HATAITAI: Kainui Road, Wellington

New Zealand Silver Award 'Rework Interior Contemporary'

Reasons why this Property Won

Properties Composition

Kainui Road is an elevated site with views to the South overlooking Evans Bay and Wellington Airport.  The stunning outlook from the property is fully appreciated with a path zig-zagging up to the master bedroom deck. The site, coupled with its double story construction, ensures the 1917-character home has all day sun and expansive views to the South. The completed external works complement the properties fully restored interior, providing modern living in a 100-year-old home.

Paint Condition, Identification and Process

When quoting the exterior of the home, we inspected the surfaces and observed many areas showing crazed cracking, peeling and flaking paint. This allowed us to identify the initial undercoat applied on the exterior, at its time of construction, had failed. With the underlying coats having failed, we quoted to strip surfaces back to bare timber, whereby several coats of paint applied to the properties 100-year existence were removed. During the paint removal process it became obvious that the house was in desperate need of repair to its timberwork and joinery surfaces. While the scaffold was erected, the client made the decision to have the rusted galvanised window flashings and hinges replaced with stainless steel and to have the window sashes re-hung with correct clearances. A chimney was also removed due to being an earthquake risk. All material was removed from the site and safely disposed of.

The iron roof was also replaced and in doing so revealed the original asbestos roof beneath. The Building was encapsulated, asbestos removed and new coloursteel roof installed.

Timbers

The weatherboards, bargeboards, entrance porch, windows and doors were Matai and Cedar. The weatherboard profile consisted of rusticated weatherboards to the ground floor and bevel-back weatherboards to the upper level. Rotten timbers were replaced with many weatherboards custom machined to ensure a seemless transition from existing to newly installed timbers.

Dealing with lead based paint

Removing lead based paints is synonymous with old Wellington homes and Kainui Road was no exception.

Stripping paint from any house built before 1978 raises the question of lead. Given the number of coats on the Kainui Road house, we had no doubt about the presence of the heavy metal. Tests were carried out proved positive to the paints containing lead. Measures and steps were taken to remove and contain the lead by drop-sheeting the surrounding areas and gardens and using our industrial outdoor vacuum to keep areas clean and free from contaminates. With doing this type of work, to this style of property and in Wellington city, meant we were faced with the biggest challenge of all, the weather. We carefully planned our days to remove paint from the building, waiting on days that were still or with little wind. This avoided stripped material from being blowing around the section or onto neighbouring properties. The material contained on drop sheets was then simply bagged and disposed of appropriately in accordance to its requirements.

Paint strip method used

There are three basic methods for stripping paint-grinding, applying heat, and using chemicals. All of them are hard work because the same binders that cause paint to adhere make it hard to remove. We considered using several different methods before making our final choice. All paint-stripping approaches have advantages and disadvantages, just as every paint-stripping job is a little different from another. However, with the age of this house and the evidence of multiple paint layers, we chose to apply heat to all surfaces, as liquid stripping would have required many applications and subsequently prove to be a costly exercise. Heat stripping is our preferred removal option of choice, it requires careful attention to both the surfaces being heated, as well as avoiding surrounded areas such as downpipes, spouting, electrical cabling, gas piping and glass etc. Our guys are efficient and methodical in using heat and are aware of potential risks. This awareness within our company and our staff, has allowed us to provide a cost-effective heat stripping option to our Clients for the last 12 years and with great success.

As with all stripping methods that involve removal of coatings to bare wood, rusted nails are exposed and were subsequently nail punched and treated. Surfaces were then sanded before the first coat of primer was applied. Scrapers have a tendency to burnish the wood, making it too smooth and shiny to take paint. We machine sanded surfaces with 80-grit sandpaper to get a good tooth for the first coat of primer to adhere to.

Dulux Total prep was applied as the first coat followed by contract filling of holes and indentations. All surfaces were again sanded, filled areas primed and gap sealant applied. Two coats of Weathershield X10 Semi gloss were applied as a finishing coat. The Windows were finished in Dulux Aqua-enamel gloss with the front door in Resene Lustcryl.

Picking the new colour palette

While the exterior paint was being stripped we also worked with the homeowners to confirm the colours to be applied. Keeping in mind:

• Radiosity – a rendering method that simulates light reflecting off one surface onto another;
• The properties surrounding environment – trees, neighbouring houses, shaded and sunny areas etc.;
• The properties construction, look and feel;
• The fading of a colour over time.

We like to let the houses character, construction and surroundings speak for themselves, and the colour to simply linking all these key elements together to produce a beautiful looking home.

Distinguishing Features

• A 2-story home on a sloping section.
• Multiple French doors and exit points to outdoor entertaining.
• Elevated section off the street with views over the Wellington International Airport and surrounding suburbs.
• Bay windows on the front and side of the house to enhance the era of the home, size, outlook and street appeal.
• Vibrant door colour.
• Features of its era have been maintained and retained, providing elegant lightness to complement its solid construction.

Products Used

• Dulux Total Prep
• Dulux Enamel Primer and Undercoat
• Dulux Weathershield X10 Semi-gloss
• Dulux Aqua-enamel gloss
• Resene Lustcryl

The property was completed late August and has been the discussion of many in the suburb. The clients are extremely happy with the processes quoted and the workmanship with which it was carried out. They set about the enormous task in not only having their home painted, but also having all existing paint stripped from top to bottom. All maintenance work was done as discovered and in doing so, protected the properties character and integrity. They are thrilled with the properties look and feel and have restored it to its former glory while introducing today’s modern colour scheme.

The owners are enjoying the fact that there is little to do around the home except sit back and enjoy what has been achieved.

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If you would like a no obligation quote Contact Jeff at Whisk Now