Painting Hotel Balconies

Hotels are often built to benefit from picturesque views such as the sea, but this means hotel exteriors are exposed to the elements and will, therefore deteriorate over time through weathering. Balconies on front and rear elevations of hotels are mainly functional, providing a secluded place for people to relax and enjoy scenery, but they also add character to the façade of a building. This ‘character’ can easily be negative if the metalwork on balconies and windows isn’t maintained regularly. Any metal needs to be coated in order to protect it and for optimising aesthetics, so painting hotel balconies is a common aspect of the upkeep.

When hotel balconies need updating the following guideline for painting metalwork will be useful:

How to Paint a Hotel Balcony

1. Most hotels have multiple floors, so access is a key issue and health and safety must be a priority. A competent paint spraying company experienced in working at height will ensure that all their operatives have qualifications such as PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association) and IPAF (International Powered Access Federation). Professionals will ensure that the public are protected while they carry out the re-spray on hotel balconies.

2. Old flaking paint and rust needs to be removed from balcony railings with a wire brush, a mechanical sander or a chemical. This will prevent the final coating from peeling off and rust from spreading.

3. Any metal surface must be cleaned and degreased. If the substrate is grimy, the primer or topcoat will not last.

4. A good team will spend time masking up around each balcony thoroughly, so no accidental overspray reaches masonry or balcony furniture. Glass privacy screens or toughened glass balustrades will also need to be protected from overspray, but it is worth noting that glass can also be coated in order to alter balcony design.

5. Stainless steel or wrought iron railings on Juliet or other types of balconies can become cracked from weathering or as a result of ground movement (which is more likely to affect masonry). Furthermore, the coating on railings or other types of architectural metalwork can chip off or be dented through knocks from furniture and general wear and tear. Any cracks or marks can be filled with elastofill and then sanded down to result in a smooth surface when the top coat is spray applied.

6. The substrate will need to be primed for further protection and to enable the top coat to adhere to it adequately.

7. The final layer of paint can be chosen in any colour or finish and the most sophisticated technique for painting hotel balconies is electrostatic painting. With a wrap-around effect and an extremely high transference rate of coating to surface, overspray is limited to next to nothing yet the whole of the metal substrate will be evenly coated.

By following this methodology for painting hotel balconies, any façade can be refurbished to its former grandeur. This process will help attract guests as well as protecting the metalwork to reduce the need for replacing railings and other features.