Painting 1960s and 1970s London Flats: Concrete, Steel Windows and Interior Specification

Post-War London Flats: The Decorating Context

London's 1960s and 1970s residential buildings present a different set of challenges from the city's Victorian and Edwardian housing stock. Developed in the decades following the Second World War under the influence of Modernist architecture and volume housing programmes, these buildings were constructed using techniques and materials that were largely unprecedented in domestic construction: large-format precast concrete panels, steel or aluminium curtain wall systems, flat roofs, open deck access and communal stairwells serving multiple units.

Many of these buildings are now showing the effects of half a century of weathering and maintenance cycles of varying quality. Concrete panels are stained, steel-framed windows have corroded, communal areas have been painted with inappropriate products, and the aesthetic challenges of making these buildings attractive as well as functional have not always been addressed thoughtfully.

This guide covers the principal decorating challenges in 1960s and 1970s London flats, from exterior concrete to interior communal areas to individual flat specification.

Exterior Concrete Panels

Precast concrete external panels were widely used in London residential blocks of the 1960s and 1970s. They were often left as exposed concrete initially, relying on the material's own durability rather than a paint coating. Over time, however, carbonation (the gradual absorption of CO2 from the air into the concrete), chloride attack from road salt, and general weathering cause the concrete to deteriorate and, in some cases, begin to allow corrosion of the reinforcement within.

Before any painting is considered on concrete panel exteriors, a structural assessment should be carried out by a qualified engineer or specialist. Areas with active reinforcement corrosion, significant cracking or loose material require repair before painting -- painting over structural defects serves no useful purpose.

On concrete panels in sound condition, the correct approach is a breathable, alkali-resistant masonry coating. Alkali-resisting primer must be applied first, as fresh or carbonating concrete can be highly alkaline and will attack standard paint films. Products such as Dulux Trade Weathershield Smooth Masonry or Sandtex Trade Smooth Masonry applied over the correct primer give a durable, weather-resistant coating that also provides some protection against further carbonation.

Texture is an important consideration. Many 1960s and 1970s blocks have board-formed concrete or aggregate-textured panel surfaces. Smooth masonry paint will not sit correctly in the texture; a lightly textured masonry coating applied by roller gives a more appropriate result.

Steel-Framed Windows on Post-War Blocks

Steel-framed windows -- often but not always Crittall -- were standard on most London residential blocks of the 1960s and 1970s. After 50 to 60 years of weathering, the paint systems on these windows are typically in poor condition, with significant corrosion present wherever the paint film has broken down.

For individual flat owners repainting their own windows in a block: check with the building management company or freeholder before undertaking any work. In many London leasehold blocks, external windows and their decoration are the responsibility of the freeholder rather than the leaseholder, and carrying out work without consent can create legal complications.

For management companies or resident management companies overseeing block-wide window redecoration: the correct specification involves mechanical preparation of all bare and corroded steel -- wire brushing, needle gunning or grit blasting depending on the extent of corrosion -- followed by zinc phosphate primer, an intermediate coat and two finish coats of oil-based gloss or specialist water-based metal coating. This is not work that should be undertaken by a general decorator without experience of metal substrate preparation; use a specialist with verifiable experience of post-war window refurbishment.

Communal Areas: Stairwells, Corridors and Lobbies

The communal areas of 1960s and 1970s London blocks are among the most demanding interior environments for paint specification. They are used continuously, subject to constant contact with walls and ceilings, exposed to varying humidity and temperature as external doors open and close, and maintained by management companies seeking durability rather than aesthetic refinement.

The correct product for communal walls is a scrubbable, high-durability emulsion. Johnstone's Trade Acrylic Durable Matt, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt or Crown Trade Clean Extreme are all appropriate. These are Class 1 scrub resistance products that withstand washing, cleaning products and the wear of daily use in shared spaces. Standard mid-range emulsions are not appropriate for communal areas and will show deterioration within two to three years.

Ceiling finishes in communal stairwells should be a mid-sheen or semi-gloss in white -- the sheen makes cleaning easier and the reflectivity helps with light distribution in spaces that often rely on artificial lighting. A heavy-duty water-based eggshell applied to ceilings is increasingly common in this application.

For metal doors, door frames and balustrade metalwork in communal areas, oil-based gloss or a high-build water-based metal coating provides the cleanable, hard-wearing surface required.

Individual Flat Interiors

Inside a 1960s or 1970s London flat, the walls are typically fair-faced concrete, plasterboard partition walls, or a combination of both. Fair-faced concrete requires an alkali-resisting primer or a specialist masonry primer before emulsion paint; standard PVA primer is not always adequate and failure to prime correctly leads to poor adhesion and early flaking.

Ceiling heights in 1960s and 1970s London flats are often lower than in period properties -- 2.4 metres is common compared with the 2.9 to 3.4 metres of a Victorian terrace. This makes colour choice more significant: very dark colours can make low-ceilinged rooms feel oppressive, while off-whites and pale mids open the space visually. Light reflecting value (LRV) should be a practical consideration in specifying colours for these flats, particularly in north-facing rooms.

Moisture management is a live concern in many 1960s and 1970s London flats. The construction type -- concrete frame with limited insulation and thermal mass -- can generate significant condensation on cold-bridge surfaces. A mould-resistant paint or Zinsser Perma-White in bathrooms and kitchens, combined with adequate ventilation, is strongly advisable.

Communal External Areas and Balconies

Balcony floors and walkway decks on 1960s and 1970s London blocks are typically concrete and require anti-slip floor coatings rather than masonry paint. Products such as Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Paint applied over a suitable primer provide a practical, safe and reasonably durable solution. For significant deterioration, a specialist resin-based deck coating is more appropriate.

External walkway walls, balcony parapet walls and communal external surfaces should be treated with the same alkali-resistant primer and exterior masonry paint system specified for the main concrete panels to ensure consistency of appearance and performance.