Period craftsmanship provides a real connection to the past, something made especially meaningful by Edinburgh's rich architectural heritage. The uniform buildings of the New Town, with their classical beauty, contrast with the winding medieval fabric of the Old Town; together, they define the city's unique character. Though more recent in origin, preserving the Georgian features of the New Town is essential to maintaining that legacy.
In this full-flat renovation, the RAPT Projects team faced the challenge of blending new redwood skirting with the existing, previously painted timber. The aim was to achieve a consistent, high-end finish while respecting the original features. Our range of Tikkurila paints and fillers played a central role in delivering the durable, elegant and uniform result that the client desired.
Surface Preparation
The team started by lightly sanding the new wood to open up the grain. Where possible, the original skirting was salvaged, and old, unsound paint was stripped back using tungsten scrapers. A combination of electric sanders and hand sanders was used to bring the wood back to a smooth, refined finish. Finally, the old timber was carefully filled and repaired, essentially "made new" to ensure seamless integration with the new skirting boards.
Filling and Priming
To maintain continuity, the new box skirting was matched to the period profile and primed with Ultra Primer, which is typically used on exteriors, but due to its stain-blocking properties, the team opted to use it on this new timber. Its easy application and compatibility with fillers made it an ideal foundation in this project. A minimum of two coats were applied with fine surface prep in between, including corking and detailed filling.
For previously painted wood, Otex Akva was selected for its strong adhesion properties. Although slower to dry, it offers unbeatable grip, forming a robust bond between the substrate and finish.
Between the primer and topcoats, Helmi Furniture Filler was used to fill minor defects on the wood surface, giving the substrate an ultra-smooth, glass-like finish that is hardwearing, ideal for skirting.
Products used
Ready-mixed filler for interior furniture. Ideal for filling small cracks and holes in wood- Otex AkvaMatt
Highly-adhesive, water-based primer for tricky surfaces. Matt, quick-drying finish. - Ultra PrimerMatt
An advanced, stain-blocking primer for exterior wood. Prevents wood bleed & the appearance of resin
Painting
For the final stage, the team applied Helmi 10, a self-levelling water-based topcoat with a refined matt sheen, perfect for a period-appropriate look. Though two coats are typically recommended, three coats were applied to allow for additional preparation and to increase long-term durability. This approach gave the woodwork an elegant, uniform appearance and provided extra resilience for daily wear.
Topcoat
- Helmi 10Matt
Hard-wearing, water-based, acrylic paint for interior wood and furniture in a matt finish (10% )
The Result
This project was part of a larger renovation where the clients prioritised visual flow and consistency. By reintroducing period-style skirting in rooms where it had previously been removed and using the same colour matched shade on all woodwork, the decorators were able to create a harmonious and timeless finish throughout the property.
This restoration demonstrates the value of a methodical, product-led approach to working in heritage properties. Our primers, fillers, and topcoats supported the team at every stage, from preparation to the final coat, helping achieve a smooth, durable, and elegant finish that celebrates the property's historical character while delivering modern durability.