Handrail, Metalwork & Woodwork Painting for Communal Areas
Communal handrails and metalwork get painted badly more often than any other element in a block. Rust spotted but not isolated, gloss applied over chalking, brushmarks left because the operative was rushing — all of it shortens the life of the coating by years.
We treat metalwork and woodwork as substrate-first work. The finish doesn't matter if the primer isn't right for the underlying material.
What we paint
- Stair handrails, balustrades, spindles and newels — timber or metal
- External railings, gates and bollards
- Communal entrance and fire door frames and architraves
- Skirting, dado rails and panelling
- Cast-iron and aluminium downpipes
- Window frames — timber, ali, uPVC overpaint
Prep before paint
- Mechanical sand back to sound substrate
- Wire-brush and wash on rusted metalwork
- Zinc-rich or rust-converting primer on bare ferrous metal
- Etch primer on galvanised, ali and previously-powder-coated surfaces
- Knotting and acrylic primer on bare timber
- Caulk to all junctions before topcoat
Topcoats
Communal timber: water-based satin (Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood, Tikkurila Helmi or equivalent) — cleanable, non-yellowing. Metalwork: two coats of direct-to-metal enamel, or a 2-pack system where the asset value justifies it (entrance gates, feature balustrades). Internal walls cutting into woodwork: hand-cut, never taped, so the line stays sharp without paint creep.
Frequently asked
Can you re-paint rusted metalwork?+
Yes. Wire-brush back to sound substrate, treat any pitting, prime with a zinc-rich or rust-inhibiting primer, then two coats of enamel. If the section has corroded through, we'll flag it and recommend repair before paint.
Do you use solvent gloss?+
Rarely. Solvent gloss yellows badly in occupied stairwells. Modern water-based satinwoods are now durable enough that there's no reason to put up with the smell and the colour shift.
Can you paint stairwell spindles without spraying?+
Yes — and we usually do. Spraying in an occupied stairwell creates over-spray and lock-down time we can't justify. Hand-painted spindles, cut neatly, take longer but cause no disruption.
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Let's discuss your project
Whether it's a single room or a full home redecoration, we'd be glad to discuss your plans and provide a detailed, no-obligation quotation.
We are best suited to well-planned decorating projects — full rooms, multi-room redecorations, exteriors, spray finishes, panelling and commercial works.