Project Sentiment
Our client provided some positive feedback on the overall quality of the workmanship, with specific recognition of Juan, the site foreman. His attention to detail, care and proactive communication was very much appreciated.
Pittwater Rd, Collaroy
Strata painting
Project Value: $140,800
Duration: Approx 10 weeks (staged to suit access and occupancy)
Status: Complete
This residential strata painting project involved a full external repaint, along with selected internal service areas, of a building in a high-exposure coastal environment.
Project Overview
The full project scope covered areas such as eaves linings, rendered walls, FC panel walls to the top level, balcony parapet walls, soffits and slab edges, timber window framing, rendered garden walls at ground level, bin room internals and ground level white timber fencing, including courtyards. We also provided professional colour advice at no additional cost to support a refreshed, cohesive finish.
We had three key priorities: protecting the building from harsh marine conditions such as salt exposure, moisture and high winds, resetting the maintenance cycle with a high-performance coating system, and updating the appearance. All works needed to be delivered with minimal disruption to residents.
The colour scheme was refreshed to feel more contemporary and consistent, while remaining sympathetic to the existing palette.
Access Methods
With our own scaffolding and access equipment for the duration of the project, Dukes could reduce reliance on third-party hire and have greater control over sequencing and safety.
We used a carefully designed scaffold, staged the works and implemented daily site management to maintain resident access throughout, while also protecting the established landscaped gardens and common areas.
Challenges
In addition to access challenges, working in a coastal location added extra challenges. Salt, moisture and wind-driven exposure meant we had to be especially thorough with surface preparation and pay close attention to coating thickness and film build to ensure maximum durability.
Careful preparation was key to the project’s success. This involved high-pressure washing, treating salt deposits and efflorescence, removing mildew, and allowing controlled drying before applying coatings.
“In an occupied coastal building, durability, planning and daily site care have to work together.”
Communication
All communication followed Dukes’ established strata delivery framework. The project began with a pre-start meeting with the owners’ representatives, followed by the issue of a detailed job program before works commenced.
From there, we had weekly communication between the Dukes foreman and the owners, supported by fortnightly meetings with the Dukes Project Manager. A formal sign-off meeting was held upon completion.
Coating System and Materials
The coating system was selected to suit the building’s coastal exposure and deliver long-term protection across all external surfaces:
- Supplier: Taubmans
- Primary system: Taubmans Armawall for external masonry and rendered surfaces
Why Armawall was used:
- Designed specifically for high-exposure coastal environments
- Strong resistance to salt, moisture and weathering
- Allows for robust coating thickness and film build to support durability
System approach:
- Substrate appropriate priming across all surfaces
- Two finish coats applied to achieve consistent coverage and long-term performance
Supporting systems:
- Acrylic coatings to masonry, concrete and soffits
- Oil-based spot priming to timber trims where required
Outcome
With its refreshed finish, the building now looks modern and well-maintained, giving owners confidence in both its appearance and durability.
Frequent Asked Questions
Why is strata painting more complex in coastal buildings vs inland buildings?
Coastal strata buildings face far harsher exposure conditions (salt, moisture, wind-driven weather), which means painting becomes a protection system, not just an appearance upgrade.
This project involved a building in a high-exposure coastal environment, and the key priorities included protecting it from salt exposure, moisture, and high winds.
These coastal conditions required extra attention to surface preparation, plus correct coating thickness and film build to maximise durability.
What areas are typically included in an external strata repaint (beyond just “walls”)?
A strata repaint usually includes multiple building elements and materials—not just rendered walls—because the goal is a consistent finish and full asset protection.
In this Pittwater Rd project, the scope included areas such as:
- Eaves linings
- Rendered walls
- FC panel walls (top level)
- Balcony parapet walls
- Soffits and slab edges
- Timber window framing
- Rendered garden walls
- Bin room internals
- Timber fencing and courtyards
What does “surface preparation” really involve in strata painting (and why does it matter)?
Surface preparation is one of the most important cost-and-longevity drivers in strata painting, because coatings only perform properly when the substrate is clean, stable and dry.
For this project, preparation was critical and involved:
- High-pressure washing
- Treating salt deposits and efflorescence
- Removing mildew
- Allowing controlled drying before applying coatings
In an occupied coastal building, success comes from combining durability, planning and daily site care.
How long did the Pittwater Rd, Collaroy strata painting project take, and how was it managed around residents?
The Pittwater Rd, Collaroy project ran for approximately 10 weeks, and it was staged to suit access and occupancy so residents could continue living in the building with minimal disruption.
Dukes also managed this through structured communication and scheduling, including a pre-start meeting, a detailed job program, weekly communication, and fortnightly project manager meetings, finishing with a formal sign-off meeting.
What coating system was used at Pittwater Rd, Collaroy — and why was it chosen?
Dukes selected a Taubmans coating system, with Taubmans Armawall as the primary external system for masonry and rendered surfaces, because the building is in a high-exposure coastal environment.
Armawall was chosen specifically for its resistance to salt, moisture and weathering, and because it supports robust coating thickness/film build to improve long-term durability.
The system approach included substrate-appropriate priming and two finish coats to achieve consistent coverage and long-term performance.
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