Grade II Listed Stucco Townhouse Exterior Restoration

The Challenge

The extent of paint failure was far greater than initial inspections suggested: once scaffolding was in place, large sections of the stucco facade were found to have debonded from the brick substrate beneath, requiring careful removal and reinstatement rather than simple surface preparation. The Royal Borough's conservation officer required a material sample board and colour swatch to be submitted and approved before masonry painting could commence, adding a two-week lead time. The eight sash windows ranged from accessible ground-floor bays to a fourth-floor dormer, each requiring individual assessment and preparation.

Our Approach

We submitted a detailed specification and colour approval to the Royal Borough's conservation team, including a Sandtex Smooth Masonry sample panel in Bone White fixed to the facade for the officer's review. Approval secured, we systematically stripped all failed masonry paint using a combination of high-pressure washing and mechanical disc preparation. Areas of debonded stucco were cut back cleanly to the brick, and the facade was rebuilt using a lime-based render mortar compatible with the original Victorian stucco composition. All repaired areas were allowed to cure for a minimum of two weeks before coating. The full facade received a stabilising primer followed by two coats of Sandtex Smooth Masonry in Bone White, applied by roller and brush to maintain the flat texture characteristic of stucco. All eight sash windows were stripped to sound substrate using the Speedheater infra-red system, re-puttied where glass had lifted, primed with Zinsser BIN on bare timber, and finished with three coats of Dulux Trade Weathershield Exterior Gloss in Brilliant White.

The Result

The restored facade is a considerable improvement on the property's condition when we began, with all areas of debonded render replaced and a fresh, uniform masonry finish that the conservation officer approved without conditions. The crisp white of the new paint scheme complements the sash window joinery and front door, restoring the townhouse to the standard expected on one of Chelsea's most sought-after garden squares. The client received written confirmation from the Royal Borough that the completed works were in compliance with the listed building consent conditions.