Navigating the world of paint specification isn’t always easy, especially when time and budget is limited. This article is designed to provide you with guidance and support to ensure you make the right specification for every social housing project. Sam Forth, National Sector Manager for Social Housing at Dulux Decorator Centre, will delve into the best paints to use for different projects, how to extend maintenance cycles, the key legislation to adhere to and much more, to help you make informed decisions.
What are the key paint products for social housing projects?
Whether you are updating a building exterior, adding a splash of colour to a corridor or refreshing a bedroom, the type of paint needed will differ. However, here are some of the key products to consider for social housing projects:
- Weathershield Smooth Masonry: This durable, weather resistant exterior paint is easy to apply and offers excellent opacity, ensuring a uniform and vibrant finish. Its formulation inhibits the growth of mould and algae, which helps maintain the appearance and integrity of exterior surfaces over time, reducing maintenance needs.
- Dulux Trade Weathershield Quick Dry Exterior Gloss: This product offers a high gloss finish for exterior trim and woodwork - and eight years of all-weather protection. Thanks to its water-based formulation, it helps to improve sustainability and reduce a project’s carbon footprint.
- Dulux Trade Diamond Matt: This tough and cleanable emulsion provides a smooth, uniform matt finish. The unique Stain Repellent Technology makes it ideal for high-traffic areas, such as entryways and corridors, as it resists stains and allows for easy cleaning, keeping walls looking pristine with minimal effort.
- Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt: With its cleanable matt finish and ultimate scuff-resistant technology, this paint is perfect for areas prone to wear and tear. It helps keep walls looking fresher for longer by resisting scuffs and marks, making it a great choice for high traffic areas, such as communal hallways
- Dulux Trade Stain Block Matt: This is a 2-in-1, problem solving primer and topcoat that seals and binds surfaces and blocks common stains.
How can I extend maintenance cycles?
Extending maintenance cycles not only saves time but also reduces labour and product costs. Some paints are specifically formulated to last for longer periods of time, so you don’t need to complete regular touch ups. For instance, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is designed for high-traffic areas as it resists stains and can withstand repeated cleaning, helping walls stay cleaner for longer. It also has the added benefit of being 99.9% VOC free, so it not only helps to extend maintenance cycles but also contributes to improved environmental efficiency over the total life cycle of the building.
How can I prevent the development of mould and mildew in my properties?
Damp and mould can affect any property, especially as the cold weather sets in. Apart from being unsightly, they can cause serious health issues if left untreated. To ensure damp and mould don’t become recurring issues, you need to treat the issue before applying paint. This can be done by cleaning with a fungicidal wash and ensuring good ventilation in the property.
Once the damp and mould are removed, it is important to apply the right paint to prevent recurring issues. Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Matt is a good option. This durable, water-based paint is designed for indoor walls and ceilings affected by mould or damp. It contains antifungal chemicals to keep mould at bay, providing high-quality, long-lasting results.
What key pieces of legislation do I need to be aware of?
The most significant piece of recent legislation is The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which is designed to ensure safer, healthier homes and provides landlords with clear guidance on how to achieve this. It includes provisions like dealing with damp and mould in a timely manner and ensuring those in charge of managing social housing are adequately trained and competent.
What colours do you recommend for use in social housing?
When used correctly, colour can transform any space, making it feel more homely and comforting. This is especially important in social housing, where creating a welcoming environment can significantly enhance the well-being of residents. By thoughtfully selecting colours, you can create environments that not only look good but also feel good, making a positive impact on everyone who lives in and visits the premises.
When choosing the colours for a project it is important to think about the overall use of the space and the atmosphere you want to create. The Dulux Trade Colour of the Year collection is a great starting point, as it provides a range of tones that can be used together to make spaces feel uplifting and inviting.
For additional inspiration, the Dulux Trade Colour Schemer can provide sample colour schemes tailored to the social housing sector. If you need further assistance, the Dulux Trade Colour Commercial Services team is available to offer expert support and provide colour chips directly to you.
Why should I consider the Dulux Decorator Centre tenant voucher scheme?
Keeping abreast of property maintenance can be time consuming for building owners. However, our tenant voucher scheme can make the process easier.
The scheme provides residents with vouchers that they can use to purchase paint and decorating supplies. This initiative aims to empower tenants to take an active role in maintaining and improving their living spaces, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their homes.
We provide a choice of paint packs to suit different property sizes, and each one has been developed based on feedback from housing associations and local authorities - so you can trust that they contain the best products for the job. Once the appropriate pack has been selected, all tenants need to do is choose the paint colour.
The scheme is easy to use, and everything can be managed through the online portal, where you can order and authorise packs, make payments, and receive reporting. Building owners will also only be invoiced once the paint pack voucher has been redeemed by the tenant.
Find out more at: Social Housing | Dulux Decorator Centre.
How can Dulux Decorator Centre support me and my business?
If you have maintenance staff on site that that are keen to develop their painting and decorating skills, Dulux Decorator Centre, in partnership with Dulux Academy, offers a wide range of painting and decorating courses. This industry leading training can help to train your team at any stage of their careers. For more information on the courses available, and to find your nearest training centre, click here.
How can Dulux Decorator Centre support us with our sustainability objects?
At Dulux Decorator Centre, we are dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility. As well as our own company commitments, we also support our customers to achieve their own sustainability goals.
Our commitments to sustainability mean that we will support you in switching from solvent-based paints to water-based solutions. We can also help customers responsibly dispose of empty paint cans via our free can recycling service.
We are also dedicated to supporting local communities and the next generation of painter and decorators. We are aiming to positively impact 1% of the UK population by 2030 through decorating community spaces and with training. We do this through our partnerships with organisations like CRASH and Volunteer It Yourself (VIY). As well as donating product and time, we work with our customers to ensure they can support on projects too. To help customers showcase the impact made, will provide impact results based on contributions to a project.