As a Grade II listed building that hadn’t been decorated for 14 years, The Old Rectory near Honiton was desperately overdue a restoration – particularly on the weathered exterior.
The owner of the private residence turned to Sean Pollington of Fenchurch Decorating, who brought over 40 years of experience to the large-scale project.
Sprucing up the surfaces
“The building was in a poor state when we started work and we had a few different surfaces to tackle, including lime render and some sand-and-cement patches,” said Sean. “There were quite strict guidelines that we needed to adhere to with the building being listed, including using the same colour scheme that was already there – but aesthetically too, it was a perfect fit.”
Fenchurch Decorating consulted with PPG’s technical team, who provided them with technical and colour matching advice, and recommended Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Sol Silicate Primer and Sol Silicate Masonry.
Designed to stabilise and bind porous lime rendered surfaces, the primer provides excellent levels of adhesion and works in tandem with masonry paint to maintain breathability – ultimately preventing moisture build up and helping to preserve the surface structure. The topcoat, Sol Silicate Masonry, has been formulated with Ultimate Breathability technology and water repelling properties to provide long-lasting protection against the elements, dirt and micro-organisms such as mould.
Designed for use on internal or external lime render, lime cement-based plaster and most masonry surfaces, the coating system was an ideal choice for the project and ensured the team could use the same product across both the lime render and sand-and-cement render patches, simplifying the process.
Standing the test of time
The project was completed in just over three months with 10 litres of primer and 25 litres of topcoat. The result was a well-protected, breathable finish that would last 10-12 years while preserving the building’s original look.
Sean concluded: “It’s always nice working on older buildings that are filled with character and years of history. The Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Sol Silicate system doesn’t contain vinyl and so doesn’t have a shiny finish, so it’s the perfect choice for a heritage project like The Old Rectory.”
“On projects like this, it’s crucial to use products that can accommodate the requirements of the listed buildings while also ensuring the building is protected. The Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Sol Silicate range not only enhances durability but allows the structure to breathe, maintaining its integrity. It can be tinted to a range of different colours too, meaning the original features of the property can be preserved in line with Grade Listed restrictions.”
Tony Walker, Technical Specification Manager at Johnstone’s Trade
To learn more about Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Sol Silicate Primer and Masonry click here
