Edwardian Stucco Facade Restoration

This magnificent Edwardian semi-detached home in Belsize Park featured a stunning stucco facade that had deteriorated significantly over the years. The property faced south, meaning it bore the brunt of weather exposure including driving rain, strong sun, and pollution from nearby traffic. Large sections of the stucco had cracked and were beginning to detach from the brick substrate beneath. Water ingress had caused some areas to become soft and crumbling. Previous paint applications were flaking badly, and the entire facade had an unsightly patchwork appearance. The client was concerned about both the aesthetic deterioration and the risk of further structural damage if water continued to penetrate the fabric of the building.

Key Challenges

This project required extensive preparatory work before any painting could begin. We erected full scaffolding to provide safe access to all elevations of the property. Our specialist team began by carefully removing all loose and failing stucco, exposing the brick substrate. We then applied a new render system specifically designed for external facades, using a flexible, breathable lime-based render that would move with the building and prevent future cracking. Badly damaged areas required render build-up in multiple layers, each allowed to cure properly before the next application. Once all repairs were complete and fully cured, we applied a masonry stabilisation primer to create the perfect substrate for painting. For the topcoat, we specified Dulux Weathershield Masonry Paint, a premium exterior paint with exceptional weather resistance and a 15-year guarantee. The client chose a beautiful "Almond White" for the main facade with "Portland Stone" for the architectural details. We applied two full coats using specialised masonry rollers and brushes to ensure complete coverage and durability.

Project Approach

Services Provided