The Building Research Establishment is leading a study which aims to get better value for money and improved customer satisfaction from coatings used for building refurbishments and upgrades.
The project, funded by the DTI and industry, is highlighting existing best practice to improve specifications for correct site preparation and product selection. It also seeks to improve monitoring and quality control, plus develop performance quality schemes to give customers approved products and suppliers.
Information is now being collated with a view to publishing a best practice guidance package.
Particular focus is being put on planned maintenance painting and partnerships with contractors and coatings manufacturers. Such partnering agreements are usually for five year periods and ensure that premature coating failures are put right at no cost to the housing stock owner.
Critical factors already identified for successful planned maintenance painting are training (painter’s skill level), performance (quality of the painting job, workmanship, surface preparation, repair) and satisfaction (client and tenant).
