Across architecture, expectations are rising for building products and coated surfaces to deliver not only aesthetic quality, but also to protect hard-fought reputations, the environment and the products themselves for as long as possible.
By Simon Timmins, regional commercial director, South Asia, AkzoNobel Powder Coatings
Architectural and semi-architectural metalwork are among the most visible elements in the built environment. When a finish starts to fail on windows, doors, panelling, gates, fences, balustrades, railings, stairs or exterior furniture, it can be seen as a sign of compromised quality. For manufacturers, designers, specifiers and architects, that can quickly become a reputational issue.
This makes the choice of coating an important part of delivering quality that lasts. Beyond protecting the underlying metal, the coating needs to maintain its appearance and performance over time. And as sustainability becomes a greater consideration in building design and specification, its role is expanding further.
The role of durability
Durability is fundamental to long-term coating performance. A longer-lasting finish can reduce visible deterioration, maintenance requirements and the frequency of replacement. Weatherability and finish retention are particularly important for exterior applications, where fading, chalking or changes in appearance can compromise the original design intent.
Corrosion protection is another important consideration, particularly for exposed metal elements in demanding environments such as coastal and tropical areas. Selecting a coating system appropriate to the substrate, application and environment is therefore essential to achieving the expected service life.
Durability also has a wider significance. Extending the service life of a coated component can help reduce the need for maintenance, recoating and premature replacement, as well as the resources associated with them. This is where durability and sustainability increasingly come together.
The rising importance of environmental performance
But longer service life is only one part of the sustainability picture. Environmental considerations are increasingly influencing how building products are manufactured, specified and assessed. Programmes such as Singapore’s Green Building Masterplan and India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme reflect this growing focus, while frameworks such as LEED and BREEAM continue to shape decision-making for suppliers serving European and US markets.
The Interpon Cost of Corrosion report, based on a global coatings survey of 1,000 manufacturers, including architectural respondents, provides evidence of this changing emphasis. It reveals that 31% of architectural manufacturers say enhancing reputation is the leading criterion when choosing protective coating solutions. Environmental considerations follow closely at 29%, while 18% identify longest-lasting durability as their key criterion and 13% prioritise compatibility with current manufacturing processes.
These findings show that coating decisions extend beyond technical protection alone. Manufacturers are also considering how their choices can support environmental objectives, product quality and, ultimately, their reputation.
Powder coatings in the built environment
For architectural applications, powder coatings can bring durability and environmental considerations together. According to the Interpon Cost of Corrosion report, 49% of architectural respondents use powder coatings as their primary coating solution, compared with 43% for liquid coatings and 21% for hot-dip galvanising.
Long-term durability is an important part of their appeal. The Interpon D range, for example, offers different durability levels to meet different project requirements, with warranties of up to 30 years available for eligible projects, depending on the product and durability level selected and application by a member of the Interpon D Approved Applicator Network.
Powder coatings can also support environmental objectives during application. They contain no solvents, helping to avoid VOC emissions associated with solvent-based coatings, while overspray can be recovered and reused in appropriately designed systems. Lower-temperature curing technologies can help reduce energy use, while Environmental Product Declarations provide verified environmental information. The survey also found that 79% of respondents say powder coatings are safer for the workforce to use, while 73% associate them with better environmental performance.
Sustainability considerations can extend to material and design choices, too. Powder coatings can give aluminium and steel the appearance of wood, stone or anodised aluminium without using the real material or finishing process, giving architects and designers greater freedom to achieve the desired aesthetics while retaining the durability and sustainability benefits of a powder-coated metal substrate.
Bringing it all together
For manufacturers, architects and specifiers, coating choice is increasingly about looking beyond the initial finish to consider how it will perform over the life of the product. Durability, environmental considerations, application efficiency and aesthetics all have a role to play.
Choosing the right coating from the start can deliver value well beyond the coating process. A finish that maintains its protective and aesthetic performance over time can help reduce maintenance and replacement, preserve the original design intent and, ultimately, reinforce confidence in the quality of the finished product.
All images courtesy of AkzoNobel Powder Coatings.
