Church Painting & Restoration In Cheshire

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We recently completed a church painting and restoration project in Cheshire that presented unique challenges requiring specialist knowledge and materials. This historic building required careful attention to its original lime plasterwork, making sure our restoration would preserve the surface integrity whilst providing long-lasting protection

Initial Site Assessment

When we first arrived at this beautiful church, our team conducted a thorough assessment of the existing paintwork and underlying surfaces. The building's age meant that multiple layers of paint had accumulated over decades, with much of it now loose and failing.

We discovered that the original construction utilised lime plaster throughout most of the interior and exterior walls, which meant our restoration approach needed to respect the building's characteristics.

The assessment revealed extensive areas where the paint was lifting and flaking, particularly around areas exposed to moisture and weathering. Our team documented each section requiring attention, allowing us to plan the most effective restoration that would preserve the church's historic character whilst providing modern protection.

Existing Paint Removal

The first stage of our painting and restoration work involved meticulous preparation. We carefully scraped away all loose and failing paint from the walls, taking great care not to damage the underlying lime plaster. This process required patience and skill, as lime plaster can be more delicate than modern cement-based materials.

Our painters and decorators worked systematically across the entire building, removing decades of accumulated paint layers. The scraping process revealed the original plaster surface, which showed various areas of damage and wear that would need addressing before we could apply new protective coatings.

Filling & Surface Preparation

Following the paint removal, we identified numerous areas requiring filling and repair work. The project demanded approximately 40 kilos of specialised breathable filler – a substantial amount that reflects the extent of restoration needed.

We selected breathable filler specifically because it would allow moisture vapour to pass through, preventing trapped moisture that could damage the lime plaster substrate.

Our skilled decorators applied the filler carefully to each damaged area, making sure proper adhesion whilst maintaining the wall's natural breathing properties.

Achieving A Smooth Finish

After the filling work cured properly, our team sanded and prepared all surfaces to achieve a smooth, even finish ready for painting. This preparation stage proves crucial for the final appearance and longevity of any church painting and restoration project.

Applying Specialist Masonry Paint

For the final coating, we selected Johnstone's Trade Stormshield Sol Silicate Masonry Paint, a premium breathable paint system specifically designed for historic and lime-based substrates. This paint choice was critical because it maintains the wall's breathing properties whilst providing excellent weather protection and durability.

We applied two full coats of this specialist masonry paint across all prepared surfaces. The Sol Silicate formulation chemically bonds with mineral substrates like lime plaster, creating a durable finish that moves with the building rather than forming a rigid barrier. This flexibility prevents cracking and peeling that commonly affects standard paints on historic buildings.

Our application technique involved careful attention to coverage and consistency, ensuring complete protection whilst maintaining the natural texture characteristics of the church walls.

Project Completion

This church painting and restoration project in Cheshire demonstrates our expertise in working with historic buildings and specialist materials. The breathable paint system we've installed will protect this beautiful church for many years.

The restored surfaces provide excellent durability whilst maintaining the building's historic integrity. Our careful preparation work and material selection guarantees that this restoration will stand the test of time, preserving this important Cheshire landmark for future generations to appreciate.