As the green building trend in the construction industry generates wider attention due to its cost-savings benefits amidst the current economic downturn, painting contractors are one with facility managers in using green paints and coatings in building construction and maintenance projects. The increasing interest in green paints for green buildings urges paint manufacturers to keep up with the demand and redesign or create environment-friendly paints and coatings.
The result of the paint reformulation efforts is a wide array of green paints for painting contractors to choose from. Many years of polymer research produced an improved latex paint that do not use toxic solvents, improving air quality during and after painting application projects. The absence of toxic solvents protects painting contractors and building tenants from damage caused by unintentional inhalation and absorption of these toxic substances.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are another threat to the environment that leads to air pollution. These compounds are often emitted by ordinary paints, putting painting contractors, building residents and the whole environment in grave risk. To counter the threat posed by VOCs, paint manufacturers have developed new products that contain little to near-zero VOCs.
Another coating innovation is the external coatings product with water-repellent qualities, a very useful “self-cleaning” ability to prevent dirt and water particles to take hold in painted surfaces. This unique feature leaves the building surface clean and more resistant to soiling and the weather. Buildings with water-repellent paint and coatings remain dry and maintain their surface color much longer.
