The tallest tower block in the London Borough of Wandsworth has undergone a striking visual rejuvenation through the redecoration of all its softwood windows and hardwood cills with woodcare products from the Sikkens range.

The programme of improvements to the 27 storey Totteridge House has been led by the council's Technical Services Department Design Services Team, working in conjunction with the Totteridge House Co-operative which represents the tenants' interests.

Chief Surveyor, Mr Nigel Cornwell commented "in situations such as this the level of technical back-up which was on offer from Sikkens was a key factor. Totteridge House dates from the sixties and it had been some years since the outside had been renovated and the joinery was in a very bad state of repair. In order to control costs and minimise disruption to tenants it was decided to undertake the work using powered cradles suspended from the roof rather than scaffolding the entire building. We therefore needed to source a woodcare system that met the performance requirements with as few coats as possible".

Following consultations with Sikkens' Technical Department and site visits by Akzo Nobel Woodcare technical representatives, a specification was compiled which called for a system of Sikkens Cetol Novatech and Novatop preceded by thorough mechanical sanding and surface repair with Sikkens' Componex filler. Cetol Novatech/Novatop is a high solids, low solvent translucent system that provides exceptional levels of durability. The application was undertaken by Hilton Abbey Decorating Contractors.