When people think about commercial painting projects, they usually picture offices, warehouses, or retail buildings. But some of the most meaningful projects we take on are the ones tied to the communities around us.
That was the case with this exterior painting project for Hellam Church in York County, PA.
The church had been dealing with significant peeling paint, failing surfaces, and areas of exposed wood throughout the exterior. Like many older buildings in Central Pennsylvania, years of weather exposure had started to catch up with the property. Some sections had completely lost adhesion, while others showed signs of moisture damage and deterioration beneath the surface.
For us, this wasn’t a project where you could simply pressure wash and apply a fresh coat of paint. If the prep work wasn’t done correctly, the new coating system wouldn’t last. That’s where our team invested the majority of our time.
Starting with the prep work
We believe the quality of a paint job is determined long before the first coat of paint goes on. For this project, that meant extensive scraping, sanding, surface stabilization, and wood repairs across the church exterior.
Our crew carefully removed failing paint, addressed damaged areas, and repaired surfaces where needed before moving on to painting. We used Festool dustless sanding systems to properly prepare the substrate while keeping the jobsite clean and controlled throughout the process.
On projects like this, preparation is everything. You can’t cut corners on surface prep and expect long-term results, especially on older commercial and community buildings that face Pennsylvania’s changing weather year after year.
Before:
Preparing the exterior for long-term protection
Once the surfaces were stable and properly prepared, we moved into the repair and coating phase.
For areas with deteriorated wood, we used Abatron wood repair products to rebuild and strengthen damaged sections before painting. This allowed us to repair portions of the existing structure while improving durability and helping create a sound surface for the new coating system.
The final coating system included Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior, providing a durable, weather-resistant finish designed to stand up to moisture, seasonal temperature swings, and long-term UV exposure. More importantly, the work addressed the underlying issues instead of simply covering them up.
A commercial painting project built to last
One thing we talk about often with commercial painting projects in York, PA, is that longevity matters just as much as appearance.
Anybody can make a building look good for a few months. The real goal is creating a coating system that continues protecting the property for years to come. That’s especially important for churches, schools, historic buildings, and community spaces where maintenance budgets and long-term upkeep matter.
For Hellam Church, the finished project gave the exterior a cleaner, more cohesive appearance while helping protect the building from future weather exposure. The result is a refreshed space that the congregation and surrounding community can continue to enjoy for years ahead.
After:
Commercial painters serving York, PA
At Todd Hess Painting, we work with homeowners, businesses, churches, and commercial properties throughout York County and the surrounding areas. Whether it’s a large exterior repaint, extensive surface preparation, wood repairs, or ongoing maintenance painting, our approach stays the same:
Do the prep work right. Communicate clearly. Take care of the property like it’s our own.
Because in our experience, that’s what leads to paint jobs that actually last.
If you’re looking for experienced commercial painters in York, PA, for a church, office building, retail property, or other commercial exterior project, our team would be happy to talk through your goals and help you build the right plan for your property. Start the conversation with us today!