Dulux Trade
Latest Case studies
Happy Customers: South Kesteven transforms its cyclical painting programme with Dulux Trade Paints
South Kesteven District Council has trialled various paint manufacturers during its cyclical maintenance programmes, however it recently specified Dulux Trade products as the sole brand to be used. Quality and value for money need to be the focus of any local authority, but these were previously lacking due to a combination of poor technical support, varied on-site application and many years of competitive tendering, resulting in mixed levels of product quality and application.
Looking to improve not only the standard of finish, but to extend the maintenance cycles and tenant satisfaction at the properties, South Kesteven DC recognised the importance of being able to work in close partnership with a single paint manufacturer to better the quality of contractors' work on site. It turned to Dulux Trade, which has delivered on every level.
The BBA certified Weathershield Exterior Gloss System from Dulux Trade helps to extend maintenance cycles for new work and redecoration, providing up to 8 years protection for exterior doors, windows and other joinery, and lowering total maintenance costs. The system contains algicides and fungicides to resist mould growth, displays excellent opacity to give superior covering power and has been formulated to include unique Dulux Trade NAD Technology which flexes with the wood to prevent cracking.
Dulux Trade products are now used throughout South Kesteven DC's entire 1600-strong property portfolio. The Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior Gloss System (WEGS) has been applied to all external timber, from fascias and soffits to timber doors, frames, and garage doors. External cladding on the properties has been treated with Dulux Trade Weathershield Opaque Advanced Protection (AP), a high performance solvent-based opaque woodstain that provides a water-repellent satin finish. It combines a high performance solid colour with unique AP technology, which means that exterior joinery on the properties is not only protected from extreme weather for up to six years, it also looks better for longer.
John Fletcher, Project Officer at South Kesteven DC, comments: "The strong, supportive relationship with Dulux Trade has given us the opportunity to implement rigorous procedures with the results being quality of work beyond recognition. Dulux Trade has been endlessly helpful, looking at our application processes and recommending changes where necessary, as well as supporting the Council with its introduction and implementation of a staged inspection system. This means that after every application stage, be it knotting primer, undercoat, wall coats or gloss work, the finish is inspected against the quality of our 'benchmark properties' before painting contractors can progress to the next coat.
"To ensure the robust inspections are maintained, the Council's own Project Supervisor, Gary O'Donovan, verifies each stage upon completion and can do so with confidence by drawing upon a lifetime of experience within the decorating industry. Although the stage inspection system requires a slightly greater financial outlay at the beginning of a refurbishment programme, due to the need to apply multiple coats in some cases, we endeavour to extend our maintenance cycles from five to seven years - which will save a significant amount of money in the long run (therefore providing value for money). What's more, we have already received tremendously positive feedback from our tenants about the quality of the painting work, and we take pride in being able to provide excellent homes for our tenants."
So impressed is South Kesteven DC with the resulting blend of Dulux Trade products, technical support and staged management procedures it has decided to adopted the same approach to cover internal finishes as well. It is even trialling the Anti-Graffiti paint system from the Dulux Trade specialist products range in the communal areas of its housing stock.
