Dulux Trade protects historical college

When it comes to maintaining its expansive estate, Wellington College in Berkshire has relied upon the professional expertise of LSM Decorating Contractors - a Dulux Trade Contract Partner - for over 20 years.

Established ten years ago, the exclusive Dulux Trade Contract Partnership scheme comprises independently assessed, quality assured painting contractors. Via an on-going assessment programme and compliance with its Code of Practice, Dulux Trade Contract Partners, such as LSM Decorating Contractors, can be trusted to deliver a consistently high standard of workmanship, completing all jobs with exemplary professionalism.

In order to effectively preserve and protect the historical buildings at Wellington College, LSM Decorating Contractors use the highest quality paints and coatings. For its latest maintenance project at the college, the company selected several Dulux Trade paints and coatings for their superior quality and durability.

For the front elevation of the college, the Munro Pavilion and two of the quadrangles, the company has used Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior Gloss system and Dulux Trade Weathershield Masonry Paint to provide up to 15 years of protection. Gerald Burbidge, the works bursar at Wellington College, says: "By using the Dulux Trade Weathershield paint system we have been able to extend the time required for redecoration from five years to at least seven. In fact, in some areas of our Grade 2 listed buildings we have achieved an even longer period as the paint system has stayed solid and firm. This has enabled us to save significant amounts of time and money in scaffolding costs."

Additionally, LSM Decorating Contractors was commissioned to paint both the dining room and masters' common room. In order to create a design befitting the historic building, these were refreshed using colours from the Dulux Trade Heritage collection. The paint has been specially developed to provide an extensive array of authentic period colours with the professional quality and coverage expected of Dulux Trade products. The Heritage colours were applied in a Dulux Trade Diamond Matt formulation, which is ten times more durable and ten times more stain resistant than standard emulsions, making it ideal for a busy school environment.

Les Marshall, Owner of LSM Decorating Contractors, explained: "Given the complex requirements of Wellington College, we needed to use products which would offer significant durability under pressures from the weather, as well as withstand high traffic from students and staff. We knew the expansive collection from Dulux Trade would provide the highest standard of finish for each area of the college."

Nicki Rutter, the Dulux Trade Business Development Manager who worked with LSM Decorating Contractors on the project, added: "By selecting a Dulux Trade Contract Partner for its maintenance, Wellington College can be assured they will receive a professional finish. Its long-standing relationship with the company is evidence of the high quality service and products that LSM Decorating Contractors provides, which is akin to the quality of the Dulux Trade products they use."