Exterior Decorating in Cambridge and Foxton

What we paint

Timber windows and sashes, front and back doors, fascias, soffits and bargeboards, porches, rendered and masonry walls, garage doors, gates, fences and garden buildings. If it is outside and can be painted, we can usually take care of it.

Preparation outside

We wash down surfaces, scrape and sand failed paint, and check timber for soft spots. Small areas of rot can be cut out and filled with a resin repair; anything larger we will flag so a joiner can replace it first. Bare timber gets a proper primer, and masonry is cleaned and stabilised before painting.

Products and weather

We use exterior-grade gloss, satin or microporous paints for timber, and quality masonry paint for render and brick. We plan exterior work around the forecast and avoid painting in rain, frost or strong direct heat, because the conditions affect how well the paint bonds and lasts.

Typical timescales

As a rough guide, the windows, doors and fascias on an average house might take a few days to a week, more if there is a lot of repair or render. Weather can stretch this, and we will keep you updated.

External rendering and woodwork repairs

External rendering needs a sound background, not just a fresh coat of paint. We assess loose or cracked areas and discuss the repair required before decoration. Local repairs and rendering work are planned around the existing surface; a hard modern patch is not automatically right for an older wall. Where damp or movement appears to be involved, the cause needs attention rather than another coating.

Woodwork repairs begin with finding the extent of the damage. We remove loose material and assess whether a local resin repair will leave a sound result. Suitable repairs are shaped and sanded to follow the surrounding profile before priming. Extensive decay, loose joints or structural problems need a different approach, and we explain when replacement timber or a joiner is needed.

We often use Zinsser AllCoat for suitable exterior surfaces, selecting the version and preparation to match the material and exposure. It is not a substitute for cleaning or repairing the background. Existing coatings, bare patches and the manufacturer’s drying requirements all affect the specification.

Before starting, we discuss access around paths, planting and entrances. We protect nearby surfaces and keep you informed if the weather changes the plan. Safe access is assessed for each elevation, rather than assuming one method will suit the whole house. We also agree which doors and windows need to remain available while coatings dry.