Who could be more tempted than stylish living on a clifftop in Cornwall with uninterrupted views across to the blustery Atlantic ocean?
This exposed home had years of being battered by coastal storms and wind driven rain from the Atlantic ocean in Cornwall and needed weatherproofing to protect it for future years.
That’s why the customers chose us to install a weatherproof and highly durable Wethertex wall coating.
This house, located in the village of Porthtowan (or “Porth Tewyn” in Cornish) is one of the most exposed locations on the North Cornwall coast and is popular with surfers.
Let us show you how we worked on this home to repair and weatherproof it against the weather.
But first, to put it into context, here is a bit about the area in question.
We of course love working in these areas, it’s a perk of the job, so here we go…..
A bit about the area
Porthtowan is a small village located on the north coast of Cornwall, England. It is situated about 10 miles west of the city of Truro, and is part of the civil parish of St Agnes.
The village is perhaps best known for its sandy beach, which is popular with surfers due to its consistent waves. The beach is also a great spot for swimming and sunbathing, and there are several cafes and pubs nearby where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink.
In addition to the beach, Porthtowan is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with numerous walking trails and coastal paths to explore. There are also several nearby attractions, including the Blue Hills Tin Streams, which is a museum dedicated to the history of tin mining in Cornwall.
Overall, Porthtowan is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Cornwall, enjoy some outdoor activities, and relax on a beautiful beach.
And it very nice for us to be able to work here, with some amazing views for the week!
Here is what we started with.
The house had only recently been painted by a local decorator but soon showed signs of deterioration on the outside walls.
As the house is in a clifftop location, the building get’s the weather hitting it, including the various Atlantic storms throughout the year. This literally ripped the paint off the walls, something that is common in coastal areas.
Even using what is supposed to be top brand masonry paint, it just does not last.
The owners were not only sick of having it repainted each year, but the cost rose time and time again, so they asked us to provide them with a longer term paint finish for the wall, one that would keep the weather at bay, and not need painting again for some time.
It wasn’t just the paint that was the problem, the relentless weather in the winter had opened up some small cracks, plus an area of render was hollow and needed replacing as you can see below.
Here we can see the coast facing wall, with repairs carried out to damaged areas
This not only saved them a lot of money in the long term, it also reduced their home heating bills by around 30% meaning the wall coating should soon pay for itself many times over.
The disadvantages of using masonry paint in a costal or clifftop location.
Reduced durability:
Cheap paint may have a lower quality and a shorter lifespan than high-quality paint.
In coastal locations, houses are more exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as strong winds, rain, salt spray, and sunlight, which can cause the paint to peel, fade, crack, or chip more quickly than in other areas. This can result in a shabby and unattractive appearance, as well as costly and time-consuming maintenance.
Poor protection:
Cheap paint may not provide adequate protection against moisture, mildew, and rust, which are common issues in coastal locations due to the high levels of humidity and salt in the air. Moisture can penetrate the paint film and cause the underlying substrate, such as wood or metal, to decay or corrode, leading to structural damage and health hazards.
Inferior coverage:
Cheap paint may have a lower pigment concentration and a thinner consistency than high-quality paint, which means it may require more coats to achieve the desired color and finish. This can increase the labour and material costs, as well as the risk of overworking the surface and causing adhesion problems.
Environmental impact:
Cheap paint may contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals that can pollute the air and water, and contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. In coastal locations, where the environment is already fragile and vulnerable, using cheap paint can exacerbate these issues and harm the local ecosystem and wildlife.
Therefore, it is important to invest in high-quality, weather-resistant, and eco-friendly paint products that are specifically designed for coastal locations, even if they may cost more upfront. This can save you money and headaches in the long run, and help preserve the beauty and sustainability of the coast.
What work did we do to weatherproof the property?
Any job we do get’s a very thorough paint job, far more in depth than your local painter and decorator would do, which is one reason why our exterior wall coating system lasts upwards of 20 years.
Here is the most exposed wall, clinging precariously to the cliffs behind it.
We powerwashed the old paint off, which cam away very easily as the weather here had started to lift much of the paint away from the wall.
We then carried out a few crack repairs, although thankfully the property was structurally in OK condition and did not require too much prep work.
We then masked up the doors and windows and laid dust sheets on the ground, as you can see above.
We don’t make any mess when we work, this is your home, not a building site.
We then hand applied a primer coating across the entire house, which can also be seen below.
The house was covered in primer all the way around, which gives us a good base surface to spray apply our wall coating system to the walls.
We spend a great deal of time on prep work, one of the reasons why we offer a 20 year guarantee against fading, cracking, chipping or peeling.
No matter what mother nature throws at this house for the next 2 decades, it will repel anything, including storms and wind-driven rain. It also prevents damp, mould and condensation in the house too.
Here is the finished article on one elevation of the house.
It is now fully protected from the Atlantic Cornish weather.
The benefits of having an exterior wall coating on the outside of a house in a costal location.
Increased durability:
Exterior wall coatings are designed to provide a tough and long-lasting barrier against the harsh weather conditions of coastal locations, such as high winds, salt spray, rain, and UV radiation.
They can resist fading, cracking, peeling, and chalking better than conventional paint, and can protect the underlying substrate, such as brick, stucco, or wood, from moisture, corrosion, and decay.
Improved insulation:
Exterior wall coatings can also enhance the thermal performance of a house by reducing heat loss and gain through the walls.
They can create a breathable and flexible membrane that prevents the ingress of water, while allowing moisture vapour to escape, which can prevent condensation, mould, and mildew growth, and improve indoor air quality and comfort.
Reduced maintenance:
Exterior wall coatings can save you time and money on maintenance and repairs, as they require less frequent recoating and touch-up than conventional paint.
They can also be cleaned easily with a mild detergent and water, and can resist dirt, algae, and bird droppings, which can be common problems in coastal locations.
Enhanced aesthetics:
Exterior wall coatings come in a wide range of colours, textures, and finishes, which can enhance the kerb appeal and value of your house, and reflect your personal style and taste. They can also provide a uniform and seamless appearance, and cover up any imperfections or blemishes on the walls.
Environmentally friendly:
Many exterior wall coatings are eco-friendly and low VOC, which means they are safe for you, your family, and the environment. They can reduce the carbon footprint of your house, and contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the coastal ecosystem.
Overall, having an exterior wall coating on the outside of your house in a coastal location can be a smart and beneficial investment that can protect your house, improve your comfort, and enhance your lifestyle.
How much does an exterior wall coating cost?
If I could tell you that right now, I would.
We always visit a house to survey it and present you with a fixed price quote, in writing, although if you email us photos we can often give you a right idea to see if it is within your budget before taking it a step further.
Each job is priced on its own merits, so a larger home would be more than a bungalow, and a house requiring extensive repair would cost more to do than one in good condition.
You would be talking (something) ……thousand, NOT (something …..hundred).
There are other aspects which affect the cost too, so its best to get in contact us and ask.
You can call us Monday to Saturday, on 0800 970 4928: We even pay for the call.
You can also email us here.
The Never Paint Again Wall Coating Co., 10 Drake Mill Business Park, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 7PS.
(Service available across England and Wales)