Commercial Case Study

The problem to be solved / Background:

Union Township Middle School features a large indoor gymnasium used for physical education, sports events, and school assemblies. Over time, the gym’s original black ceiling which was once chosen to minimize visual distractions during games, began to make the space feel dim and enclosed.

With the goal of the project being to brighten the space, improve light reflectivity, and enhance the gym’s overall aesthetics, the current administration decided to paint the ceiling to a bright white.

Objectives:

• Repaint 8600 sqft. of exposed gymnasium ceiling to brighten up the space.
• The color selection would be Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006.
• Complete the work during the 8-day spring break period.
• Minimize disruption and ensure a clean, odor-free environment before students return.

Planning and Preparation:

To prepare for this high-impact project, a detailed site assessment was conducted to evaluate the ceiling’s condition, existing coatings, and access logistics. Based on this assessment, Sherwin-Williams’ Pro Industrial product line was selected for its durability, chemical resistance, scrub resistance, and longevity—ideal for a high-use space like a school gymnasium.

The project was scheduled during the school’s 8-day spring break to eliminate disruptions to daily operations. This also allowed for a two-day ventilation period following project completion to ensure a safe and odor-free environment for students and staff.

In advance, scissor lifts were reserved, and OSHA-compliant safety protocols were established for working at height. Dust control was a priority, so all vents and doorways were sealed off to contain dust and paint fumes within the gym area.

Execution

The setup began with lining all floors with a heavy-gauge floor shell, moisture barrier, and movable pads to ensure full surface protection. Plastic sheeting was draped along the walls to prevent overspray. Surface preparation included compressed air hoses and hand tools to remove more than 25 years of accumulated dust. Areas with peeling paint or rust were treated with scraping, wire wheeling, and cleaning. As a fun side note, the school recovered a few hundred dollars’ worth of lost physical education equipment during the cleaning process.

Rust-prone areas received a rust-inhibiting primer, and any sections with prior peeling were primed using an extreme bonding primer. Two full coats of Sherwin-Williams Extra White SW 7006 were then applied to brighten the entire gym ceiling.

Walkthroughs were conducted at each stage of the project by the CertaPro Painters of NWI Project Manager and Job Site Supervisor to ensure quality control. Upon final completion, a “Pride Walk” was completed with the customer and the project team to verify satisfaction.

Challenges

The project posed a number of unique challenges:

• Surface Preparation: The existing black paint had uneven fading and over two decades of dust buildup, requiring deep cleaning and surface conditioning.
• Height and Accessibility: With ceilings reaching up to 30 feet, specialized equipment and strict safety protocols were necessary.
• Ventilation and Fumes: Given the indoor school setting, air quality management was critical throughout the project and during the two-day post-completion ventilation window.
• Time Constraints: All work had to be completed during the school’s spring break to avoid disruptions to classes and gym use.

Final Results / Outcomes

The project was completed on time and budget. The freshly repainted ceiling significantly brightened the gym, reflecting the pride and professionalism of the Union Township School Corporation. Feedback from both staff and students was overwhelmingly positive, and no issues were reported regarding air quality or paint performance after the project concluded.

Union Township Middle School – Gym Ceiling Project Photos