Because they represent a wide range of advanced formulations to satisfy specific needs, knowing how to choose the right high-performance commercial coating for the job will not only ensure the long-term success of your project, it can save money over the life cycle of the coating.

The Role of a High-Performance Coating

Generally speaking, a high-performance commercial coating must fulfill two basic functions. The first is to protect the substrate from whatever ambient conditions threaten its integrity. Abrasion, impact, stains, moisture, and frequent washings are some of the extreme environmental conditions often found in active commercial spaces.

In addition to protecting the substrate, the coating's second fundamental purpose is to meet the customer's aesthetic demands. There was a time when “industrial-strength” coatings were reminiscent of Henry Ford's famous line, “you can have any color, as long as it's black.” In other words, they were only available in very limited package colors and a single sheen.

Those days are long gone. Today, advanced coating technology offers customers a full range of colors, multiple sheen options, and an attractive finish that equals the appearance of any premium architectural coating—without compromising high-performance standards. It is this blend of beauty and durability that is the essence of a high-performance commercial coating. And unlike most “industrial-grade” coatings, often characterized by strong odor and high VOC content, advanced high-performance formulas have a lower odor in comparison and comply with the most stringent environmental regulations. But with so many options available, how do you choose a high-performance coating that fulfills your client's expectations?

Space Considerations

Start by considering how the space will be used. Invariably, coatings for commercial projects must be strong enough to withstand a higher degree of abuse. For example, commercial kitchens and natatoriums need protection from moisture and chemicals, whereas abrasion is a constant problem in school hallways and hotel service corridors. Nursing homes and hospitals use powerful disinfectants and harsh cleansers that degrade the paint film and lead to frequent repaints. High-traffic public spaces such as universities, restaurants, car dealerships, and airport terminals, will have higher aesthetic considerations than a warehouse or manufacturing facility. These are just a few of the conditions that must be considered when selecting a high-performance coating.

Whether the substrate is wood, ferrous metal, aluminum, concrete, or CMU will also influence your specification, as will the condition of the surface being painted. For any paint job to be successful, the surface must be sound, clean, dry, and dull. In fact, it has been estimated that 80 percent of coating failures result from improperly prepared surfaces. This applies to both new construction as well as renovation projects. If the surface is stained, spalled, previously coated, or compromised by cracks, moisture seepage, or other voids, the condition must be remediated before applying paint. Even when the surface is clean and dry, it's important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for achieving a “dull” surface—that is, one that has a profile sufficient to ensure a good bond with the primer and topcoat.

Ken Laser, R.A. of Ken Laser Architect in New York City, states, “In my experience, wall preparation is as important as what goes on the wall, not just because of the potential for paint failure, but because gloss paints or even eggshells tend to show imperfections. In all of my projects, I'm very specific about how I want the walls prepped.”

Fortunately, there are high-performance primers available to address most problem situations. Some of the new-generation primers are formulated to promote adhesion and help the topcoat maintain its desired sheen. Others are engineered to resist corrosion and enhance the longevity of the topcoat. High-build, heavy-duty block fillers have properties that can help fill concrete block or smooth uneven masonry surfaces so the finished system is more uniform and level. Ultimately, the primer you choose will become the foundation of a stable, long-lasting, and attractive coating system.

Environmental Impact

Apart from taking into account the physical properties of the space being painted, increasingly stringent state and federal environmental regulations must also be considered. While it's mandatory to comply with legislative guidelines that dictate materials used in your region, many of your clients are also eager to earn LEED certification in order to satisfy public demand for healthier indoor environments. Fortunately, modern high-performance coatings have advanced dramatically from the days when “industrial-type” paints failed to meet the highest environmental standards and often incurred costly disposal procedures.

Today, the best-quality high-performance coatings are lower in odor than previous coatings, low or no VOCs, and many are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage. GREENGUARD Certification is awarded to products that meet the Institute's strict standards for low emissions of VOCs into indoor air, and form the basis of earning LEED credit for low-emitting products. The GREENGUARD Gold standard sets even more rigorous standards to ensure that the paint specified is favorable for especially sensitive environments like schools, healthcare facilities, and nursing homes. On product labels and on Material Safety Data Sheets, you'll find the VOC level of the coating prior to colorants being added, although zero-VOC colorants, which add no VOCs to the paint during tinting, are now available in the marketplace.

VOC content, however, is far from the only criteria for judging the environmental impact of a specific coating. Many other features play a role in whether a product can be deemed truly sustainable. A coating with high hiding properties, for example, requires fewer coats, and therefore less consumption of resources, to achieve the desired finish. Benefits like scrub resistance and washability allow walls to withstand repeated cleaning while maintaining a fresh appearance, thereby reducing the need for re-paints. Overall resistance to abrasion and chemical assault also contributes to the longevity of the coating and lowers long-term labor costs and material usage. Ultimately, the durability of high-performance commercial coatings enables them to outlast standard paints, generating less waste in terms of gallons of paint used and minimizing the burden on natural resources and local landfills.

This has become increasingly important in recent years as worldwide “green” building trends are growing rapidly. A recent study by McGraw Hill Construction reports that, of the construction firms surveyed, over half projected that more than 60% of their work would be “green” by 2015. While there was a time when sustainable coatings were specified because it was “the right thing to do,” more and more often, the decision to “go green” is also motivated by the bottom line.

For Clete Miller, associate AIA with Weber, Murphy, Fox in Cleveland, Ohio, “sustainable design is just good professional practice. Whether the client is looking for sustainability or trying to achieve LEED, we do our best to specify sustainable products.”

While there was a time when sustainable coatings were specified because it was “the right thing to do,” more and more often, the decision to “go green” is also motivated by the bottom line.

Sustainability is also a primary consideration for Michael Rantilla, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, associate principal at Perkins + Will in North Carolina. When confronted with differing levels of humidity between two adjoining areas in a national art gallery, he specified a high-performance coating to create a vapor barrier that would help protect sensitive artifacts. “It's a very sustainable technique,” he explains, “because if humidity goes through a wall, you could spend a lot of money dehumidifying the space, or you could use a high-performance coating that pays for itself in energy savings.”

With a thorough understanding of the facility's purpose, the condition of the substrate, and the problems posed by the environment, you're better equipped to specify the high-performance commercial coating that represents the best value for your customer.