Exterior Timber Cabin Restoration & Repainting
Extensive timber repairs, replacement bargeboards and a complete new coating system to restore and protect a heavily weathered timber cabin.
Overview
This exterior restoration involved considerably more than simply repainting the existing timber cabin. The previous coating had failed extensively, leaving areas of loose and flaking paint, exposed bare timber, failed sealant and localised timber decay.
The Brief
The cabin needed to be restored, protected and given a consistent new finish while retaining as much of the existing timber as reasonably possible.
Rather than painting over the deteriorated surfaces, the project required extensive removal of failed coatings, mechanical sanding, timber repairs and replacement work before decorating could begin.
Access was also important. Gutters, downpipes and gutter clips were removed where necessary so the timber behind them could be properly prepared and coated rather than simply working around existing fittings.Before We Started
The oak half-timbering was carefully sanded back to remove the silvered and weathered surface, revealing clean, sound timber underneath.
This was an important part of the restoration. Rather than trying to disguise the weathering with a surface coating, the preparation allowed the natural appearance of the oak itself to be recovered while providing a suitable base for protection.
The bare rendered elevations were also properly prepared before being primed and sealed ready for their new exterior coating system.
Before We Started
The previous exterior coating had lost adhesion across significant areas of the cabin, with loose and flaking paint exposing the timber beneath. Existing silicone and sealant had also failed around a number of joints.
There were localised areas of rotten and deteriorated timber throughout the structure, while the timber bargeboards along the roof verge were sufficiently decayed that retaining them was no longer a suitable option.
Before deciding how to approach each area, the condition of the existing timber was assessed so that sound material could be retained wherever possible and sections that had deteriorated too far could be replaced.
Preparation & Repairs
All loose and failed previous coatings were thoroughly scraped away before the timber cladding, corner details and window frames were extensively mechanically sanded. Where adhesion had failed completely, substantial areas were taken back to bare timber.
Old silicone and failed sealant were removed from affected joints as part of the preparation.
Where existing timber was suitable to retain but had become weakened by localised decay, a liquid resin wood hardener was used to penetrate and stabilise the affected areas before further preparation. Sections that had deteriorated beyond a suitable condition for repair were cut out and replaced with new timber.
The rotten roof verge bargeboards were removed completely. Suitable replacement timber was sourced, measured and cut to follow the existing roof angles and profiles, then prepared, primed and top coated before installation.
The new bargeboards were secured using stainless steel ring shank nails. Using stainless steel fixings helps avoid the corrosion and subsequent rust staining that conventional steel fixings can cause through an exterior painted finish.
The Work
Once the repairs and preparation were complete, all exposed bare timber was primed using Tikkurila Valtti Primer.
The prepared cabin then received a complete exterior coating system comprising two full coats of primer followed by two full topcoats of Tikkurila Valtti Opaque in Manor House Grey.
Applying the coating system to a properly prepared and stabilised surface was particularly important on this project. Rather than relying on a new topcoat to disguise the condition underneath, the failed material had first been removed and the underlying timber repaired or replaced as required.
Once the decorating was complete, the gutters and downpipes were reinstated.
The Finished Result
The completed cabin has been transformed from a heavily weathered exterior with widespread coating failure into a clean, consistent and properly protected timber structure.
Much of the most important work is no longer visible. Failed coatings were removed, weakened timber was stabilised where appropriate, deteriorated sections were replaced and the rotten roof verge bargeboards were completely renewed before the new coating system was applied.
The Manor House Grey finish gives the cabin a smart, cohesive appearance, but it's the extensive preparation and repair work beneath it that provides the foundation for the finished result.
Products Used
Primer: Tikkurila Valtti Primer
Topcoat: Tikkurila Valtti Opaque
Colour: Manor House Grey
Timber treatment: Liquid resin wood hardener
Timber repairs: Localised deteriorated timber stabilised or replaced as required, with roof verge bargeboards completely replaced
Fixings: Stainless steel ring shank nails
Coating system: Two full coats of primer followed by two full topcoats
Looking for Something Similar?
Whether you're planning a complete home redecoration or restoring original features, we'd be happy to discuss your project.
