All our exterior timberwork is supplied fully finished using 3 or more coats of microporous water based paint – As with GoreTex on top quality waterproof clothes, microporous paint allows the timber to breathe, which allows any moisture within the wood to come and go, increasing its longevity. Timber performs best with a moisture content of between 12-18%; Higher and it will become attractive to woodboring insects and fungi (not Accoya – it is inert) and lower, it shrinks and becomes brittle.

Before any coating commences, any exposed end grain is filled using a specialist stopper. This improves the surface for painting and stops moisture from entering the wood and being sucked deep into it by capillary action; then every part of the surfaces to be painted is rubbed down with very fine sandpaper, to remove any imperfections. A primer coat is applied, which is designed to soak into the surface of the timber and give it added protection. This tends to raise the grain, roughening the wood, so once the primer has fully dried, a second flatting with fine sandpaper removes any further imperfections before two topcoats are applied. Generally, the paint is applied by spray, which leaves a very high quality and flat finish, however, on historic buildings, this tends to look too flat and shiny, so for contracts where the clients require it, we brush paint the final coat in order to give the textured finish you find on old houses.

All our joinery is delivered unglazed, so once the glass has been installed, a small amount of touching up will be required.