Project Value: $100,000
Duration: 8 weeks
Status: Completed
Dukes was engaged to rejuvenate and protect the internal structure of the church, with a focus on the heritage timber ceiling, a beautiful, high-vaulted feature. The project involved repainting this within a large, open space.
The full project scope for the heritage timber ceiling included lining boards, exposed beams and structural supports, all requiring careful preparation and attention to detail. Works involved a full internal repaint of high-level timber surfaces, with minor repairs completed prior to coating to ensure a stable and consistent base for application of a durable semi-gloss system.
What the church wanted to achieve was an improved visual presentation of the space and to extend the service life of the timber elements.
A full birdcage scaffold system was designed and installed throughout the church to provide safe, continuous access across the entire ceiling. This was required due to the height, vaulted form and scale of the space, which spans a large open area.
The scaffold was carefully planned to ensure it could be installed without damaging or impacting the heritage structure, while still allowing full access to all timber elements.
All works were carried out within a live environment, with the church continuing its operations throughout. The programme was coordinated around weekly services and church activities to minimise disruption to the congregation and staff.
While working within an active place of worship, key challenges included complex access due to the height and scale of the ceiling, along with the heritage sensitivities of the structure. Despite this, we were able to achieve a consistent finish across large surface areas and multiple timber elements in varying conditions.
“Access and planning are what make a finish like this possible, not just the painting itself.”
This project was more than a simple repainting. It was a focused effort to restore and protect a heritage structure that serves as a place of worship. Our success at St Matthias Church was due to meticulous planning and precise execution, particularly through access design and our comprehensive understanding of timber substrates and coating systems.
A Dulux Weathershield Semi-Gloss system was selected to provide a durable finish suited to timber surfaces, while also enhancing the natural appearance of the ceiling elements.
We transformed the internal space with a high-quality, consistent finish across all ceiling elements. The works brought the timber ceiling back to life after many years between repaints. The refreshed finish has definitely enhanced the atmosphere and overall presentation.
We received an extremely positive response from this now-longstanding client to the finished result. It led to Dukes being engaged for further works across church assets, including comprehensive commercial painting solutions for the accommodation building on the premises, where lead paint remediation was also required, to prepare the space for new tenants.
Careful preparation, appropriate coating systems and controlled access are essential. In heritage settings, all works must respect the existing structure, with scaffolding and application methods designed to avoid impact or damage.
For large, high or vaulted spaces, a full birdcage scaffold system is typically required. This provides safe, continuous access and allows consistent preparation and application across all surfaces.
Yes, but it requires detailed planning and coordination. Works are scheduled around building use, with staging and access carefully managed to minimise disruption while maintaining safety and quality.
Durable coating systems suited to timber are used, often with a semi-gloss finish to protect the surface while enhancing its natural appearance. Product selection depends on the condition of the substrate and the environment.
Preparation ensures the surface is stable and suitable for coating. In heritage projects, this often includes minor repairs and careful treatment of existing materials to support adhesion and long-term durability.
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