Door Restoration in Brixton – Hand-Stripping & Repainting on Site
Original features are at the very heart of a heritage property. Unfortunately, many property owners rush to replace period features when age starts to take its toll. At Fortis & Hooke, we think there is a better way.
You should never underestimate the effect a fresh coat of paint can have on a fatigued and forlorn façade. When it comes to the main entrance of a residential property, that maxim becomes doubly true, since the doorway is the first thing that visitors will set eyes upon. Therefore, ensuring the front door presents a pristine aesthetic is paramount to creating a good first impression.
It was for this reason that Fortis & Hooke were recently contacted regarding a property in Brixton, London, which was home to a beautiful set of Edwardian period double doors badly in need of a paint job. Although the doors themselves were fine examples of early 20th century craftmanship, their surface had become tired, flaky and in desperate need of some tender loving care. Fortis & Hooke were on hand and more than happy to provide it.
INITIAL INSPECTION
At the outset of the project, the client indicated that they wanted our technicians to rub down and paint the door onsite. Although we would normally remove the door from its hinges and replace it with a temporary alternative to allow us the time and space to give it thorough treatment in our workshop, the client stipulated that they preferred the work to be undertaken in-situ on this occasion.
After beginning the work, the client then decided that a full strip-down of the door would be a more appropriate course of action, prior to rubbing, treating and painting the wood. With our tools and technicians already in place, we completed the job onsite within a matter of hours, incurring minimal disruption to the homeowner’s daily routine.
ONSITE COORDINATION
Given that we were required to work on location and not in our workshop (as we customarily do), this project represented several unique challenges. Nonetheless, we were able to quickly, efficiently and professionally strip the timber, before rubbing it down to remove any impurities or surface blemishes and treating it with a weatherproof solution.
Additionally, the client indicated that they would like the geography of the door to be altered. This involved removing both the locking mechanism and letterbox from the door and relocating them to another position, in itself no small undertaking. Finally, the presence of fragile windows in their door meant that it was necessary to contract a glass specialist and work in tandem with them to achieve the desired results.
A NEW LEASE OF LIFE
Despite the unique circumstances of the project and the complexity of coordinating our operations with another team, Fortis & Hooke once again showed why we command a reputation for exemplary door restoration services. Thanks to our efforts and the expertise of the glass specialists with whom we tackled the project, we were able to successfully remodel and repaint the door without removing it from its hinges.
The fruit of our labours is a transformation from an attractive but aging Edwardian entranceway into a vibrant new set of double doors with an eye-catching colour and design. Alongside the brand-new frosted windows, these alterations contribute to a finished product that has delighted the client and kept their grand home in keeping with the stately theme of the surrounding properties.