George Watson’s College – Music School Exterior Timber Restoration
Specialist Restoration & Redecoration
of the Music School Exterior
Thistle Decorators was appointed to carry out an extensive programme of exterior timber restoration and redecoration to the Music School at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh.
The project involved a significant amount of existing varnished timber across the building, including windows, doors, panelling, fascias and high-level architectural features.
Rather than simply applying a new coating over the existing surfaces, the timber required careful preparation and specialist treatment before the exterior decorating system could be applied.
The completed works combined detailed timber preparation, antifungal treatment, wood hardening, specialist adhesion priming and a high-performance GORI 88 finish, together with cherry picker and access equipment for challenging high-level areas.
Project Overview
- Client: George Watson’s College
- Location: Colinton Road, Edinburgh
- Project: Music School Exterior Timber Restoration & Redecoration
- Decorating Contractor: Thistle Decorators
- Main Finish: GORI 88
- Primer: Otex Adhesion Primer
- Specialist Preparation: Antifungal Treatment & Wood Hardener
- Access: Cherry Picker & Aluminium Tower
- Key Requirement: Restore and Protect Extensive Existing Exterior Timberwork
The Challenge
A major consideration on the Music School was the condition and previous finish of the external timberwork.
Much of the existing woodwork had previously been varnished, meaning it required a different preparation process from conventionally painted exterior timber.
The surfaces needed extensive sanding and preparation to create a suitable foundation for the new coating system. Areas of deteriorated timber also required additional treatment before decoration, with antifungal treatment and wood hardener incorporated into the preparation process.
With large quantities of windows and panelling spread across several elevations, including difficult high-level areas, the project required careful planning from both a decorating and access perspective.
Extensive Timber Preparation
Preparation was one of the most important stages of the project.
The previously varnished timberwork was thoroughly sanded back before being treated as required. We used an antifungal treatment to address fungal and biological growth before applying further coatings.
Areas requiring additional consolidation were treated with wood hardener, helping strengthen and stabilise deteriorated timber before the decorating system was introduced.
Surface defects were also prepared and repaired before the timber moved on to the priming stage.
This methodical approach meant the existing timberwork was properly prepared and treated before receiving its new protective finish, rather than simply being covered with another coat of paint.
Otex Adhesion Primer
After preparation and treatment, Otex Adhesion Primer was applied to the timberwork.
This was particularly important given the previously varnished surfaces. Otex is a specialist adhesion primer designed to provide suitable bonding to challenging and previously coated substrates.
The primer created an appropriate bridge between the existing timber surfaces and the new exterior coating system, helping the subsequent finish adhere correctly.
For restoration projects involving previously coated timber, selecting the appropriate primer is an important part of achieving a durable finished system.
GORI 88 Exterior Finish
Once the timber had been correctly prepared, treated and primed, the Music School was finished using GORI 88.
The coating provided a decorative and protective finish designed for exterior timberwork, helping protect restored woodwork against the demands of the external environment.
The combination of careful preparation, timber treatment, Otex Adhesion Primer and GORI 88 created a complete decorating system rather than a purely cosmetic repaint.
For a building containing such a significant amount of external timberwork, long-term protection was an important consideration alongside the appearance of the completed project.
Scope of Works
The Music School contained a considerable amount of exterior joinery and architectural detailing.
Our works extended across the different elevations and included:
- Entrance clad ceiling
- Cupola and sides
- Double entrance doors and surrounds
- Multi-pane windows
- Vent cover
- Individual windows
- Timber window panelling
- Large windows to the car park elevation
- Large 16-pane window
- Corner windows
- Doors and sidelights
- Soffits
- High-level windows
- High-level timber panelling
- Fascias and structural elements
- Steel post
The range and scale of these elements made the project considerably more involved than a straightforward exterior window redecoration.
Large & Multi-Pane Windows
A particularly detailed aspect of the Music School was the variety of window configurations.
These ranged from individual windows and three-panel arrangements through to large multi-pane windows, corner windows and a substantial 16-pane window.
Each contained numerous edges, joints and individual sections requiring careful preparation and finishing.
The quantity and complexity of the glazing also required additional care during preparation and coating to achieve clean, consistent lines across the completed elevations.
High-Level Works &
Cherry Picker Access
A substantial part of the Music School exterior was positioned at height.
This included high-level windows, timber panelling, fascias and structural features, requiring specialist access equipment to complete the works safely and effectively.
The project incorporated cherry picker access and an aluminium tower, allowing our decorators to reach the different elevations and high-level architectural elements.
Ground and roof protection also formed part of the access planning.
Using the appropriate equipment gave our decorators a suitable working position from which to undertake the same detailed sanding, preparation, treatment, priming and finishing process at height as was carried out at ground level.
Protecting Existing Timber Rather Than Simply Repainting
The Music School project demonstrates the difference between exterior timber restoration and straightforward maintenance painting.
Previously varnished timber, areas affected by biological growth and sections requiring consolidation all needed to be addressed before the decorative finish could be considered.
The process involved:
- Sanding previously varnished timber
- Treating affected areas with antifungal solution
- Applying wood hardener where required
- Preparing and repairing surface defects
- Applying Otex Adhesion Primer
- Finishing with GORI 88
- Completing detailed work around large and multi-pane windows
- Using specialist access equipment for high-level areas
Each stage contributed to the performance and appearance of the completed system.
The Result
The completed project provided the George Watson’s College Music School with a comprehensive restoration and refresh of its extensive external timberwork.
Previously varnished and weathered surfaces were carefully prepared and treated before being transformed with the new protective coating system.
From the entrance doors and windows through to the cupola, large multi-pane windows, high-level panelling and fascias, the same attention to preparation and finishing was maintained throughout.
The project demonstrates Thistle Decorators’ ability to undertake large-scale exterior timber restoration where specialist products, challenging substrates and high-level access all need to be carefully coordinated.
School & Heritage-Style Exterior Decorating in Edinburgh
Thistle Decorators provides professional exterior painting, timber restoration and specialist decorating services for schools, colleges, commercial properties and traditional buildings throughout Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Our services include:
- Exterior timber restoration
- Previously varnished timber preparation
- Window and door restoration
- Antifungal treatment
- Timber consolidation and wood hardening
- Specialist adhesion primers
- GORI exterior coating systems
- Multi-pane window decoration
- Fascias and soffits
- High-level timberwork
- Cherry picker / MEWP access
- Aluminium tower access
- Planned exterior maintenance
Project Gallery
Does Your Exterior Timberwork Need More Than Another Coat of Paint?
Older or previously varnished exterior timber often requires considerably more preparation than a conventional maintenance repaint.
Correctly assessing the substrate and using the appropriate treatments, primers and exterior coating systems can help restore and protect existing timberwork rather than allowing deterioration to continue beneath a new decorative finish.
Contact Thistle Decorators to discuss exterior timber restoration, specialist coatings or planned maintenance for your property.
