A colour for all seasons
When Plymouth Community Homes decided to makeover its housing stock at Estover Estate, it called on the experts at Dulux Trade to create a colourful design scheme which would brighten up the exterior of the properties and subsequently help to improve resident satisfaction levels.
The properties throughout Estover Estate previously featured a heavy grey render. Plymouth Community Homes was therefore keen to add a splash of colour, and so Dulux Trade Weathershield All Seasons Smooth Masonry Paint was used to help create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.
Specification Account Manager at Dulux Trade, Steve Oakley, worked together with the Dulux Trade Colour Studio to produce a variety of bespoke colour swatches that would transform the estate and refresh the tired render.
Both Dulux Trade and Plymouth Community Homes believe that resident involvement is a vital part of improving satisfaction levels, and therefore sought to involve the residents in the refurbishment from the outset. From the swatches produced by the Dulux Trade colour studio, each resident was given the opportunity to choose the colour they would like for their own property.
Steve Oakley comments: "Research has shown that how residents feel about their surroundings is strongly linked to the appearance of social housing, as attractive, colourful and well maintained community areas encourage individuals to take pride in their homes and neighbourhoods, promoting cooperation and community spirit within a population.
"A fresh coat of paint can make a massive difference to the overall feel of an estate like Estover, and it needn"t cost the earth."
What's more, the feedback received from residents indicates that being involved at specification stage has helped to encourage a sense of community cohesion. Speaking about the makeover, one resident commented that she was extremely pleased with the colour choices and felt that the transformation was marvellous.
Facilities management company and painting contractor, Ian Williams, a partner of Plymouth Community Homes and a Dulux Trade Contract Partner, worked closely with Steve on the transformation, providing preparation and painting services for the project.
Due to the scale of the project and the amount of time it would take to complete, Steve specified Dulux Trade Weathershield All Seasons Smooth Masonry Paint as it is a flexible, smooth solvent-based masonry paint, ideal for use all-year round on exterior walls.
Based on patented technology, Weathershield All Seasons Smooth Masonry Paint provides up to fifteen years lasting protection. It is formulated to include the unique Dulux Trade NAD Technology, which means quicker drying and recoat times, even in very cold conditions. The technology also enables it to withstand rainfall only fifteen minutes after application.
Steve continues: "For large developments, which by their very nature take longer to complete, it is important that contractors are not dependent on the weather as this can often prolong a project. Therefore, the Weathershield All Seasons Masonry Paint was ideal for a project of this scale. What's more, the product contains a fungicide to inhibit mould growth, which helps to extend maintenance cycles by keeping the buildings looking smarter for longer."
Karl Donegan, Team Leader of the Programmed Maintenance Team at Plymouth Community Homes, says: "Your first impression of a home is so important. That's where we come in. A lick of paint can make all the difference and I"ve seen first hand how it can lift people's spirit."