Dulux Trade has provided an expert coating specification to deliver improved thermal performance for a detached Victorian property located in Tonbridge School, Kent. Looking for improvements, both internally and externally, the new Dulux Trade Plus Range offered the ideal solution.
The four-bedroom Victorian property houses a member of Tonbridge School’s teaching staff and family onsite. As an older building, there was a growing concern surrounding its thermal efficiency. Made from solid wall construction, the property suffered from damp as well as extensive heat loss through the walls, reducing the inside temperature significantly. Tonbridge School was keen to find a product that could help improve the thermal performance – without disturbing the existing solid wall structure.
In response to this brief, the Dulux Trade expert team proposed a bespoke specification which included the newly launched Dulux Trade Plus range. The new Plus range offers innovative coatings designed specifically to help improve the thermal efficiency of the UK’s aging housing stock.
Dulux Trade Plus Thermacoat+ is a revolutionary 3-part coating system comprised of an innovative basecoat with insulating properties, a leveling fiberglass fleece and a Dulux Trade Plus Smooth & Protect+ finish. Applied to all of the interior externally facing walls of the property, the Thermacoat+ system is just 6mm thick once complete; making it an ideal solution for this project, as maximising space was key to the refurbishment – all whilst reducing heat loss through walls, improving room warm up times and resident comfort.
With the Dulux Trade Plus Thermacoat+ new to the market, it was important that the painting subcontractor and appliers on the project had both the skills and the knowledge to successfully apply it. As such, they attended a training day at the purpose built Dulux Academy in Slough. This offered an opportunity for the appliers to gain insight on the details of Thermacoat+ and best practice to follow when applying it to ensure the best possible finish and performance.
In order to further enhance the thermal performance of the building, a second product from the new Dulux Trade Plus range was used. Due to the property previously suffering from damp, the school’s project team required a product that would help prevent rain penetrating the exterior walls and creating damp inside the property. SmartShield+ is an invisible waterproof coating that reduces water ingress on exterior brickwork when compared to untreated substrates and thus provided an ideal solution.
“Once onsite, we were particularly impressed by the fast spray application method of SmartShield+,” commented Tonbridge School. “The application was really easy and fast, meaning that the project could be completed efficiently. Initially, we were concerned that there may be a sheen left behind by SmartShield+, however once applied it was completely invisible and we are delighted that the building can be protected whilst maintaining its traditional look and feel. We’ve been impressed by the level of involvement of the Dulux Trade team, from delivering crucial training to attending site during application.”
Tony Westgarth, Technical Support Manager at Dulux Trade commented: “This was a particularly exciting project for me as it was my first opportunity to work with the Dulux Trade Plus range onsite. Internally, once the Thermacoat+ was finished with Dulux Trade Diamond Matt there were no visible alterations to the inside of the property – leaving an exceptional finish.”
For more information on the new Dulux Trade Plus, visit: www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk or contact your local Dulux representative.