Built to last: The story behind the finish

Some companies inherit a name; others inherit a way of thinking

For Yorkshire-based S. Taylor & Son Ltd, founded in 1850, six generations of family ownership have shaped a business that continues to evolve without losing sight of the principles it was built on: quality craftsmanship, investment in people and equipment, not to mention an unwavering commitment to creating products that stand the test of time.

That long-term outlook is something the company shares with coatings manufacturer Teknos. Both remain family-owned businesses, with a culture that favours investing for future generations rather than short-term gains.

For S. Taylor & Son, continuous investment has become a defining part of its growth story. Alongside a highly skilled team of machinists, painters and bench joiners, the company has steadily expanded its manufacturing capabilities with state-of-the-art joinery equipment, enabling it to deliver projects ranging from heritage renovations to new-build developments and ongoing maintenance work.

Luxury retirement development

One recent example is a luxury retirement living development in the historic market town of Howden, East Yorkshire, where S. Taylor & Son supplied 107 timber windows and 22 entrance door sets.

At first glance, the development is simply an attractive place to live, but behind the finished appearance lies a series of technical decisions – from timber selection to coating specification – that will help the windows and doors continue to perform long after the new-build shine has faded.

The window frames and sashes were manufactured from European redwood, while the more exposed window sills were produced in sapele hardwood for added durability. Both were finished using the same Teknos exterior coating system.

Before coating, the softwood components received a Teknos preservative treatment to provide additional protection. They were then primed with two coats of water-borne ANTISTAIN AQUA 2901, preparing the timber for long-term performance, before being finished with AQUATOP 2600, a water-borne topcoat designed for industrial spray application across a wide range of timber substrates.

Exterior coating systems incorporating AQUATOP 2600 are typically tested in accordance with EN 927-2, providing confidence in their long-term durability under demanding outdoor conditions. It’s the kind of detail that may never be noticed by future residents, but it’s exactly the kind of detail that determines how

well joinery performs over decades.

Refining processes together

That’s a mindset both companies share. Rather than focusing only on the finished product, they spend time refining the manufacturing process itself.

Over more than 10 years of working together, Teknos has supported S. Taylor & Son with production audits, application guidance, coating thickness verification, quality control documentation and method statements to help optimise consistency throughout manufacture.

This is where the science behind coatings comes into its own. The right coating only performs as intended if it’s applied correctly; repeatability on the production line is every bit as important as the chemistry inside the can.

“We work side by side with manufacturers like S. Taylor & Son to optimise production, improve consistency and reduce waste. Our role isn’t just about supplying coatings; it’s about strengthening the whole manufacturing process. Our partnerships deliver real manufacturing gains for our customers, with a personal

touch,” cofirms David Gough, Teknos coating expert working with S. Taylor & Son.

Adapting to customers

While durability remains essential, customer preferences are also evolving. The windows were finished in Teknos’ Clean White, while the entrance doors introduced personality through vibrant shades of blue, purple and yellow.

According to Jake Taylor, sixth-generation director of the family business, homeowners are becoming increasingly confident in using colour to express their individuality.

“We do quite a bit of colour matching with Teknos these days, over and above our 10 standard colours. It’s great to see the funky colours that make a property special to someone.”

A bright future

Looking ahead, S. Taylor & Son is preparing to introduce AQUATOP VIRTA, Teknos’ next-generation exterior topcoat. Developed using Teknos’ Advanced Fluid-Flow Technology, AQUATOP VIRTA can be sprayed at significantly lower pressure while maintaining control and finish quality.

For manufacturers, that means practical production benefits, including lower energy consumption, reduced spray booth maintenance and paint wastage reductions of up to 40%.

It’s another example of how incremental improvements in coating technology can have a meaningful impact on manufacturing efficiency. Sometimes innovation isn’t about changing the product being made; it’s about making the process behind it smarter. Jake believes the long-standing partnership has played an important role in supporting the company’s continued growth.

“Over the years, the relationship we’ve developed with Teknos is fantastic. We get looked after really well by our account manager, David, and we’re getting all the support we need from Teknos to help our business thrive.”

For two family businesses built on expertise and continuous improvement, lasting success comes from paying attention to the details others rarely see. Whether that’s investing in people, refining production processes or advancing coating technology, it’s those unseen decisions that help quality joinery stand the test of time.

For more information on Teknos products and to access its technical library, see www.teknos.co.uk and to find out more about S. Taylor & Son, visit www.stsjoinery.co.uk.