Preserving Victorian Elegance: Exterior Restoration in Broxbourne

Broxbourne is home to some truly stunning properties, particularly the Victorian homes that give the area so much character. However, owning a property of this vintage is a labour of love. While the brickwork often stands the test of time, the timber elements specifically sash windows and roofline joinery are constantly fighting a battle against the elements.

We recently undertook a comprehensive exterior painting and restoration project on a beautiful Victorian property in Broxbourne. The scale of this job was significant, involving the restoration of 14 sash windows alongside the high-level soffits and facias. When a property has 14 sash windows, maintenance cannot be tackled halfway. The homeowners were facing common issues: peeling paint, rot, decay, and visible signs of weathering on the high-level timber.

With meticulous preparation we believe that the longevity of external painting is determined by the preparation work we put in before any painting is started. This is achieved by thoroughly cleaning and degreasing every surface to remove years of built up of dirt and grime. Once clean, we tackled the old coatings. Any loose or peeling paint was stripped right back to the sound, bare timber. Finally, the remaining paintwork was thoroughly abraded. This step is crucial as it creates a solid “key” for the new paint system to grip onto.

With the timber stripped and exposed, we could accurately assess the condition of the wood. We inevitably found areas where moisture had penetrated the joinery. Instead of opting for quick fixes, we addressed the root cause. All signs of rot and decay were completely removed back to the sound wood. Once the decayed material was gone, we rebuilt the profile of the windows and facias using the Repair Care resin system.

Repair Care is the gold standard for restoration. Unlike standard two-part fillers that dry hard and brittle, this resin is an elastic epoxy. It bonds permanently with the timber and flexes with the wood as it expands and contracts through the seasons. This is vital for sash windows, which undergo significant stress during operation. Once the resin repairs were cured and sanded to a smooth profile, we moved to the protection phase using the Dulux Weathershield 8-Year System. We applied a preserver to penetrate the wood and protect against future rot and decay. Once that was dry, we applied two undercoats, sanding between coats followed by one coat of High Gloss to provide a flexible, breathable barrier against the weather. The window cills were double glossed to provide even more protection against the elements 

To ensure the best possible finish, we incorporated Owatrol paint conditioner into our process. this additive improves the “flow” of the paint, allowing it to level out perfectly on the narrow glazing bars. This eliminates brush marks and leaves a glass smooth finish that looks stunning up closely. It also plays a crucial role in adhesion, by helping the paint bond tightly to the surface, it ensures that the paint won’t peel or flake prematurely.

The Result The 14 sash windows now look crisp and function perfectly, and the freshly painted soffits and facias frame the roofline beautifully. The home now has massive curb appeal and, more importantly, is protected for years to come.