Vaulted Ceiling & Lobby Painting at Berks Area Transit Authority in Reading, PA
a Case Study by CertaPro Painters® of Reading, PA
Transforming the Berks Area Transit Authority Bus Terminal
CertaPro Painters® of Reading, PA completed a commercial interior painting project at the Berks Area Transit Authority Bus Terminal in Reading, PA, focusing on the rear lobby entrance and vaulted ceiling area. This portion of the facility serves as a primary access point to the station and includes stairways with landings at both the upper and lower levels.
At the start of the project, the lobby area featured outdated orange and tan wall colors that no longer fit the terminal’s refreshed design direction. The walls and ceiling showed visible cracking, along with water staining from prior issues that had since been corrected. While the underlying structure was sound, the surfaces required repair and thorough preparation before repainting to achieve a clean, professional finish suitable for a high-traffic public transportation facility.
The scope covered approximately 2,600 square feet of vault walls with architectural bump-out accents, along with a dramatic 35-foot-high vaulted ceiling. The goal of the project was to modernize the space as part of a larger renovation effort and bring the design in line with updated color selections provided by the client’s design team.
The result is a transformed lobby with a modern color palette. Find more details and photos of the project in this case study.
About the Project:
Scope of Project:
The project involved repairing drywall cracks throughout both the walls and vaulted ceiling, priming all water-stained areas to prevent bleed-through, and executing a detailed two-tone wall color scheme. Extensive taping was required to achieve crisp transitions between colors, particularly around architectural accents and bump-out features. Once preparation was complete, the walls and ceiling were repainted to deliver a fresh, updated appearance that enhanced both brightness and visual impact in the lobby space.
Challenges & Solutions:
One of the most significant challenges of this project was the scale and layout of the space. The walls began above a 10-foot soffit and extended an additional 25 feet up to the vaulted ceiling, resulting in a total height of approximately 35 feet from floor to ceiling. Due to the stairways and railings, the crew was limited to working from the top and bottom landings only, which required careful planning and sequencing.
An additional challenge was a large chandelier suspended in the center of the vault ceiling. This required extreme precision while operating a 40-foot articulated lift. One crew member worked in the lift while another remained on the ground to assist with navigation and ensure safe clearance around the chandelier. These constraints slowed production but were managed carefully to protect the fixture and surrounding finishes while maintaining consistent quality throughout the project.
Timeline:
Four days
Before Photos
Below are photos of the lobby before painting. Click on any image to open the photo gallery.
After Photos
See the transformation here. Click on any image to open the photo gallery.
Other Commercial Painting Services Offered
Drywall Repair
Drywall panels can be repaired or replaced, eliminating signs of wear and tear.
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Exterior Painting
Quality exterior painting can transform a building with color, whether the project calls for conforming to existing standards or making a fresh, bold statement. We can paint all substrates including wood, stucco, vinyl and aluminum, block and cement board.
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High-Durability Coatings
Our team is skilled in applying high-durability coatings for floors, walls, and high-wear areas requiring long-term painting solutions.
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Interior Painting
Our professional painting crews will complete interior painting projects with utmost respect for the property and its occupants.
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Light Carpentry and Repairs
Repairing and replacing siding, including wood, metalwork, stucco, and EIFS – as well as interior drywall, plaster and woodwork – making sure surfaces are in good condition and ready to accept paint.
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Power Washing
A clean surface is required for excellent paint adherence. When appropriate for the material, we offer power washing services before painting begins.
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