Set on a large plot of land in Louth, Yew Tree Cottage was a tired-looking building in desperate need of renovation. Having undergone various changes over the years, the exterior of the property featured a variety of mismatched substrates, both new and old. This, coupled with a recent extension to almost double the size of the building presented a daunting task when it came to turning this traditional property into an inviting and modern home.

The project was a challenge, due to the uneven profile of the building after the old render had been removed back to an uneven substrate. However, when The Colour Render Company was approached about the job, they agreed to put their skills to the test and renderer James Marklew turned to Johnstone’s Trade and its Stormshield High Performance Render System to give the cottage a quality finish.

Getting started
The team began the project by holding a consultation with the homeowner to discuss colours and recommend a ‘best-fit system’ for the task ahead. The customer had a firm idea in mind for the colour, but that proved hard to find. With the help of Johnstone’s Trade, James was able to find the perfect match and suggested the colour ‘Ghost Writer’, a stylish, warm, grey shade from the PPG Voice of Colour range.
When it came to the render system itself, the team specified the Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield High Performance Render System knowing that the range had the right products to overcome the challenges set by the uneven substrate, and to be able to produce a flush modern finish that was the requisite of the client. The modern, high technology also offers enhanced durability, which ensures peace of mind that the render will stand the test of time and endure all weather conditions.

Applying the Johnstone’s Trade High Performance Render System
Using the first step in the render system, James and the team started with a layer of Johnstone’s Trade Key Coat Primer, an adhesion coating for old and problematic substrates that helps to eliminate issues with suction control and poor key grip. They then built up the system, applying the following one layer at a time:

• Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield High Performance Basecoat – offering great tensile strength to prevent substrate cracking
• Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Render Reinforcing Mesh Cloth – with a fibreglass, alkaline-resistant coating to provide reinforcement as well as flexibility, tying the system together
• A second layer of basecoat
• Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Silicone Enhanced Primer – sealing in alkalinity of previous layers to avoid reaction with the top coat, while blinding out the background with its high pigment
• Johnstone’s Trade Stormshield Silicone Enhanced Topcoat – a highly flexible and crack-resistant render

 
The entire render system offers a life expectancy of up to 30 years and is easy to clean and maintain, giving Yew Tree Cottage a high-quality and durable end result.

Going indoors
Inside the cottage, Johnstone’s Trade products were also chosen to breathe new life into the property. For the woodwork, Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Water Based Satin, an innovative quick drying coating, was applied to give a durable and low odour finish. For the walls and ceilings, a variety of Johnstone’s Trade paints were used, including Johnstone’s Trade Jonmat Premium Contract Matt, which provides excellent coverage, Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic Eggshell, with its anti-yellowing formula, and Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic Durable Matt, for its outstanding durability. The previously neglected cottage was ultimately given a modern and fresh look.

A perfect result
James Marklew, Director at the Colour Render Company, said: “When we first visited Yew Tree Cottage, we could tell it was going to be a complicated project due to the condition of the building and the many different substrates to the exterior.
“From previous experience, we knew that Johnstone’s Trade would be able to provide product advice and technical support at every stage of the task, from specification through to application, and we were not disappointed. Not only did they provide a simple and highly effective solution for every difficulty we encountered, it was great knowing that if we needed their assistance, we could just pick up the phone. By the end of the project we had transformed the old and rather ramshackle cottage into an attractive and contemporary property to be proud of.”