Exterior House Painting & Restoration

Our Exterior Painting Process

Exterior decorating demands far more than simply slapping paint onto walls. The British climate — with its freeze-thaw cycles, driving rain, and UV exposure — means that every stage of preparation directly impacts how long your finish lasts. Here is our proven six-step process for exterior painting across Hertfordshire.

Step 1: External Survey & Scaffolding Assessment

We begin with a thorough external survey of your property, inspecting every elevation for signs of paint failure, timber rot, cracked render, damp ingress, and biological growth such as algae or lichen. We assess which areas can be reached safely from ladders and where scaffolding is required. If scaffold is needed, we arrange this through NASC-registered contractors and include the cost in your quote — never as a surprise extra. We also check for any lead paint on older properties and advise on safe removal if necessary.

Step 2: Pressure Washing & Surface Cleaning

All exterior surfaces are pressure washed using a professional Kärcher unit to blast away years of accumulated dirt, grime, moss, and loose material. For surfaces with persistent algae or green biological growth — a common problem on north-facing Hertfordshire elevations — we apply a specialist anti-fungal biocidal wash and allow it to dwell before rinsing. This kills spores at the root, preventing regrowth beneath the new paint film. Surfaces are then left to dry thoroughly before any coatings are applied.

Step 3: Timber Repairs & Rot Treatment

Rotten or damaged timber — whether on window sills, fascia boards, barge boards, or door frames — is carefully assessed. Minor rot is treated with a liquid wood hardener to consolidate the fibres, then rebuilt using a two-part epoxy repair system such as Timbabuild Dry Flex. This is a durable, sandable compound that bonds permanently to the surrounding timber and can be painted over within hours. Where damage is too extensive for repair, we splice in new pressure-treated softwood or hardwood sections. For comprehensive sash window restoration, see our detailed guide: How to Restore Sash Windows.

Step 4: Masonry Crack Repair & Stabilisation

Cracks in rendered walls, pebbledash, or exposed brickwork are raked out and filled with appropriate repair mortars or flexible fillers. Loose or blown render is hacked off and patched with a sand-and-cement mix matched to the existing texture. For chalky, powdery, or friable masonry — where the surface crumbles when touched — we apply Sandtex Stabilising Solution, a penetrating liquid that soaks into the substrate and binds loose particles together, creating a solid foundation for paint. Without this step, topcoats simply peel away within a season or two.

Step 5: Priming

Correct priming is the bridge between preparation and a lasting finish. On bare masonry, we use Dulux Weathershield Stabilising Primer to seal the surface and improve topcoat adhesion. On areas where old paint is flaking or the substrate varies between painted and bare patches, Zinsser Peel Stop is our go-to — a flexible, elastic primer that bridges hairline cracks and creates a uniform base. All bare timber and repaired woodwork receives a dedicated exterior wood primer before topcoating. We never skip this step, even when manufacturers claim their topcoats are "self-priming."

Step 6: Topcoats — Built to Last

We apply a minimum of two full coats of premium exterior paint, chosen to match the demands of each surface. For masonry walls and render, we use Dulux Weathershield Smooth Masonry Paint (with a 15-year guarantee), Sandtex 365 (excellent all-weather performance), or Tikkurila Facade (a Finnish-engineered paint with outstanding UV and moisture resistance). For exterior woodwork — window frames, fascias, soffits, and front doors — we use Little Greene Intelligent Exterior Eggshell for a modern, durable satin finish, or traditional exterior gloss systems for a classic high-shine look. Each coat is applied at the manufacturer's recommended coverage rate with full drying time between coats.

Exterior Services:

• ✓Render & Pebbledash Painting
• ✓Sash Window Woodwork Restoration
• ✓Front Door High-Gloss Painting
• ✓Fascias, Soffits & Bargeboards
• ✓Guttering & Downpipes Painting
• ✓Fences, Gates & Garden Decking