Extension to Takapuna arts & crafts cottage

When it comes to repainting a heritage home in Takapuna, the margin for error is slim. Salt air accelerates paint failure, weatherboards hide years of moisture damage, and original architectural detail demands a careful hand. Wall Treats have been restoring and protecting Takapuna's finest homes since 2003. And this project is a prime example of how we do it.

Project Brief

Our clients came to us with a classic Takapuna villa in need of a full exterior repaint. The home had not been painted in over a decade, and the coastal environment had taken its toll  - chalking, peeling, and surface corrosion were visible across the weatherboards, fascias, and window joinery. The brief was clear: restore the home to its original character while applying a protective system capable of withstanding Takapuna's harsh coastal conditions for years to come.

Technical Challenges

Takapuna sits directly on the Waitemata Harbour, meaning homes in the area face elevated salt exposure year-round. This rules out standard residential paint systems, which are not formulated to resist chloride-driven corrosion. Additional challenges on this project included:

• Substrate preparation — multiple layers of old paint required full mechanical stripping in high-corrosion zones before priming

• Moisture management — weatherboards on the southern face showed early signs of rot, requiring spot repairs before painting could begin

• Heritage colour matching — the owners wanted to retain the home's original palette, requiring careful colour referencing against the existing paintwork and period records

Our Approach

Wall Treats owner Daniel Zapata led the project on-site from day one. Every Wall Treats job is owner-led — we don't subcontract, and we don't cut corners on preparation.

For this Takapuna heritage repaint, we specified a high-build, coastal-grade exterior system with enhanced alkali and salt resistance. All bare and repaired timber was treated with a penetrating primer before the full paint system was applied. Window joinery and decorative detailing were cut in by hand to preserve the home's original character.

Our project coordinator, Ashley Wong, managed client communication throughout — keeping the homeowners informed at every stage and ensuring the project finished on schedule.

The Outcome

The finished result is a home that looks as good as it was built — with a paint system engineered to last in Takapuna's coastal environment. The owners received a five-year workmanship guarantee as standard, alongside a full specification sheet of the products used for future maintenance reference.

If you own a heritage home in Takapuna and it's due for a repaint, arrange a site visit with Wall Treats today. We'll scope the work accurately, advise on the right system for your home's exposure level, and give you a detailed, no-obligation quote.