Brick and render on Fordham homes
On rendered houses, hairline cracks let water behind the paint and it blows in patches. We rake out and fill cracks, treat algae with an anti-fungal wash and use a breathable masonry paint so moisture can leave the wall. Our masonry and render page covers products in more detail.
Painting bare brick is a bigger decision, because it's hard to undo. Graham will give an honest view on whether it suits your house, and our brick painting page sets out the pros and cons.
Fordham's conservation area and listed houses
Fordham has a designated conservation area and 29 listed buildings, from St Peter's church to Grade II houses on Mill Lane. Around 18% of homes in the Fordham area were built before 1919. If your house is listed or in the conservation area, check with East Cambridgeshire District Council before changing an outside colour.
For newer houses, the work is usually fascias, soffits, bargeboards, front doors and garage doors rather than whole elevations. We survey everything and list it, so you can choose what to do now.
Fordham at a glance
- 19 milesby road from our Landbeach base, about 24 minutesOSRM routing
- 96%are houses rather than flatsCensus 2021
- 45%of homes are detachedCensus 2021
- 18%of properties were built before 1919VOA Council Tax stock
- 1conservation arealocal council
- 12%were built 1945 to 1964VOA Council Tax stock
How we approach exterior painting
Our approach starts with a survey and a wash: dirt and algae off, then drying time. Flaking paint is scraped to a firm edge, timber sanded and primed, and render cracks filled and allowed to cure. Glass, paths and plants are covered. Masonry paint goes on in two coats, and timber gets undercoat and a top coat, all in dry weather. The full method, products and FAQs are on our exterior painting page.