.
|
|
|
|
We have the pleasure of working on some amazing projects with some great teams, and on occasion, we have visits to our studios to review progress and have meetings. Recently, we were honored to have some of the Georgia State Capitol team in-house to see some of the progress of our ongoing project at the State Capitol. This project involves a lot of decorative work, some of which is being created on canvas to later be installed on-site. During this visit, some of the members of the Georgia State Capitol had a chance to see stenciling and striping of one of the decorative patterns being worked on.
|
|
|
|
May is approaching fast. The month of May is dedicated to celebrating historic preservation. To do something different, John Canning & Co. is going to run a social media challenge during May. We are asking that you visit some of the historic buildings that Canning has been privileged to perform preservation work on. With almost 50 years in business, there are lots of places to choose from across the country. While you are visiting, take a selfie or video and post it to social media. In the post, tag us (reference the appropriate social media account tag), list the location, and add the hashtag #CanningPreservationMonthChallenge. Each week, we will be giving away a gift card to one of the users who accepted the preservation challenge. So start planning where you might be going next month to participate in the Canning preservation month challenge. Can you guess the location in this picture? If you said the Mark Twain House & Museum, you are correct. The Mark Twain House is one of the first 100 properties in the nation to be designated a National Historic Landmark and we have restored finishes in the Mahogany Suite pictured here with some of the Canning team. Our work there has won multiple awards and would be a great stop for anyone in CT.
|
|
|
|
Over the last couple of years, Canning has performed work at the Frick Collection as part of the renovation of the building, which included plaster and paint restoration, as well as some new plaster work and decorative painting in the auditorium. Even though this article does not touch on our work, it is a great read. The New York Times, At the New Frick, Magicians Come Out of the Woodwork dives into textile weavers, tassel-makers, lightening restorers, cabinet makers and muralist forging new traditions at the sumptuous Beaux-Arts museum. The now museum was once Henry Clay Frick's mansion that architect, John Russell Pope converted into a museum to preserve Henry's art collection as well as additional works that have been collected over the years. The Frick Collection, located in New York City, is officially reopening on April 17th, so plan your visit to check out the renovated building.
|
|
|
Interested in Seeing More of Our Work? Follow Us on TikTok!
|
|
|
Beautiful aerial of the West Virginia State Capitol building's gilded dome. Canning removed all existing coatings, restored and fabricated metal elements as needed, then applied sizing and gold leaf to gild specified areas of dome.
Video by Rick Ray |
|
|
We understand the importance in sharing our expertise and knowledge in our field. Besides the monthly newsletter and blogs we post, we also develop and share downloadable resources to help guide you in your conservation, preservation and restoration projects. Check out the Resources page and see if any of the resources can help answer some of your questions and provide a better understanding of some of the intricacies in the preservation field.
Check out our Featured Downloadable Resource below. |
|
|
If you have an upcoming project that involves gilding you might be interested in this resource. This Art of Exterior Gilding Guide will help in understanding the process, materials, and expertise needed for exterior gilding. |
|
|
If you think others would be interested in our content, please forward!
SUBSCRIBE |
|
|
The Association for Preservation Technology (APT) is the premier cross-disciplinary organization dedicated to promoting the best technology for conserving historic structure and their settings.
Annual Conference November 11-15, 2025
Providence, RI |
|
As a national nonprofit preservation organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places and is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more or get involved. |
|
The League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) is a non-profit organization with the main purpose of sustaining historic theatres across North America for the benefit of their communities and future generations.
Annual Conference July 20-23, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA |
| The American Institute for Conservation and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation work together to promote the preservation and protection of cultural heritage. Partner with us to further that mission. Annual Meeting
May 27-31, 2025 Minneapolis, MN |
|
|
JOIN THE CONVERSATION #PerfectingPreservation #jcanningcrew |
|
|
|