Architectural Coatings

Transcription

Journal of
Architectural
Coatings
Vo l u m e 1
SPECIAL REPORT
ON GREEN COATINGS
COATING SYSTEMS
FOR SPORTS FACILITIES
AIR-DRY
FLUOROPOLYMERS
SPRUCE UP OFFICE
BUILDINGS
/
Number 2
April 2005
M E E T
E X P E C T A T I O N S
W I T H O U T
C O M P R O M I S E .
You can rely on Sherwin-Williams to help you meet your green coating specifications
and satisfy all your quality expectations. And to help you identify our environmentally
preferable coatings that provide maximum performance, we’ve developed
the GreenSmart symbol. Products carrying this mark meet our highest standards for air
quality, VOC emissions, life cycle cost efficiency, durability, color, and coverage. So
with GreenSmart, you’ll never have to compromise to meet all your requirements.
See your Sherwin-Williams Architectural Account Executive or call our Architect & Designer Answerline at 1-800-321-8194.
www.sher win-williams.com
©2005 The Sher win-Williams Company
april 2005
journal of architectural coatings / contents
17
ECOMANIASpecial report on green coatings
59
Joe Maty, Editor
Methods of certifying coatings as
“green” are described and critiqued by architects, certifying
organizations, and coatings industry experts. Coating company
initiatives in creating environmentally friendly coating products are
reviewed, and a directory lists and
describes “green” coating products from 40 companies.
42
Kevin Knight, Retro-Specs Consultants,
Canada
Selection of material, application,
and quality control procedures are
described for this major project in
Cambridge, MA.
The right calls on coatings
John Williams,
HOK Sport + Venue + Event
The author describes how to select
coating systems for various exposure environments in sports facilities
and reviews the elements of good
practice in surface preparation,
paint application, and maintenance repainting of stadiums and
ball parks.
55
Great expectations- Air barrier system
crafted to measure up to expansive
vision for major new research
center at MIT
project profiles
Mega-makeover delivers…
more than a pretty façade
69
JAC staff
columns
3
Editor’s Word- Collaborative effort
required to fix certification system
for green coatings
4
Contributors- Zielnik, Helsel,
Williams, Knight
6
news USGBC issues draft of LEED
system for new construction;
AIA to invade Vegas for convention
JAC staff
The aluminum curtain walls of
three office buildings were successfully refurbished with an airdry fluoropolymer producing
appearance properties equivalent
to the initial factory finish.
Eye to the future- Polysiloxane
technology enlisted to give
millennium landmark a long-term
lease on London skyline
15
The Concept Stage- Research shows
promise for sustainable polymer
materials
41
Getting It Right- Tips on specification
writing for coating materials, surface
preparation, and paint application
63
On the cover: Albuquerque Isotopes baseball park
Photo courtesy of HOK Sport + Venue + Event
Journal of Architectural Coatings / April 2005
72
Passing the Test- How to measure
sunlight resistance and evaluate UV
test data
Ad Index and Calendar
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editor’sword
Journal of
Architectural
Coatings
Editor
Joe Maty
[email protected]
Assistant Editor
Daryl L. Fleming
[email protected]
Contributing Editor
Kevin Knight
[email protected]
Art Director
Peter Salvati
[email protected]
Production Manager
Milissa Bogats
[email protected]
Production Assistant
Daniel Yauger
[email protected]
Circulation Manager
Andy Folmer
[email protected]
Vice President, Advertising
Gina Fleitman
[email protected]
Advertising Sales
James Oot
[email protected]
Bernadette Landon
[email protected]
Business Manager
Suzanne Sheehan
[email protected]
President/Publisher
Harold Hower
[email protected]
The Journal of Architectural Coatings is published quarterly by
Technology Publishing Company, 2100 Wharton Street, Suite
310, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; Telephone 412/431-8300; fax
412/431-5428. The office of the Editor is at 402 Portland
Avenue, Belleville, IL 62220. Copyright by Technology
Publishing; Reproduction of the contents, either in whole or in
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Printed in the USA
Dreams of ‘green’ peace
and other Utopian notions
C
an’t we all just get along?
OK, that’s way too simplistic, particularly when the participants are so
diverse—business managers and coatings formulators here, coatings users
there, architects and specifiers over this way, and “green-leaning” designers and
activists over that way. Quite a broad spectrum of people when it comes to this greenbuilding crowd.
Their viewpoints can be just as diverse and conflicting, as you’ll see in our special
report on green coatings in this, our second edition of the Journal of Architectural
Coatings.
It’s simplistic, maybe, but perhaps not completely unrealistic to believe we can all get
along, this assortment of chemistry wizards and huggers of trees, creative types and
lions of the bottom line. You may say I’m a dreamer, but let’s hope I’m not the only one.
The green-building express, if not a runaway train, certainly is on a roll. It might be
difficult to persuade the U.S. Green Building Council and other leaders of the movement
to apply the brakes. New rating systems under the Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) tent are being developed or approved faster than you can say “sustainable,” it
would seem. Looming on the horizon is a new version of LEED, version 2.2 for new construction, hard on the heels of the recently issued LEED for Existing Buildings and LEED
for Commercial Interiors.
No doubt the aims of LEED and the green-building policymakers carry a great deal of
merit. Everyone wants better indoor air and a cleaner atmosphere. But why not make
sure the credit programs and regulations are as effective as possible while ensuring that
the paint doesn’t flunk the performance test? As Master Painters Institute President Barry
Law says in our report, “Lack of performance is not environmentally friendly.”
Even Chris Dixon, a Seattle architect and member of a key Green Building Council
advisory committee, acknowledges that LEED is in need of some serious repairs, as
reported in our coverage. And yet, LEED 2.2 looks to be steaming toward approval by
the USGBC membership with little recognition of the role of product lifecycle or other
important considerations that should go into the crafting of “green” policies.
It may be too late to slow down the LEED 2.2 engine enough to allow significant
attention to some of these questions. Let’s hope, however, that the USGBC and other
arbiters of green-building ways and means revisit these issues sooner rather than later,
and make the needed revisions.
It may be dreaming to think everyone involved in the green-building debate can all
get along. It should be perfectly reasonable, however, to believe the various players can
talk to one another—and listen.
www.paintsquare.com
Joe Maty
Editor, JAC
3
Contributors
Allen Zielnik
Allen Zielnik (Passing the
test, p. 26) leads the technical consulting operation of
Atlas Materials Testing LLC,
where he also serves as the
director of strategic sales. In
Kevin Knight
addition, Zielnik is a member
of
Chemical
the
Kevin Knight (Great Expectations, p. 59) is president of Retro-
American
Society,
Specs Consultants Canada, a company that provides on-site
the
Society of Plastics Engineers, the Institute for Environmental
Sciences, and the Federation of Societies for Coatings
Technology (FSCT). He is an active member of numerous
technical committees in ASTM International dealing with the
weathering and durability of materials, and he frequently
advises standards and trade groups on technical issues.
inspections, testing, and critiques of building-envelope problems for architects, engineers,
owners, builders, and manufacturers. He is an authority on
building-envelope
technolo-
gies, with 25 years of experience in the field, as a researcher,
and in training programs. He
has collaborated with federal
John C. Williams
John C. Williams, CSI, CCS (The Right Calls on Coatings, p.
42), is director of specifications for HOK Sport + Venue + Event,
Kansas City, MO. He has more than 32 years of experience in
the development of documents for design and construction of
major facilities, ranging from power plants to sports facilities.
Since joining HOK in 1999,
he has been responsible for
all
specifications
for
an
extensive portfolio of sports-
and provincial governments,
utilities,
and
private-sector
companies on many projects
and
is
the
co-inventor
of
patented testing equipment used for finding leaks in
air/vapor-barrier and roofing membranes. He is the author of
numerous published papers and is a frequent lecturer on
building-envelope science. He is a founding member of the
Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA).
facility projects undertaken
by the firm, including Heinz
Field
and
PNC
Park
in
Jayson Helsel
Pittsburgh; the New England
Jayson Helsel (Getting it
Patriots’ Gillette Stadium; the
right, p. 30), a senior coatings
Arizona Cardinals Stadium;
consultant with KTA-Tator,
the San Diego Padres’ Petco
manages failure investiga-
Field; and Reliant Stadium in
tions and coating projects
Houston. With HOK and dur-
and is involved with coating
ing a previous 27-year career with Black & Veatch, he has been
surveys and inspection of
involved in the design of coatings systems for a wide range of
industrial
projects and environments. He is a member of SSPC and the
holds an MS in chemical
Construction Specifiers Institute, and is president of the
engineering
Education Foundation of the CSI chapter in Kansas City. He
University of Michigan, is a
has a Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of
registered professional engi-
Kansas, and is a registered architect and certified construction
neer, and a NACE Coatings
specifier.
Inspection Technician.
4
structures.
from
He
the
News
USGBC issues draft of new LEED
system for new construction
The U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC) recently
issued a “first public-comment
draft” of a proposed new
green-building rating system
for new construction and
major renovations, or “LEEDNC.”
The action follows the
recent approval of new LEED
(Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) greenbuilding rating systems for
Existing Buildings (LEED-EB)
and Commercial Interiors
(LEED-CI).
The council is in the
process of accepting and
reviewing comments on the
draft LEED for new-construction. The draft document calls
for the issuance of greenbuilding credits for the use of
a range of “low-emitting
materials,” including paints
and coatings. To earn credits,
the paints and coatings used
must be applied on-site and
must not exceed the VOC limits
nor include any of the chemical components limited or
restricted by the following standards:
• Topcoat paints: Green Seal
Standard GS-11;
continued on page 8
Bayer, Tnemec showcase polyacrylic coatings technology
Bayer MaterialScience and Tnemec Co. Inc. collaborated
for one calendar year to eval-
to develop a polyacrylic coatings system formulated to pro-
uate performance. The com-
vide a combination of adhesion, weatherability, corrosion
pany said the tested coating
resistance, and color and gloss retention.
system met performance crite-
The technology was highlighted at the recent World of
ria, in addition to offering low
Concrete show in Las Vegas, NV, and a coatings system based
volatile organic compound
on the technology has been applied to Building 8 at Bayer
(VOC) content and low odor.
MaterialScience’s corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.
Bayer MaterialScience said a key objective in the formula-
The coating system consists
of a single-component mois-
tion of the coating material was adhesion to existing coatings
ture-cure polyurethane primer
to minimize the cost of surface preparation. A test patch was
supplied by Tnemec, which is
applied to the building in 2003 and was allowed to remain
reported to provide adhesion
to steel, rust, and aged coatings. The topcoat is described
as a new waterborne, air-dry
composition that incorporates
an aliphatic polyacrylic dispersion and an aqueous hydroxylfunctional polyacrylic dispersion, both supplied by Bayer
MaterialScience. Stripe detail on the building was coated with
an aliphatic acrylic polyurethane from Tnemec.
Painting contractor Richard Lempenfield Painting Inc. prepared the surface by power washing the building with
biodegradable detergent; sanding and minor hand tooling were
Paint is applied to metal surfaces on Building 8 at the Bayer
MaterialScience corporate office complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
6
also performed to eliminate rust in worn areas. Exposed areas
were spot primed, then paint was applied by roller and brush.
Want to make
a lasting
impression?
PSX 700. Used on architectural structures where long-term aesthetic
®
appeal is most important.
“We recommend PSX® 700 to our clients due to its time saving ease of application and
phenomenal color retention of deep and ultra deep base colors. The cured product results
in a smooth, easily cleanable, hard finish.” Jim Codde, Owner, Bay Cal Commercial Painting, Inc.
“When I need a performance coating to adhere to fluorinated acrylic coatings or powder
coatings that we have previously used and which will hold up to abuse, with excellent gloss
and color retention, I select PSX® 700. In five years of applications it has never let me down.”
Dan Collins, President DC Painting
PSX® 700 is a revolutionary siloxane-epoxy coating offering performance that exceeds the
adhesion, toughness, corrosion and chemical resistance of the best epoxies and also gives
you better weatherability, exterior gloss and color retention than that of the best aliphatic
polyurethane–all in one coating.
Ameron International
Performance Coatings &
Finishes Group
13010 Morris Rd, Suite 400
Alpharetta, GA 30004
T: 678-393-0653
F: 678-566-2699
www.ameroncoatings.com
Ameron BV
Performance Coatings & Finishes
P.O. Box 6
4190 CA Geldermalsen
The Netherlands
T: +31-345-587-587
F: +31-345-587-551
www.ameron-bv.com
Ameron (Australia) Ltd.
183 Prospect Highway
Seven Hills NSW 2147
Sydney, Australia
T: 61-2 9421-8000
F: 61-2 9674-6224
www.ameron.com.au
Ameron (New Zealand) Ltd
5 Monahan Road
Mt. Wellington
Auckland, New Zealand
T: 64-9 573-1620
F: 64-9 573-1201
www.ameron.co.nz
PCF2
We invite you to contact your Ameron representative for more information or visit us at
www.ameroncoatings.com.
News
continued from page 6
• Anticorrosion and anti-rust paints:
Green Seal Standard GS-03; and
• All other architectural coatings,
primers, and undercoats: South Coast
Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) Rule 1113, based on provi-
sions in effect on Jan. 1, 2004.
Similar low-emitting paint and coatings provisions are included in the
recently launched LEED-CI system for
commercial interiors. The LEED-EB for
existing building systems provides credits for low-emitting paint and coatings
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8
that meet the Green Seal GS-11 standard, but does not require compliance
with the SCAQMD’s Rule 1113 on architectural coatings. Rule 1113 is considered the nation’s most stringent VOC
regulation on architectural and industrial
maintenance coatings.
In announcing the launch of the LEEDEB rating system for existing buildings,
Green Building Council President and
CEO Rick Fedruzzi said the LEED-NC
system for new construction “is rapidly
transforming the design and construction
of new buildings to sustainable practicers. Now with LEED-EB approved, the
USGBC has the tools in place to start
transforming the existing-buildings market to sustainable practices as well.”
Commenting on the new LEED-CI system for commercial interiors, Fedruzzi
noted that the commercial interiors market is “16 times larger than the new
commercial construction market. With
the challenge of taking on the commercial interiors market also comes a
unique opportunity to shape this sector.”
AIA issues program plans
for annual convention, expo
The American Institute of Architects has
issued program details for the 2005 AIA
National Convention and Design
Exposition, scheduled for May 19–21 at
the Mandalay Bay Convention Center,
Las Vegas, NV.
The AIA said the event is expected to
draw more than 22,000 architects and
professionals in the building industry.
The exhibition will feature more than
800 exhibitors of products, services, and
technologies, the AIA said.
The designated theme for the convention and exposition is “The Power of
Architecture: Imagine, Create,
Transform.” Plans for the event include
more than 15 pre-convention workshops, scheduled for May 18. Seminars
scheduled for May 19–21 will include
slide and video presentations, panel discussions, and lectures.
AIA Las Vegas announced plans for
more than 35 district professional tours,
including visits to a variety of destinations.
Program tracks at the convention will
address the topics of clients and partnering; business and planning; delivery and
process; design and services; and the
profession of architecture.
Reduced fees for advanced registration are being offered until April 15.
Complete details on the Design
Exposition and Convention are posted
on the AIA Web site, located at
www.aia.org.
CSI Show to offer
programs on new
‘MasterFormat’ edition
ers. The revised program encompasses
the entire facility life cycle, focuses on
work results, and addresses building
operations and maintenance and heavy
civil and process engineering construction, the institute said. Said to be of particular interest to owners is the new edition’s expanded scope, which includes a
section for specifications for project performance.
Separate MasterFormat 2004 Edition
forums are scheduled for April 20 for
specifiers, architects and engineers, contractors, construction product manufacturers, building owners, and facility managers. Each session will address specific
interests about how the new edition
enhances operations, tactics for adopting
the new version, and best practices.
At the April 20 opening general ses-
sion of the show and convention, a
panel of industry experts from various
design and construction disciplines will
discuss their specific MasterFormat
implementation issues. The panel’s moderator is Dennis Hall, chairman of the
group that developed the MasterFormat
2004 Edition.
Also planned on April 23 are two
continuing-education sessions on the
new MasterFormat edition, “Introduction
to the MasterFormat Application Guide”
and “Keynoting with MasterFormat
2004 Edition.” MasterFormat 2004
Edition presentations are also planned
each day of the show on the exhibit
floor at the CSI booth, No. 1842.
Paid registrants attending The CSI
Show & Convention’s education program
receive on site a free copy of MasterFormat
The Construction Specifications Institute
(CSI) will offer a series of educational
and training programs for the institute’s
recently issued MasterFormat 2004
Edition during the 49th annual CSI Show
& Convention.
The convention and exhibition are
scheduled for April 20–23 at
McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
The institute announced plans for an
all-day pre-convention seminar to train
accredited MasterFormat 2004 Edition
instructors, scheduled for April 19, and
eight continuing-education sessions for
users, scheduled during the conference
and exhibition.
The MasterFormat 2004 Edition is the
new version of the U.S.-Canadian standard for organizing building specifications and other project information. The
April 20 opening general session also
addresses MasterFormat 2004 Edition.
CSI said the MasterFormat 2004
Edition is significantly expanded to
accommodate marked advances in construction technologies and materials and
the evolving priorities of building ownJournal of Architectural Coatings / April 2005
9
News
continued from page 10
2004 Edition, a $159 value.
The show and convention will offer 132
continuing-education programs for professionals in commercial construction, with the
sessions covering the entire facility life
cycle, CSI said.
More information on the programs
and the CSI Show & Convention is
available from the CSI website, located
at www.thescishow.com, or by calling
800-689-2900.
Also scheduled in conjunction with the
CSI show are the Total Facility
Management (TFM) Show and the
Masonry Showcase.
People in the news
Glenn Higgins joins
HMS Architects
Glenn Higgins has joined HMS Architects,
New Orleans, LA. The firm said Higgins
will play a key role in expanding its practice in the areas of health care and medical architecture.
Higgins formerly headed his own architecture firm, Glenn C. Higgins-Associates,
which completed a range of educational,
municipal, commercial, and residential
projects. He is a member of the American
Institute of Architects (AIA), and AIA
Louisiana.
HMS Architects is a specialty and general-practice architectural firm, with specializations in performing-arts projects,
hospitality and multi-family projects, and
industrial facilities.
Product pipeline
Exterior-paint line
ICI Paints has announced the launch of the
“This Old House™” brand of exterior paint.
Described as premium, 100% acrylic, waterborne paints, the product line incorporates a
urethane-polymer network designed to
enhance application and appearance properties. Product attributes include a balance of
sag resistance and flow, resulting in an even
finish that hides brush marks and minimizes
surface imperfections, the company says. A
thick, one-coat-coverage formula is designed
to provide drip resistance on the brush and
surface, and the paint also provides resistance to fading; peeling; chipping and cracking; and mildew and algae, the company
says. The paint is offered in a full range of
gloss levels and a 320-color palette.
ICI Paints (www.icipaints.com/NA),
Cleveland, OH
10
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News
Coatings products
The Sherwin-Williams Co. has introduced the Loxon XP™ direct-to-concrete,
high-build masonry coating, reported to
require no primer. Recommended applications include use on tilt-up, precast or
poured-in-place concrete and CMU,
cement block, and stucco surfaces. The
company said the product offers resistance
to alkali, efflorescence, and wind-driven
rain.
Other recent introductions include the
company’s Sher-Color™ Advanced Color
Technology Systems for color formulations and tint dispensing;
the ProMar 200 XP™ interior flat latex paint, offering a highbuild finish for maximum hiding and coverage; and the
AMROSEAL® ExpressPatch Fast Dry
Urethane Patch Kit, a low-odor, water-borne
patching material for concrete repair.
Also introduced was Duration Home™
interior latex coating, reported to offer
enhanced washability and burnish resistance. The company says the product is
formulated with a patented crosslinking
technology that prevents stains from penetrating, resulting in improved washability
and stain and burnish resistance. The product is described as offering low odor, low
VOC content, and resistance to mold and mildew.
The Sherwin-Williams Co. (www.sherwin-williams.com),
Cleveland, OH
JAC
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TheConceptStage
New research suggests
continued progress in development
of ‘sustainable’ raw materials
R
USM project details synthesis, evaluation
of soybean oil-based ‘macromonomer’
ecently published coatings research carried
out at the University of Southern Mississippi
(USM) offers promise for continued advances
in the development of water-borne architectural coatings that incorporate materials derived from vegetable
oils.
The work marks a continuation of a longstanding R&D priority at USM’s highly regarded Department of Polymer Science: the
development of high-performance coatings that deliver an enviable environmental profile while making use of “bio-based,” or
plant-derived (a.k.a. sustainable), raw materials.
This new research is described in a paper presented at the
recent Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings
Symposium, a widely respected conference for coatings technology held annually in New Orleans. The symposium is sponsored
by USM.
The paper, titled “Property Development in Latexes Using
Soybean Oil Acrylated Macromonomer,” describes research
conducted by the Thames-Rawlins Research Group. The authors
are Sandiphan Dutta, Catherine Blackwell, Nick Gariano, James
W. Rawlins, and Shelby F. Thames, the latter a legendary USM
polymer science professor and now president of the university.
The paper reviews an ambitious research project in which the
authors designed and synthesized a novel class of vegetable oilbased monomers for incorporation into water-borne emulsions.
The soybean oil-based monomers are termed “macromonomers”
and were found to improve the cure and performance of latex
architectural paints, according to the published work.
The project demonstrated that incorporation of the soybean
oil-based monomers “improved latex coalescence, and afforded
good wet adhesion, block resistance and scrub resistance,” the
authors reported. “The performance properties suggest promise
for soybean oil based [macromonomers] in architectural coatings, and promote the use of natural resources in waterborne
coatings.”
In the paper, the authors say the soybean oil-based monomers
“act as a very effective, non-fugitive plasticizer to facilitate film
formation at sub-ambient temperatures.” To allow effective incorJournal of Architectural Coatings / April 2005
poration of the oil-based monomer into a water-borne emulsion,
the research group created a water-dispersible soybean-oil acrylate macromonomer. The monomer was evaluated as a comonomer in coatings based on all-acrylic polymers and as an
additive or reactive diluent in a styrene-acrylic latex.
A significant challenge, and the focus of a good portion of the
research project, involved the evaluation of various “complementary chemistries” in an effort to improve cure rate and performance properties of the coating film.
Evaluations of semigloss and flat coatings
formulations indicated Evaluations of semigloss
that incorporation of the and flat coatings
soybean oil macromonformulations indicated
omers
resulted
in
improved latex coales- that incorporation of
cence without the use of the soybean oil
coalescent solvents that
macromonomers
are traditionally added to
water-borne coatings to resulted in improved
facilitate film formation.
latex coalescence
The evaluations were
based on comparisons without the use of
with similar formulations coalescent solvents.
that did not include the
soybean oil monomers.
Strong performance properties were evident in formulations
where use of the latexes incorporating the oil-based monomers
was optimized by means of combinations with diacetone acrylimide (DAAM) and adipic dihydrazide (ADH), the paper reported.
The researchers said the solvent resistance of resulting coatings
films “improved significantly” with the incorporation of DAAM
and ADH, due to increased crosslink density of the coating film.
“The results justify our approach of designing latexes using
[soybean oil monomers] that combine all the desirable properties
required of a universal latex for architectural coatings,” the
authors conclude.
JAC
15
Journal of
Architectural
Coatings
April 2005
Special Report:
Green Coatings
ECOMANIA:
Special Report on Green Coatings
Contents
Status of the
Technology • 18-36
Green Portfolio
Conde Nast Building • 19
ECHO Aquarium • 20
Fallingwater • 23
Green Products
Recycled Paint • 25
Sustainable
Raw Materials • 26
Self-certification
of Coating Line • 29
W
By Joe Maty, Editor, JAC
hen the coatings conversation gets around to the
subject of environmental friendliness, in the context of “green” building objectives and standards,
general agreement emerges on one central theme:
designers, specifiers, and coatings users have seen a
significant improvement in the selection and quali-
ty of products offered by coatings manufacturers.
After that, dissenting views quickly surface among those involved in coatings-
Green Seal Standard • 30
related aspects of the mushrooming green-building marketplace.
It might be said that coatings suppliers, their customers, green-building organizations, industry associations, and government agencies disagree more than
they agree on such issues as green-building guidelines and standards; the capa-
Product Directory • 36
On the Special Report Cover and photo above: Sherwin-Williams
Harmony® (0 VOC) interior coatings were used in the painting of the
office building and hotel lobby. Photos courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
18
bility of coatings formulators and manufacturers to make products that will
meet performance needs as environmental regulations and green-building standards become increasingly rigorous; and the effectiveness of existing certification programs in defining what really constitutes “green” products.
Take the strong opinions voiced by Chris Dixon, a Seattle architect, specifi-
Coatings technologies respond
to green-building phenomenon, but critics
take swipes at obstacles in the way of ‘eco-efficiency’
er, and member of the Material and
Dixon, despite his position on a key
LEED program’s IEQ credits for low-
Resources Technical Advisory Group of
USGBC advisory panel, scoffs at some of
emitting materials, with the benchmark
the U.S. Green Building Council
the provisions in the current LEED
for paint based on a certification stan-
(USGBC). The council is responsible for
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
dard issued more than 10 years ago by
the development and establishment of a
standards, saying they miss the mark if
the Green Seal organization. Dixon says
green-building rating system that evalu-
the target is improved indoor air quality.
the Green Seal standard—GS 11—
ates and certifies new buildings on the
basis of their environmental friendliness—the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) program.
Coatings, he says, offer a prime
example of these shortcomings.
“It’s wrong to focus on a handful of
products,” he says, referring to the
addresses only flat and nonflat interior
topcoats and fails to take into account
the chemical content or emissions of a
range of other coatings products, such
G r e e n
T
P o r t f o l i o
CONDÉ NAST Building
rior coatings used in the struche glittering, glass and
ture’s spectacular common
steel Conde Nast skyareas and offices. Winning the
scraper in New York,
contest for the role of coatings
home to the high-flying
supplier for these interior porpublishing empire of the same
tions was Benjamin Moore &
name, made its debut on the
Co.’s Eco Spec interior latex
Manhattan skyline in 1999 with
paint, a zero-VOC, low-odor
the kind of fanfare one might
product formulated to deliver
expect from the media powerthe appearance and applicahouse that counts the glossy
tion characteristics of top-ofVogue and glitzy Vanity Fair
the-line premium paints.
among its star vehicles.
The building has been
But under that glamorous,
hailed as the first project of its
postmodernist curtain-wall
size to embrace an ambitious
facade at 4 Times Square lies a
Photo
courtesy
of
Benjamin
Moore
&
Company
environmental agenda for
functional building design that
reduced energy use, indoor air quality, recycling systems, and
puts a premium on environmental friendliness, as conceived
sustainable design. A New York Times review praised the Fox
and executed by the noted New York architectural firm Fox &
& Fowle design as “a piece of urban theater, with a cluster of
Fowle.
neon signs at the base and an eruption of high-technology
This focus on environmental correctness encompassed a myrhardware popping out of the top.”
iad of building functions and materials, right down to the inte-
19
as clear finishes, coatings applied to fur-
ment should embrace a
niture, primers and sealers, and other
more “holistic” approach,
The USGBC is in the
coatings.
and address the emissions
process of developing an
profile of the building inte-
updated version of LEED
addressed,” he says. “The problem isn’t
rior as a whole, including
for New Construction,
really what’s covered; it’s what isn’t.”
all the components and
called LEED V2.2, but
materials.
Dixon says the revisions
“A lot of material isn’t even being
“Architects, green-building consultants, other uninformed people are
time to fix it,” he says.
Dixon acknowledges that
preaching that if you construct a space
the Green Building Council
using products in accordance with
recognizes its share of the
LEED low-emitting materials credits,
responsibility—and the
you will have good indoor air quality.
blame—for what’s wrong
Good IAQ has little to do with that.”
with current LEED low-
Instead, Dixon says, programs to
improve air quality and the environ-
G r e e n
will only begin to address
the shortcomings of the
standards.
Architect Dixon agrees that LEED
needs more work.
“All they’ve really been
able to handle was to up
the bar a little bit and
emitting materials standards.
“They recognize that, but it will take
make it more clear as to what’s included. But they realize there’s much more
P o r t f o l i o
ECHO aquarium and science center
A
Envirotoner no-VOC colorants. A
number of high-perforclear water-borne polyurethane
mance water-borne
was used to seal faux-finished
coatings supplied by
walls in high-traffic areas.
The Sherwin-Williams
For the ceilings, Finishing
Co. helped a green-leaning archiTouches used Sherwin-Williams’
tectural firm in Vermont design the
Bond-Plex water-borne acrylic
state’s first LEED-certified building—
coating. Though designed for
the $14.5 million ECHO aquarium
direct application to metal siding,
and science center in Burlington.
the acrylic met the project’s
Marty Sienkiewycz, of Smith,
requirements for low VOCs and
Alvarez, Sienkiewycz Architects in
delivered the desired finish for
Burlington, said his firm designed
the ceilings, said Mike Talbot,
the 28,000-square-foot ECHO cenFinishing Touches president.
ter with a number of goals in mind
Photo
courtesy
of
The
Sherwin-Williams
Company
“Bond-Plex has excellent dryfall
for indoor environmental quality.
characteristics,” he said. “We have continued to use it for this
The first coatings requirement: Only water-borne coatings
purpose since this project. It’s nice because we can get it in
could be used, with each product meeting strict standards for
most of the colors in the Sherwin-Williams palette, and the
VOC content.
coverage is outstanding.”
The architects worked closely with painting contractor
Those involved in the ECHO aquarium and science center
Finishing Touches Painting and Sherwin-Williams to specify
project see the combination of high-performance, low-VOC
products that would meet these criteria. Harmony, a high-percoatings and other environmentally friendly construction
formance, low-odor interior latex with no measurable VOCs,
methods and materials as a testament to the ideals behind
was used on 90 percent of the walls. To achieve some deep
the acronym that forms the facility’s name: “Ecology, Culture,
reds and purples, the specs called for Sherwin-Williams’
History, and Opportunity.”
ColorAccents interior latex tinted with the company’s
20
that needs to be done.”
On a positive note, Dixon adds
Business Group, Rust-Oleum Corp.,
pounds),” Paich says. “The answer is
says making paint with fewer VOCs
zero as far as we are concerned.”
that the council has gotten the message
and fewer toxics has benefited the
that the LEED system needs some work.
industry.
Revisions to the LEED standard for
“We’re very positive about what’s
happening in the industry. We see it as
“From Rust-Oleum’s point of view,
a good thing that more and more com-
carpeting offer a good example of
the question was how low can we go
panies are offering these products. The
changes needed elsewhere, focusing on
with VOCs (volatile organic com-
public and other coatings users are
overall emissions rather than simply
VOC content and a handful of prohibited chemicals. The draft LEED 2.2 program significantly expands the range of
carpeting materials that can affect air
quality and sets ceilings for several
chemical constitutents, he points out,
adding, “That’s exactly what will have
to happen for every material in the
building.”
Manufacturers respond
with new technologies
Dixon also has some blunt words for
coatings companies that complain
about regulations, standards, and certification programs that they say go
beyond the realm of the technologically possible.
When circumstances dictate, the
coatings industry has demonstrated
that it can work wonders in developing
new, low-VOC and less-toxic products
that also meet performance requirements, Dixon says.
“Most manufacturers have eagerly
accepted the challenge,” he says. “I
have learned from several manufacturers that in changing paint formulations to be lower in VOC content, significant improvements in performance
have been realized. Now we have
acrylics that perform far better than
alkyds, where once alkyds were the
gold standard for quality for interior
coatings. I now have a range of products to choose from that are low- or
zero-VOC that I routinely specify for
various interior substrates.”
Some in the coatings industry testify
on behalf of the case made by Dixon.
Brian Paich, brand manager, Industrial
21
No VOC. No odor. No worries.
Sierra’s full line of superior-performance coatings are
the only industrial epoxies and acrylics that have no odor,
no VOC, no hazardous air pollutants and no solvents.
Nothing to harm the environment. And since they’re
from Rust-Oleum, you can trust in their durability.
So if you want to help protect the indoor air quality of your
buildings – there’s a Sierra Performance coating just for you.
And the world around you. For industrial grade coatings that
truly are a breath of fresh air, call 800-769-6565.
www.rustoleum.com
© 2005 Rust-Oleum Corporation
NO SOLVENTS. JUST SOLUTIONS.
TM
demanding them. The more manufac-
made aggressive marketing of its
turers there are offering products like
“Horizon” line of Green Seal-certified
in the Northwest, but even where a pro-
this, the more raw materials there are
interior and exterior paints a corner-
ject is not necessarily LEED specified,
available to formulate them. It just
stone of an overall “green” market
we have enough architects who have
strengthens the industry.”
strategy. In the Pacific Northwest, he
worked on LEED projects or are familiar
says, green building and the LEED pro-
with LEED concepts, that they include
Marketing for Rodda Paint Co.,
gram are regarded as gospel in the
low-VOC paint in their master specs.
Portland, OR, says his company has
design and construction business.
And we agree with that,” Braden says.
Todd Braden, vice president of
“LEED is a widely understood practice
G r e e n
P o r t f o l i o
Frank Lloyd Wright’s FALLINGWATER
A
t “Fallingwater,”
coatings resins and other
Frank Lloyd
material components to proWright’s acclaimed
duce the company’s first higharchitectural icon
performance zero-VOC paint.
in the Laurel Highlands of
“It was a combination of
Pennsylvania, environmental conthings, and making sure
cerns rank high on the priority
everything in the paint system
list of the Western Pennsylvania
was zero VOC,” including
Conservancy, the non-profit
additives, pigments, thickenorganization that operates the
ers, and biocides used to give
historic site.
the paint the needed hiding
These concerns were evident in
power, gloss, mold and
the choice of interior paint for
mildew resistance, and applirestoration work at Wright’s mascation flow and leveling charterpiece in 2002.
acteristics. “It all had to blend
Photo courtesy of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Fallingwater, one of the most
together,” Wasik said.
highly recognizable examples of Wright’s genius in designing
Before its commercial introduction with the Fallingwater
buildings that blend with their environment, straddles a stream
application, the new product was put through the paces at
another western Pennsylvania historic site with a noteworthy
and waterfall in the leafy Laurel Highlands southeast of
environmental connection—the one-time home of the pioneerPittsburgh.
ing ecologist Rachel Carson, author of the groundbreaking
Site curators and project architects selected a then-brandbook “Silent Spring.” The use of Pure Performance in the intenew coating developed by PPG Industries Inc., “Pure
rior of the small, wooden home suggested that PPG’s developPerformance,” for interior painting work at Fallingwater. The
ment objectives had been met—environmental friendliness
specification at Fallingwater marked the formal launch of the
combined with premium-grade appearance and application
paint, a low-odor and zero-VOC water-borne acrylic posiproperties, Wasik said.
tioned as a premium interior paint and sold under PPG’s
Wasik said development programs for zero-VOC coatings
Pittsburgh Paints label.
have resulted in marked advances in the technology. “The first
“It’s environmentally friendly and high-quality, and met the
ones that came on the scene 10 to 15 years ago were not of
requirements for sheen, color, durability, and overall appearhigh quality,” he said. “Adhesion was sometimes marginal,
ance,” said Jim Wasik, a PPG development chemist who
and scrub resistance was low. There have been significant
played a key role in the formulation of the product.
improvements in both raw materials and formulation.”
Wasik said PPG employed “novel technology” involving
23
With the “Horizon” label, Rodda
says it is the first coatings company to
earn Green Seal certification for both
low-odor and non-HAP (hazardous air
pollutant).
and raw materials .
Paich, however, says offering green
Rust-Oleum, as with other compa-
products for architectural applications
nies offering no-VOC products,
is no guarantee that the coatings com-
declines to elaborate on proprietary
pany will prosper in the LEED era.
brand in his company’s portfolio of
chemistries and formulations. In gen-
Color and design issues remain para-
environmentally friendly coatings is
eral, Paich says, a key to the environ-
mount, as does performance. The big
Sierra Performance Coatings, a busi-
mental and performance profile of the
sea change in recent years, however, is
ness acquired in 2002. Paich says the
Sierra product line is successfully
the marked advance in the quality of
product line is somewhat unique in
emulsifying oil and water in a stable
green coatings.
that it comprises coatings designed for
mixture. Coalescence and cure of the
more demanding applications in
coating film is accomplished by means
about green paint, there was a stigma
industrial settings, once the exclusive
of advances in formulation technology
attached due to the perception that
interior and exterior coatings.
Rust-Oleum’s Paich says he flagship
the coatings did not work,” he says.
domain of solvent-borne products. The
company says the low-odor products
contain no measurable VOCs.
The Sierra product line features
“Beyond,” a multipurpose, 100%
acrylic water-borne product. The line
also includes water-borne acrylic urethanes, acrylic primers, epoxies, and
acrylic epoxies, all billed as no-VOC,
24
“Previously when people would talk
Sea Change-
“When these products were first intro-
A marked advance in the
what it is today, so that made users
duced, performance was nowhere near
quality of green coatings,
says Rust-Oleum’s Paich.
leery.”
“That has changed. That stigma is
no longer present. The end user can
have great color and performance, and
with all the environmental benefits.”
G r e e n
C
P o r t f o l i o
Kelly-Moore Paint’s ECOAT
an recycled paint
California, where state agencies
based on post-conare ostensibly required to make
sumer, or leftover,
sure products with recycled content
water-borne paint
account for 50 percent of their
shed its status as the Rodney
paint procurements. The catch: The
Dangerfield of architectural coatrequirement can be circumvented if
ings—getting no respect from
the product with recycled content is
would-be customers?
not equal to or superior in quality
Yes, says a representative of a
to non-recycled products. Current
major California-based manufacspeculation in California suggests
turer of architectural coatings that
that, for recycled paint, the amount
has been making and selling coatpurchased by state agencies is
ings with recycled content for
closer to 15 percent of the total
more than 10 years. But, adds
procured.
Walter Leclerc of Kelly-Moore
Despite losing a sales contract for
Paint Co., government agencies
recycled paint with the state a few
Photo courtesy of Kelly-Moore Paint Company
and other parties with an interest
years ago to a lower-priced bid,
in “closing the loop” with the use
Kelly-Moore soldiers on with proof recycled products must take steps to set some rules on
duction and marketing efforts for “ecoat” (e for “enviro”), the
quality and content.
company’s paint with recycled content. Leclerc says Kelly“The problem is, there are no genearally accepted perforMoore rigorously maintains its own performance and quality
mance standards” for recycled paint, Leclerc says, adding that
standards for ecoat, which contains a minimum of 50 percent
some type of generally accepted program of standards and
recycled post-consumer paint.
certification is needed to ensure that recycled paint is safe to
The company says the product is “completely re-manufacuse and won’t fail miserably in its intended purpose. Leclerc’s
tured” in a process where paint destined for recycling is sortresponsibilities include the operation of ecoat Recycled Paint
ed and tested, filtered, mixed, and adjusted for quality. New
Products, a division of Kelly-Moore.
ingredients are added to assure consistency in quality, color,
Other manufacturers and industry organizations agree, and
and performance. The paint is made at Kelly-Moore’s recythey have succeeded in getting a hearing from government
cling facility in Sacramento, CA, and sold throughout the
agencies involved with issues of household hazardous waste
Kelly-Moore store network. The product line includes interior
and product stewardship.
and exterior flat and semigloss paints offered in a full color
The lack of any sort of accepted product standards, Leclerc
range.
says, serves to discourage sales of recycled paint to the most logiLeclerc says Kelly-Moore is committed to environmentally
cal customers—government agencies charged with encouraging
responsible operations and programs, a philosophy reflected
recycling and the use of recycled products. Reluctance to purin the ecoat product line. “It’s not a profit center,” he said of
chase recycled paint on the part of governments, in turn, causes
the recycled-paint business. But he expresses frustration about
a chilling effect on consumer interest in the products, he says.
the failure of government agencies to fix what’s wrong with
“If governments aren’t buying, there’s a chain reaction—the
the marketplace for recycled-paint.
public’s not buying,” Leclerc says. He points to the situation in
“Governments need to take the lead,” he says.
25
G r e e n
P o r t f o l i o
SOUTHERN DIVERSIFIED: Seeds of growth
S
outhern Diversified Products L.L.C. arrived on the
parts of the country, says Rocky Prior, vice president and
coatings manufacturing scene a little more than
general manager.
two years ago, but the maker of environmentally
“One of our guiding philosophies is not to introduce a
friendly paint has already landed at least one cusproduct unless it provides a unique solution or property relatomer with a high profile and immense clout: The Pentagon.
tive to other products on the market,” Prior says. Reflecting
Southern Diversified, based in Hattiesburg, MS, was
this thinking, the company is at work on the development of
launched by the School of Polymers and High-Performance
an exterior paint line that will offer improved durability and
Materials at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM),
resistance qualities, he says.
recognized as one of the nation’s top coatings and polymers
In its marketing approach, Prior says Southern Diversified
programs.
has emphasized product quality as opposed to an exclusive
Legislation enacted by the
focus on the paint’s “green”
Mississippi legislature allows the
attributes. “We offer a premium
creation of such companies to
product at a lower price with the
license and commercialize the
added benefit that it’s green,” he
results of university research prosays. Also in keeping with this
grams as a tool of economic
strategy, the company downplays
development.
USM’s reputation as a leader in
Emerging early on from the
the development of technologies
company’s pipeline for product
based on renewable or “biodevelopment was the American
based” raw materials derived
Photo courtesy of Southern Diversified Products L.L.C.
Pride® line of zero-VOC, minifrom soybean and castor oils.
mal-odor interior paint, touted by Southern Diversified as forPrior says some potential paint users continue to view such
mulated to compete with the “best of the best” in the markettechnologies as being inferior in quality.
place for architectural coatings. Then, more recently, the
Sales are expanding rapidly, and the company is seeking
company rolled out a new paint line targeting the contractor
to triple its sales volume in 2005, he says. Marketing efforts
market, “American PROT.”
will be stepped up to target more sales at stores specializing
The company scored a major coup early in the game with
in “green” building products, and Prior says architects and
a deal to sell up to 10,000 gallons of American Pride a year
specifiers figure to be increasingly important as LEED buildfor use at the Pentagon. The paint line’s customer portfolio
ing projects gain momentum.
also includes the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
“The architectural community is looking more and more at
The product line is Green Seal-certified, listed as an
our products, and we expect to see more specification of the
approved product by the Master Painters Institute, and was
products,” he says.
named a “Top 10” award winner by Building Green magaIn addition to architectural coatings, products winding
zine in 2003, the company says. The product line includes a
their way through Southern Diversified’s development
drywall primer; a ceiling paint; and flat, eggshell and semipipeline include an agricultural-based water-borne latex
gloss finishes. The semigloss version incorporates ceramic
used to treat permanent-press camouflage uniforms for the
microspheres to boost washability and toughness of the paint
Marine Corps; a low-VOC water-borne coating to replace
film.
the traditional navy haze-gray topcoat; a formaldehyde-free
Sold originally in independent paint stores in Mississippi,
adhesive for particleboard; and a water-borne water repelAmerican Pride is experiencing rapid sales growth in other
lent that contains natural materials.
26
Problems With Your Concrete?
Find out for yourself or have KTA do the work!
Purchase or rent equipment from KTA for the
non-destructive determination of:
Still, Paich agrees that zero VOC
doesn’t work in every case.
“We believe that as a corporation we
can support both green and conventional coatings. It doesn’t have to be
one versus the other. It can be ‘what’s
the best coating for that application?’
There are cases where you don’t need
low-odor, low-VOC, and other prodPhoto courtesy of PROCEQ.
ucts are better suited.”
Green means more
than holding the line on VOCs
A parade of coatings manufacturers has
rolled out versions of low- or no-VOC
Call KTA today to learn more.
introduced the first “zero-VOC” paints
SPRED 2000 and LIFEMASTER 2000
interior latex paints. And manufactur-
Rebar placement and concrete cover
Permeability of cover
Rebar corrosion
Chloride contamination
Compressive strength
Uniformity
Crack and cavity detection
Moisture detection
Relative humidity & tensile strength (destructive)
As an alternative, KTA professionals can conduct the evaluation and
provide recommendations and specifications for concrete repair,
including appropriate sealants or coatings. Inspectors are also available
across the country to provide oversight of each step of the repair or
replacement process.
architectural coatings since ICI Paints
in the early 1990s with its Glidden

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1-800-245-6379/FAX (412) 788-1306
Email: [email protected]/Website: www.kta.com
ers also have learned a few lessons
Quality & Integrity Since 1949
along the way.
One of these lessons from the school
of market realities was that loudly
trumpeting “low VOC” in promotional
campaigns
didn’t galvanize paint
customers,
particularly
do-it-yourself
(DIY) consumers. Far
more persuasive was the
Spillane says repositioning of
‘Eco Spec’ has paid off.
“low-odor” or
“nearly noodor” feature
of these revolutionary new paints.
“It didn’t resonate with consumers,”
Scott Lewis, ICI Paints product technical manager, says of the arrival of noVOC paint. The company eventually
discontinued the SPRED 2000 brand,
which was sold under the Glidden
label at mass-market outlets catering to
DIY customers. The LIFEMASTER label
continues to be marketed through ICI’s
company-owned stores, targeting proJournal of Architectural Coatings / April 2005
27
fessional painters.
has accelerated interest in low-odor,
zero-VOC coating, “Pristine,” and
low-VOC coatings in these markets,
replacing it with the current name,
the benefit of low odor was a mar-
and coatings companies have gotten
“Eco Spec.” The product also was repo-
ketable commodity, particularly
on the bandwagon.
sitioned as part of the company’s coat-
Other companies also found that
among specifiers and paint users
One major maker of architectural
responsible for painting hospitals,
coatings, Benjamin Moore & Co.,
schools, offices, and other public
responded to this market reality by
buildings. The coming of the LEED era
dropping the name originally given its
ings product line for the commercial
marketplace.
“To be honest, back then there was
not a lot of passion about the environment and green products,” says Jeff
Spillane, senior marketing manager for
Want to find
out more
about green
coatings?
We wrote the
book on it .
Benjamin Moore’s Professional product
line. The repositioning strategy has
paid off with expanding sales to users
concerned about odor and indoor air
quality.
“As the green movement has gotten
bigger and bigger, demand has taken
off,” Spillane says. “Five years ago, you
couldn’t find a ‘green’ trade show.
There’s about seven of them now.” He
says Eco Spec sales are increasing faster
than the company’s overall coatings
sales.
Spillane says specifiers, architects,
and commercial and institutional
paint users will continue to drive
growth in the green-coatings segment.
“I’ve heard architects say that by 2010,
they will write specs only for green
buildings,” he says.
The green theme has expanded to
include a variety of coatings products,
some of them formulated for more
demanding applications and exposures, and others offering a specific
functional benefit such as energy conservation.
ICI Paints, for example, says its portfolio of green products features lowVOC, low-odor epoxies, block fillers,
Our Green Building Guide was created for
architects and designers who are developing
projects with a green focus in the Southwest.
It contains all the information you need about
various green programs and the superior
performing Dunn-Edwards products that meet
their specifications.
Call (888) DE PAINT for your free copy of our
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and direct-to-metal primers and finishes. Ameron International Inc., a maker
of high-performance coatings for
demanding applications, says its product offerings include epoxy siloxane,
epoxy mastic and aliphatic
polyurethane coatings that deliver a
positive environmental profile based
on low solvent content and absence of
©2005 Dunn-Edwards Corporation. All rights reserved.
28
heavy-metal pigments and other unde-
dients such as raw materials derived
Polymers business incorporates recy-
sirable materials.
from plants, or recycled content.
cled glass, contains no VOCs, and
The range of products carrying
A colossus in the field of architectur-
delivers “unsurpassed life cycle.”
strong green credentials in terms of
al coatings, The Sherwin-Williams Co.,
low or no VOCs, low odor, no heavy
has coined its own green pedigree for
also are produced by two major region-
metals, and other benefits continues to
products that meet certain criteria, and
al coatings companies based in
expand. These include intumescent
says the designation takes into account
California: Dunn-Edwards Corp., Los
fire-resistant coatings; water-borne
product content and lifecycle issues.
Angeles, and Kelly-Moore Paint Co.,
epoxies; materials for air barriers;
(See related story.) This “GreenSmart”
San Carlos. (See related story.) Dunn-
waterproofers; concrete sealers; decora-
designation has been affixed to a zero-
Edwards’ product line includes no-
tive flooring materials; traffic-deck
VOC, low-odor, silica-free interior latex
VOC, low-odor interior paints, and the
coatings; water-borne polyurethanes;
paint and a low-VOC, low-odor interi-
company plans to roll out a new,
commercial floor coatings; and a num-
or paint that offers “ultimate washabil-
upgraded zero-VOC product line this
ber of other specialty coatings and fin-
ity and burnish resistance” to reduce
summer.
ishes. (See buying-guide directory
the need for frequent repainting.
accompanying this report.)
Other entries in the green coatings
derby incorporate “sustainable” ingre-
Coatings made with recycled content
Coatings with a job to do
In another market segment, SherwinWilliams says an epoxy terrazzo floor-
In addition to formulating products
ing product offered by its General
designed to do no harm to the envi-
G r e e n
N
P o r t f o l i o
Sherwin-Williams’ GREENSMART
ot inclined to settle
for someone else’s
seal of approval,
The SherwinWilliams Co., a colossus in the
field of architectural coatings,
has staked out its own identity in
the expanding green-building
marketplace.
The company unveiled the
GreenSmart designation for its
“environmentally preferred products,” and said the name would
apply to coatings that offer longterm durability, low VOCs and
low odor, and meet or exceed
the criteria listed in the Green
Seal organization’s GS 11 standard for paint and coatings.
Photo courtesy of The Sherwin-Williams Company
Two Sherwin-Williams prodresistance, and a high level
ucts have been given the GreenSmart designation: the
soap.
“Harmony” and “Duration” interior latex coatings.
In announcing the launch of
GreenSmart, Sherwin-Williams
said the designation goes
“beyond most third-party certification,” and “takes into account
product performance and a variety of other criteria that impact
the environment.”
The company says Harmony is
a zero-VOC, silica-free product
that is low in odor and is formulated to offer antimicrobial properties to resist mold and mildew.
The product is offered as a
primer and in flat, eggshell, and
semigloss topcoats.
The Duration product is
described as a low-VOC coating
formulated to offer low odor,
antimicrobial properties, burnish
of washability with water or mild
29
And manufacturers aren’t complete-
ronment, coatings manufacturers chal-
long-term durability and extend the
lenge specifiers and users to make note
life of a metal roof by reducing ther-
ly alone in taking this view. Barry Law,
of technologies that contribute to the
mal expansion and contraction. The
president of the increasingly influen-
green cause in other, “functional”
fluoropolymer chemistry is described
tial Master Painters Institute (MPI),
ways. In the health and safety catego-
as “extremely inert” and highly resis-
voices some of the strongest opinions
ry, suppliers offer coatings for lead
tant to ultraviolet light, heat, and
heard anywhere about the green revo-
abatement and antimicrobial paints
moisture. The finishes are factory-
lution in building and environmental
designed to prevent mold and mildew
applied by means of the coil-coating
initiatives as it affects coatings. The
growth.
process and are reputed to offer long-
MPI is considered a leading authority
term durability in the 20-year range.
on the evaluation of coatings perfor-
Elsewhere, reflective and highly
mance and guidelines on effective
durable roof coatings and materials for
liquid-applied air barriers are designed
Performance vs. ‘friendliness’
application methods, and has issued
to boost the energy efficiency of build-
Even while compiling an impressive
product standards that are recognized
ings, another LEED priority.
record of progress in coatings technol-
by the U.S. and Canadian govern-
ogy that has produced this growing
ments.
A recent entry in the marketplace
for “cool-roof” technology is PPG
array of green products, coatings man-
Law’s targets include government
Industries Inc.’s “Duranar SPF,” which
ufacturers continue to express reserva-
regulators and green-building organi-
makes use of “infrared” ceramic pig-
tions that initiatives and environmen-
zations. The Green Building Council’s
ments to reflect sunlight and reduce
tal regulations for green building can
LEED standards, he says bluntly, “were
heat buildup.
go beyond the bounds of the reason-
something designed by well-meaning
able into the realm of the ill-con-
people who don’t know anything
high-performance fluoropolymer resin
ceived, counterproductive, and merely
about paint.” LEED and Green Seal
technology, formulated to provide
unrealistic.
guidelines, and some regulations
The SPF coatings are based on PPG’s
G r e e n
T
P o r t f o l i o
LEED Credits for Coatings
he Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
program of the U.S. Green Building Council gives credits
for interior coatings that meet the Green Seal GS 11 standard for paints. The following is a summary of the GS 11
standard. The complete standard can be viewed under the standards section of the Green Seal web site, www.greenseal.org.
VOCs (in grams per liter)
Nonflats 150 g/L
Flats
50 g/L
Performance Requirements
Scrubbability (abrasion resistance), based on ASTM D2486-89
Hiding power (opacity), based on ASTM D2805-88
Washability (stain removal), based on ASTM 4828-91
Prohibited Chemical Components
methylene chloride
1,1,1-trichloroethane
benzene
toluene
ethylbenzene
vinyl chloride
methyl phthalate
dimethyl phthalate
isophorone
antimony
cadmium
hexavalent chromium
lead
30
naphthalene
1,2-dichlorobenzene
di (2 ethylhexyl) phthalate
butyl benzyl phthalate
di-nbutyl phthalate
di-n-octyl phthalate
diethyl phthalate
mercury
formaldehyde
methyl ethyl ketone
methyl isobutyl ketone
acrolein
acrylonitrile
imposed by California
consideration not just
rior products lead to more frequent
authorities on air quality,
what’s emitted but what
recoating, Wendoll says. Painting
he says, don’t begin to
the compounds are, and
more often, in turn, consumes more
address the question of
also the question of lifecy-
raw materials, energy, and containers,
product performance, par-
cle analysis, or how long
putting additional demands on sup-
ticularly in light of the
will it last and what does
ply-chain resources and generating
wide range of service con-
it take to make it and use
increased volumes of solid metal or
ditions and environments
it?”
plastic waste.
encountered in the field.
On the other hand,
“Well-meaning people
designing the regulations
and environmentally
MPI’s Law campaigns for
performance standards
friendly programs have not
LEED certification requirements
Wendoll says certification
“were intended to address general
programs for green build-
house-type paints,” Wendoll says, and
ing need major changes to
“were never intended to be a standard
address aspects of perfor-
for architects and specifiers who need
to this point embraced a performance
mance and lifecycle of coatings mate-
to deal with the whole range of coat-
standard” for paint, he says. He asks
rials.
ings.” LEED “doesn’t take into account
whether a zero- or low-VOC paint is
“I think the U.S. Green Building
the complexity of the industrial main-
really contributing to cleaner air or
Council is well aware that the system
tenance coatings category, where you
lifecycle benefits if it’s applied several
needs a great deal of revision, and
have difficult substrates under
times as often as a higher-VOC paint.
continual revision, to improve its
demanding exposure conditions.”
Other complaints from Law and the
accuracy and usability in terms of
MPI are aimed at alleged shortcomings
actually identifying the eco-efficiency
in methods for measuring VOCs, VOC
of products and processes.”
standards, and the need to take into
NPCA joins the fray
The National Paint & Coatings
“Unfortunately, the Green Seal stan-
Association (NPCA), which represents
account differences in VOCs in terms
dard as it stands now is just a VOC-
of their varying rate of chemical reac-
limiting standard, with
aggressive campaign call-
tivity. The level of reactivity deter-
some minimal perfor-
ing for more attention to
mines a specific compound’s impact
mance requirements and
performance issues in the
on the formation of low-level atmos-
prohibition of a number
development of standards
pheric ozone pollution, or smog.
of compounds. The key
and programs for green
ingredient that makes
building. The campaign is
Wendoll, one of the coatings indus-
paint eco-efficient is its
currently directed at a
try’s most knowledgeable and outspo-
performance, particularly
new version of the
ken authorities on regulatory and
in terms of coverage and
USGBC’s LEED program
environmental issues, paints a “good
durability.”
for new construction, cur-
Dunn-Edwards Corp.’s Robert
news, bad news” picture of the green-
coatings manufacturers, has waged an
Lifecycle analysis,
rently nearing approval.
Dunn-Edwards’ Wendoll champions
‘eco-efficiency.’
building scenario. He says he is
Wendoll says, takes prod-
encouraged by the professed willing-
uct performance and
ness on the part of green-building
durability into account
organizations to take into account
and offers a much more comprehen-
required by law to navigate legally
product lifecycle and performance
sive assessment of “eco-friendliness.”
mandated processes for public com-
issues in charting a course for future
He says architects and specifiers he’s
ment that allow “stakeholders” to par-
standards and programs.
talked to “are aware of the idea that
ticipate.
“For too long, air-quality regulations
Among other complaints, the NPCA says
LEED standards are not
VOCs alone are not an accurate indi-
“They need to be consensus-based
have more or less captured the field,
cator of a coating’s environmental
and more scientifically sound,”
and did so solely for the sake of pre-
impact. We can make a strong case
Allison Keane, an NPCA government
sumed air-quality benefits,” he says.
that the lowest-VOC coatings may not
affairs counsel, says of LEED stan-
“What I like about the green-building
be the most eco-efficient.”
dards. “We want to make sure the
movement is that they are willing to
take a wider perspective, taking into
32
A profile of “eco-efficiency” should
take into account the reality that infe-
standards are scientifically based and
that we have a say, and so far that
Environmentally Gentle
• Green Seal Class A
certification
• Zero VOCs
• Ideal for “green building”
projects
• Minimal odor during
painting and drying
• Paint today, occupy
tonight
Superior Performance
• Easy application
• Durable finish
• High hiding
• Excellent adhesion
• Bright, clean white
• Available in in over 1,800
colors from the Voice of
Color® design system
• Mold and mildew
resistant on the paint film
ENVIRONMENTALLY GENTLE PAINT THAT
DELIVERS SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE
For more information about Pittsburgh® Paints,
visit www.pittsburghpaints.com or call 1-800-PPG-SPEC
hasn’t really happened.”
The NPCA currently is calling for a
Green-building leaders
recognize shortcomings
an ASTM Task Force on
Environmentally Preferable Products.
number of revisions in the USGBC’s
Representatives of the USGBC and
draft for version 2.2 of its LEED stan-
Green Seal don’t dispute the merit of
coatings users, and manufacturers
dards for new construction. A key tar-
complaints from coatings suppliers
would all benefit from a universally
get of the NPCA’s complaints is a pro-
and users.
accepted, comprehensive program that
posal to base VOC limits and prohibi-
Arthur Weissman, president of
Ritchie says architects, specifiers,
would address all the important envi-
tions of certain chemicals on Green
Green Seal, says performance provi-
ronmental and performance issues
Seal standards for interior topcoats
sions in GS 11, the organization’s
involving architectural coatings and
and anticorrosion coatings and the
standard for paint and coatings, are
related materials. She says the Master
South Coast Air Quality Management
“always open to revision. But based on
Painters Institute (MPI) has done
District’s Rule 1113 for “all other
experience, we think the criteria are
“some interesting work” in this area in
architectural coatings, primers and
adequate.” The organization also con-
an effort to quantify that “this paint
undercoaters.”
siders GS 11’s VOC levels to be “still
really works.”
The South Coast district, which sets
policies for air-quality regulations in
the Los Angeles area, has long held a
pretty good as far as defining a leader-
MPI President Law says his organization is up to the challenge of bringing
ship level.”
Calls for the Green Seal standard to
logic and order to this hotly debated
nationwide reputation as being home
be expanded to address performance
matter of green coatings and related
to the toughest environmental stan-
and composition specific to various
performance issues. The MPI currently
dards on coatings.
applications would require the devel-
is arguing its case to the USGBC for a
opment of a totally new standard, and
“simpler way” to establish environ-
plaints about these provisions in the
“we don’t have the funding for that,”
mental and performance objectives,
draft LEED 2.2 document, including
Weissman says. “I wish we did, but
and Law says his organization could
the following:
that’s a matter of resources.”
supply the details in short order.
The NPCA makes a number of com-
• The proposal incorporates, in effect,
Kirsten Ritchie, vice chairman of the
The MPI already maintains a certifi-
parallel, privately run, voluntary certi-
USGBC’s Material and Resources
cation program of its own for green
fications with a regulatory scheme
Technical Advisory Group, agrees that
products, complete with a database of
that is in force in one geographically
better standards are needed for paint
approved products. To qualify, prod-
small and environmentally unique
and coatings. The Green Seal stan-
ucts must meet current USGBC limits
area of the country;
dard’s VOC levels of 50 grams per liter
on VOCs, contain no known carcino-
• Green Seal “provides its proprietary
(g/L) for flat coatings and 150 g/L for
gens or crystalline silica, and meet the
certification in exchange for product-
nonflats are “just a gross measure. It’s
institute’s more extensive performance
evaluation fees”;
more important to know what the dif-
requirements.
• Green Seal’s list of “banned” chemi-
ferent compounds are,” she says.
cals was developed using “unknown
Law says that without performance
The challenge, Ritchie says, is to
measures, any green program fails to
criteria and contains numerous chemi-
develop a more effective regime that
give a true assessment of a product’s
cals that vary widely in toxicity and
also is user friendly.
environmental friendliness. Under
potential for environmental harm.”
The NPCA lauds the USGBC for tak-
“What we want to do is come up
current Green Seal and LEED pro-
with methodology that’s quick and
grams, he says, “A gray paint would
ing steps toward the incorporation of
smart. What we have now is quick
test as white.”
lifecycle analysis into the LEED rating
and cheap, but we know it is a crude
system. But the association says lifecy-
tool and we need to be smarter at it.”
cle analysis was not used as the basis
Ritchie is the director the
for ratings in the proposed version
Environmental Claims Certification
2.2. The ratings, therefore, “are based
Program at Scientific Certification
on scientific criteria that continue to
Systems (SCS). The company, based in
inappropriately discriminate against
California, independently verifies the
certain buildings materials,” the asso-
accuracy of environmental claims on
ciation says.
products. Ritchie also is chairman of
34
“Lack of performance is not environmentally friendly,” he says.
JAC
M
Directory of Green Coatings
anufacturers known to supply architectural coat-
Thirty-six companies responded with information that
ings were invited to complete a "Green Coatings
includes product name, type, certifications acquired (such as
Product Survey," listing and describing the prod-
Green Seal), and attributes of the product that make it
ucts which they market as "green" or environmentally
"green." The responses are shown in the table below. Contact
friendly.
information for each company is given following the table.
COMPANY
Alistagen Corporation
Ameron
Ameron
Ameron
Benjamin Moore
PRODUCT NAME
Caliwell/BNA
PSX 700
Amerlock Series
Amershield Series
Eco Spec®
Cass Polymers, Inc.
Cass Polymers, Inc.
Coronado Paint
PolyMax PM 400
Supercoat Liquid Flooring
Air Care
Coronado Paint
Coronado Paint
Dayton Superior Corp.
Super Kote
Tough Walls
Perma Primer
Intraseal
Day-Chem Sure Hard J-17
Diamond Vogel Paints
Permacoat
Permalastic
Perma Block Filler
Health-Kote
Dunn Edwards
Aqua Pox
Sierra
Dunn Edwards
Dunn Edwards
Recover
Ecoshield
DuPont Industrial Coatings
Imron® 1.5 PR™ Waterborne Polyurethane
Copolymer Primer
Tufcote® LV FT™ Flat Waterborne White Acrylic
Tufcote® 1.9 HG-D™ High Gloss Waterborne
Acrylic DTM
Imron® 1.5 ST-D™ Waterborne Polyurethane
Copolymer DTM
Imron® 1.2 HG™ High Gloss Waterborne
Polyurethane Copolymer
Imron® 1.8 FT-C ™ Flat Clear Waterborne
Polyurethane Copolymer
Imron® 1.2 HG-C™ High Gloss Clear
Waterborne Polyurethane Copolymer
Duromar High Performance Linings
Duromar Maintenance Repair Compounds
RSP
Tru-Glaze® WB 4408
Tru-Glaze® WB 4406
Tru-Glaze® WB 4015
Devflex™ 659
Devflex™ 4020 PF
Tru-Glaze® WB 4030
Duromar Inc.
Duromar Inc.
Engineered Polymers
ICI Paints
ICI Paints
ICI Paints
ICI Paints
ICI Paints
ICI Paints
TYPE
Architectural anti-microbial paint
Epoxy siloxane
Epoxy mastic
Aliphatic polyurethane
Primer/sealer, flat, eggshell, and
semi-gloss wall paint
Waterborne epoxy
Waterborne epoxy
Acrylic primer, flat, eggshell and
semi-gloss wall paints
Water-based interior wall paints and primers
Acrylic wall paints
Clear primer
Penetrating water-based reactive siliconate
for concrete floors
Penetrating water-based reactive siliconate
for concrete floors
High build acrylic
High build elastomeric acrylic
Exterior acrylic block filler
Latex flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss
wall paint
Waterborne epoxy
Sealer/undercoater, flat, eggshell,
and semi-gloss wall paint
Interior, exterior flat wall paint
Sealer/undercoater, flat, low sheen
and semi-gloss interior wall paint
High performance primer
CERTIFICATION
Green Seal, Green
Guard
ATTRIBUTES
0 VOC, no odor, antimicrobial
low VOC, isocyanate-free, non-toxic pigmentation
low VOC, non-toxic pigmentation
low VOC, non-toxic pigmentation
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
Greenspec
MPI
MPI
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
recycled
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor, no HAP's
Exterior flat latex
Direct-to-metal high gloss acrylic
very low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
High performance, satin finish
direct-to-metal coating
High performance, high gloss topcoat
High performance flat clear
High performance, high gloss clear
Epoxy
Epoxy
Silicone-modified polyurea
Waterborne epoxy, gloss, for floors and walls
Waterborne epoxy, semi-gloss, for floors and walls
Waterborne epoxy, block filler
Waterborne acrylic DTM enamel
Waterborne acrylic DTM primer and flat
Waterborne epoxy polyamide primer
for metal and flat masonry
0 VOC, low odor, no HAP’s
0 VOC, low odor, no HAP’s
0 VOC, 0 HAP's, 0 free isocyanates
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
continued on next page
35
COMPANY
Kelly-Moore Paint Co.
PRODUCT NAME
Enviro-Cote
e-coat recycled paint products
Key Resin Company
Lauren Coatings & Composites
Key Enviroglas Epoxy Terrazzo
Python WH
Fluorolast WB
Python FS
Fluorolast SB Low VOC
Enviropure Flat
Enviropure Eggshell
Enviropure Semi-Gloss
Elasto-Deck 6500 Series
Elasto-Deck B.T. 100% Solids
Tuffrez 232 AR
Tuffrez 200 LT
Tuffrez 236
Pittsburgh® Paints-Pure Performance®
Pittsburgh® Paints-Pure Performance®
Duranar® SPF Coatings
Coraflon™ ADS Coatings
Mega Seal Floor Coatings
Pro-Hide Gold, Interior Latex Low Odor
Prime Coat Seamless System
Aqua-Rock
Granit-Rock Quartz Flooring
Dura-Flake Flooring
Horizon
Beyond
Metalmax
Griptec
S16/S22
S 50/51/40/42/70/71
SE-110 Penetrating Stabilizer
SE-120 Protective-Skin
TPX-85 nano TiO2 photocatalytic coating
General Polymer® Epoxy Terrazzo
Floors/Sherwin-Williams
Duration Home™
Harmony™
Series 287 Enviro-Tread
Series 297 Enviro-Glaze
M.A. Bruder & Sons, Inc.
Pacific Polymers
Pacific Polymers
Polyspec L.P.
Polyspec L.P.
Polyspec L.P.
PPG Industries
PPG Industries
PPG Industries
PPG Industries
PPG Industries
Pratt & Lambert Paints
Prime Coat Corp.
Rock-Tred Corp.
Rock-Tred Corp.
Rock-Tred Corp.
Rodda Paint
Rust-Oleum Corp.
Rust-Oleum Corp.
Rust-Oleum Corp.
Rust-Oleum Corp.
Rust-Oleum Corp.
Safe Encasement Systems
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams
Tnemec Company, Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tremco Inc.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Series 1080 Endura-Shield WB
Series 156 Enviro-Crete
ExoAir™ Fluid-Applied Air and
Vapor Barrier Membrane
Tremproof® 260 Spray-Applied
Waterproofing Membrane
ExoAir® WB Primer
Vulkem Deck Coatings-white
Vulkem Aromatic 950NF/Aliphatic
951NF/360NF 348/NF 346/NF
Spertrem Silicone Sealants
Tremkor 120 EP Primer
InstaCure™ UV-Cured Floor Coating
Eco-Protekt™ Cementitious Trowel
Overlay System
Eco-EDS™ Static Dissipative
Epoxy Coating System
Eco-TCU™ Thick-Coat Urethane Topcoat
Eco-Shield™ High-Wear Epoxy
Eco-Hard-N-Seal™ Concrete Hardener
and Sealer
TYPE
Interior, primer-sealer, flat wall paint,
eggshell and semi-gloss enamels
Flat and semi-gloss interior and exterior
acrylic paints
Epoxy terrazzo flooring
Polyurea
Fluoroelastomer
Polyurea
Fluoroelastomer
Vinyl acetate/acrylic latex
Elastomeric traffic deck coating
Elastomeric waterproof membrane
Waterborne polyurethane
Low temperature epoxy topping binder
Waterborne polyurethane
Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss interior wall paint
Primer
Exterior coating
Fluoropolymer exterior coating
Self-leveling floor coating
Primer, flat, eggshell and semi-gloss
100% solids, epoxy wall, floor & ceiling
Waterbased epoxy concrete sealer
Epoxy floor coating
Epoxy floor coating
Interior and exterior paints, full line
Water-based acrylic urethane
Water-based acrylic urethane
Water-based acrylic primer
Acrylic epoxy
Water-based epoxy
Primer for lead-based paint abatement
Top-coat for lead-based paint abatement
Top-coat to prevent mold growth
Flooring
Interior latex
Interior latex
Water-based epoxy floor coating
Ceramic-modified, water-based
polyurethane floor coating
Water-based polyurethane exterior coating
Modified, water-based acrylate
Air barrier membrane
CERTIFICATION
ATTRIBUTES
Green Seal, MPI,
low VOC, low odor
USDA
California, US
recycled content, 50% minimum
recycling requirements
low VOC, 75% recycled content, long life cycle
low VOC, low odor, 100% solids
low VOC, low odor, waterborne, chemical-resistant
low VOC, low odor, 100% solids
low VOC, chemical resistance
Green Seal
0 VOC, low odor
Green Seal
0 VOC, low odor
Green Seal
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, 100% solids
0 VOC, low odor, 100% solids
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
Green Seal-Class A
low VOC, low odor
Green Seal-Class A
low VOC, low odor
heat reflective
long life expectancy
0 VOC, hygienic
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
Green Seal
low VOC, low odor, non-toxic pigmentation
0 VOC, no odor, no HAP's
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, sustainable and recycled raw materials,
long life cycle
low VOC, low odor, antimicrobial, burnish resistance
0 VOC, low odor, antimicrobial, silica-free
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor, high performance
low VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor, green functionality (energy savings)
Waterproofing
low VOC, low odor
Primer for air barrier
Deck, industrial and roof coating
Deck, industrial and roof coating
Energy Star
low VOC, low odor, green functionality (energy savings)
Reflectivity
low VOC, low odor
Sealant, caulking
Primer
Industrial and commercial flooring
Industrial flooring
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor, 0 isocyanate
0 VOC, low odor, water based
Industrial flooring
low VOC, low odor
Industrial floor coating
low VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
continued on next page
36
COMPANY
Tennant Co.
PRODUCT NAME
Eco-PT™ 250 Power-Trowel
Epoxy Resurfacer
Eco-MPE™ Multi-Purpose Epoxy
Eco-FSE™ Fast-Set Epoxy
Eco-RCE™ Rapid-Cure Epoxy
Eco-PJS™ Polyurea Joint Filler
Eco-CRE™ Chemical Resistant Epoxy
Eco-HF™ 250 High-Fill Epoxy Resurfacer
Eco-FPE™ Fast Patch Epoxy Resurfacer
Eco-HT™ 250 High-Temperature
Epoxy Overlay resurfacer
Eco-EG™ Epoxy Grout
Eco-EJF™ Epoxy Joint Filler
Eco-RS™ 60/125 Self-Leveling Resurfacers
CAFCO SprayFilm-WB2
TYPE
CAFCO SprayFilm-WB3
Durashield
Roof Mate
Water-based, intumescent,
fire-resistive coating for interiors
fire-resistive coating for exteriors
Elastomeric acrylic (roof and wall)
Elastomeric roof coating
United Coatings
Arathon
Elastomeric roof coating
United Coatings
Canyon Tone Stain
Concrete stain
W. R. Meadows, Inc.
W. R. Meadows, Inc.
W. R. Meadows, Inc.
Zinsser Co., Inc.
Zinsser Co., Inc.
Zinsser Co., Inc.
Zinsser Co., Inc.
Zolatone Interior Finishes
ZRC Worldwide
Mel-Rol LM
Liqu-Hard
Air-Shield LM
B-I-N®
Bulls Eye® Shellac
Bulls Eye® French Polish
Bulls Eye® SealCoat™
Polomyx® by Zolatone®
Lluminations™ by Zolatone®
Airless™ by Zolatone®
Zero VOC ZRC Cold Galvanizing Compound
Waterproofing
Concrete densifier, sealer
Air barrier
Pigmented, shellac-base, primer-sealer
100% shellac-base finish and sealer
100% shellac-base padding and wiping finish
100% dewaxed shellac-base sanding sealer
Multi-color interior paint
Light reflective specialty finish
Airless-applied multi-color paint
Inorganic zinc-rich coating
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
Tennant Co.
U.S. Mineral, dba.Isolatek
International
International
International
UCSC
United Coatings
CAFCO SprayFilm-WB-4
CERTIFICATION
ATTRIBUTES
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
low VOC, low odor, HAP's-free, no halogens,
no heavy metals fire-resistive coating for interior
no heavy metals
no heavy metals
0 VOC, water-based
water-based, reflective surface
UL
UL
UL
Energy Star, CDRC
UL, FM, ICBO,
Energy Star
UL, FM, ICBO
Energy Star
UL, FM, ICBO,
Energy Star
water-based, reflective surface
water-based
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
0 VOC, low odor
sustainable raw materials
low VOC, antimicrobial
0 VOC, HAPS-free, low odor
Company Contact Information
Alistagen Corporation
Ten Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-317-0100
Fax: 212-289-5118
Contact: Bryan Glynson
Email: [email protected]
Ameron
13010 Morris Rd, Suite 400
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Tel: 800-926-3766
Fax: 678-566-2697
Contact: L.E. Marquez
Benjamin Moore
51 Chestnut Ridge Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
Tel: 201-573-9600
Contact: Danielle Perrotto
600 Reed Road
Broomall, PA 19008
Tel: 610-353-5100
Fax: 610-353-8189
Contact: George Przybylski
Cass Polymers, Inc.
12005 N. Virginia Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Tel: 405-755-8448
Fax: 405-755-8449
Contact: Brian Blake
Email:
[email protected]
4226 Kansas Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66106
Tel: 562-254-5260
Fax: 310-830-4566
Contact: J.V. “Van” Crary
Email:
[email protected]
Coronado Paint
308 Old County Road
Edgewater, FL 32132
Tel: 386-428-6461 X161
Fax: 386-428-8654
Contact: Aaron Dhawan
1110 Albany Place S.E.
P.O. Box 380
Orange City, IA 51041
Tel: 712-737-8880
Fax: 712-737-4998
Contact: Perry Foreman
37
Preparation
Contractor
Specifier
Coating
Manufacturer
Application
Contractor
Specialty Coatings is a complex business.
All projects involve specification of a
system, substrate preparation, and
installation of a manufacturer’s coating.
Each step is critical for the ultimate success
of the system.
That’s why Prime Coat Coating Systems
integrates all of these steps to deliver turnkey
coating solutions.
Floors, walls, ceilings and a wide variety of
proprietary coatings – guaranteed from a
single source!
Dunn-Edwards
4885 E. 52nd Place
Los Angeles, CA 90040
Tel: 323-771-3330
Fax: 322-826-2669
Contact: Phillip Hain
BMP21-1130,
4417 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington DE 19805
Tel: 302-992-4928
Fax: 302-892-5693
Contact: Carol Hatch
Email:
[email protected]
Duromar Inc.
35 Pond Park Road
Hingham, MA 02043
Tel: 781-749-6992
Fax: 781-749-0021
Contact: Raymond J. Jaworski
[email protected]
Engineered Polymers
2842 Progress Road
Madison, WI 53716
Tel: 608-661-7800
Fax: 608-661-2817
Contact: Stuart B. Smith
Email:
[email protected]
ICI Paints
16651 Sprague Road
Strongsville, OH 44136
Tel: 440-826-5144
Fax: 440-826-5521
Contact: Vijay Datta
987 Commercial Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
Tel: 800-874-4436
Fax: 650-592-7012
Contact: Mark Zielinski
Email:
[email protected]
Decorative and Defensive Coating Solutions
from a Single Source
877-362-5111
www.primecoat.com
Key Resin Company
4061 Clough Woods Drive
Batavia, OH 45103
Tel: 513-943-4225
Fax: 513-943-4255
Contact: Eric Borglum
[email protected]
Lauren Coatings &
Composites
2162 Reiser Avenue
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Tel: 330-308-7362
Fax: 330-308-7370
Contact: Edward H. Reisinger
W.R. Meadows Inc.
P.O. Box 338
Hampshire, IL 60140
Tel: 800-342-5976
Fax: 847-603-4544
Contact: Glenn Tench
Pacific Polymers
1227l Monarch Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Tel: 714-898-0025
Fax: 714-898-5687
Contact: Kimberly Groscot
Polyspec L.P.
6614 Gant Road
Houston, TX 77106
Tel: 281-397-0033
Fax: 281-397-6512
Contact: Lysa Young
PPG Industries
One PPG Place – 37W
Pittsburgh, PA 15272
Tel: 412-434-4175
Fax: 412-434-2282
Contact: Susan Bardusch
Prime Coat Corp.
510 N. First Street
Libertyville, IL 60048
Tel: 847-362-5111
Fax: 847-362-5149
Contact: Chris O’Brien
[email protected]
Pratt & Lambert Paints
101 W. Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Tel: 216-566-3056
Fax: 216-566-1655
Contact: Andrew J. Rzicznek
Call About Our Manufacturer’s Rep. Opportunities!
38
Rock-Tred Corp.
3415 Howard Street
Skokie, IL 60076
Tel: 800-762-8733
Fax: 847-679-6665
Contact: Jim Selcke
Rodda Paint
12000 SW Garden Place
Portland, OR 97223
Tel: 503-521-4300
Fax: 503-737-6004
Contact: Todd Braden
Email:
[email protected]
Rust-Oleum Corp.
11 Hawthorn Parkway
Vernon Hills, IL 60614
Tel: 847-573-7844
Contact: Brian Paich
7860 Dana Point Ct.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
Tel: 888-277-8834
Fax: 888-277-8835
Comtact: John Thoburn
Email:
[email protected]
Tremco Sealant/
Weatherproofing Division
3735 Green Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
Tel: 216-292-5189
Fax: 216-766-5543
Contact: David Breimeier
Email:
[email protected]
UCSC
3010 W. Lincoln Street
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Tel: 602-269-9711
Fax: 602-269-2176
Contact: Lela Wright
United Coatings
19011 E. Cataldo
Spokane Valley, WA 99016
Tel: 509-926-7143
Fax: 509-928-1116
Contact: Joy Warden
U.S. Mineral, dba. Isolatek
International
41 Furnace Street
Stanhope, NJ 17874
Tel: 800-631-9800
Fax: 973-347-9170
Contact: Charles A. Nuzzo
ZRC Worldwide
145 Enterprise Drive
Marshfield, MA 02050
Tel: 781-319-0400
Fax: 781-319-0404
Contact: Steven Collins
400 Charter Way
Billerica, MA 81862
Tel: 978-663-0050
Fax: 978-667-1980
Contact: Charlie Kelliher
Zinsser Co., Inc.
173 Belmont Drive
Somerset, NJ 08875
Tel: 732-652-2298
Fax: 732-652-2491
Contact: Katie Sikorski
[email protected]
Sherwin-Williams
101 Prospect Avenue, N.W.
Cleveland, OH
Tel: 216-515-4313
Fax: 216-566-1392
Contact: Bill Rafie
Tennant Co.
701 N. Lilac Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55440
Tel: 763-540-1568
Fax: 763-513-1829
Contact: Bill Bault
Email:
[email protected]
6800 Corporate Drive
Kansas City, MO 64120
Tel: 816-483-3400
Fax: 816-483-3969
Contact: Mark Thomas
39
Com
us a e visi
CSI t the t
SHO
W!
With EcoSpec paint,
every color is “green”.
®
With virtually zero VOCs and low odor, EcoSpec® paint
shows off your design sense and your common sense.
The EcoSpec® line, from Benjamin Moore, was created in response to
the demand for “green” products from our community. We’re proud that
EcoSpec® has received both GREENGUARD® and Green Seal® certification.
And the EcoSpec® line - a primer, and three finishes – is available in
thousands of colors, even green.
For more information, call 1-888-BEN-MOOR or
visit benjaminmoore.com.
©2005 Benjamin Moore. Benjamin Moore, EcoSpec, the triangle “M” device and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks, licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co.
GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified is a registered trademark of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, and Green Seal is a registered certification mark of Green Seal, Inc.
GettingItRight
The Spec- Blueprint for success
By Jayson L. Helsel, P.E.
T
he success of a coatings project
Specification document substrate materials) or whether the condition of the
depends on many factors, including
existing coatings varies widely.
done right covers all
the painting specification. A complete,
For steel or concrete substrates, established industry
clear, and concise specification will
standards, such as SSPC and NACE standards,
the bases of product
give a project a solid foundation for success.
should be referenced. When abrasive blast cleaning is
selection, surface
Writing a complete specification is not a simple
utilized for metal substrates, an adequate surface protask, but there are established formats and guidelines
file should be specified, including an acceptable propreparation, and
published by organizations such as the Construction
file range (e.g., 2 to 3 mils instead of 2.5 mils). The
Specifications Institute (CSI) and SSPC.
profile should also be consistent with coating manucoating application
Once the framework of a specification is in place, it
facturers’ recommendations.
is important to recognize areas where many specifications are defiGuidance for the preparation of other surfaces, such as wood or
cient, including product recommendations, details of surface prepaplaster, is more difficult to find, and industry-wide standards for
ration, and guidelines on coating application. A brief summary of
surface preparation generally do not exist. Here, adequate surface
potential problems follows.
preparation can be specified with descriptions of good painting
practices such as proper cleaning to remove dirt and other foreign
Product selection
materials, removing loose coatings, and feathering or sanding
The coatings required for a project should be identified as comadherent coatings to provide a smooth interface with any areas of
pletely as possible. In most cases, the term “coatings” refers to mulexposed substrate. Coatings manufacturers can also be consulted
tiple coats of different products that comprise a coating system.
for specification language on surface preparation prior to use of
Unless a single coat is specified, there must be proven compatibilitheir products.
ty among the individual products in a coating system.
A general rule for specifying coating systems is that all products
Coatings application
must come from the same manufacturer. Additionally, manufacturThe portion of the specification concerning coatings application
ers should be contacted for confirmation of specific product recomshould address acceptable ambient conditions, coating application
mendations for the given project conditions and requirements.
methods, and acceptable ranges of coating thicknesses. Other
When a project involves painting over existing coatings, the new
items, such as caulking or stripe coating, may be applicable to
coatings must also be compatible with the existing coatings. The recsome projects.
ommended approach for overcoating includes applying and evaluThe ambient conditions are typically more of a concern for the
ating representative test patches of candidate coating systems prior
application of coatings outdoors, but still need to be considered
to the final selection of coatings.
indoors, particularly if dealing with new construction, where a strucCoatings for a project are often selected from a pre-established
ture may not be heated. Cold temperatures or the presence of too
qualified products list (QPL). If there is no QPL, coatings should first
much moisture may prevent coatings from being properly applied or
be identified by their generic type (e.g. alkyd, acrylic, epoxy, etc.),
cured. Product information from the manufacturer should give
then referenced by several (at least three) manufacturers’ specific
acceptable temperature and humidity ranges for application, includproducts.
ing the amount of time needed for curing and recoating. Note that
drying times are lengthened at lower temperatures.
Surface preparation
The particulars of the job site or structure may also dictate whether
Specifying the proper surface preparation is another critical step
certain application methods are preferable or required. For coating
toward achieving project success. The specifier must consider all
thickness, a range should be specified versus a nominal thickness
applicable job-site conditions, which may include the nature of the
(e.g., 3 to 5 mils instead of 4 mils).
facility, the complexity of a structure, or any other unique condiA successful painting specification must be complete and cover all
tions that may impact the coating work. Consideration should be
project details. Careful attention in addressing common problem
given to whether multiple methods of surface preparation are warareas will improve the specification and help a project get started in
ranted for different parts of a facility or building (e.g., different
the right direction and be completed in a more efficient manner. JAC
41
Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies
Photos courtesy of HOK Sport + Venue + Event
The right calls
on coatings
Exposed structural steel in sports facilities presents variety of
issues, challenges in devising a winning game plan for finishes
D
By John C. Williams
esigners of sports
facilities strive to
enhance the fan
becomes the focal point of the facility
in the eye and mind of the spectator.
To ensure that the facility’s aesthetics
experience at ath-
stand the test of time, a number of
letic events by
important considerations should be
providing a venue
taken into account when analyzing the
that is attractive,
clean, comfortable,
and exciting. The public
will rarely see many of the private
types and quality of liquid coatings systems applied to these structural steel
design elements.
Key criteria for the selection and
spaces within a stadium or arena, such
application of high-performance protec-
as team locker rooms. But fans do see
tive coatings systems for structural steel
and/or use concession stands, public
in public facilities include:
restrooms, concourses, stairs, ramps,
• The environment;
playing fields, scoreboards, and seating
• Initial cost;
bowls.
• Coating system and color selection;
A major design element of many of
• Lifecycle cost;
these facilities is the exposed structural
• Sequencing of coatings application—
steel that has been chosen to serve as
shop versus field; and
an integral part of the overall architec-
• The ability of the owner to provide
tural design. A striking design for the
maintenance.
steel structure conveys an image that
The different environments and
M & T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens
42
FedEx Field, home of
the Washington Redskins
exposure conditions that are encoun-
ing system is an inexact science and is
facilities, with selection generally deter-
tered in these facility settings can vary,
dependent on many issues, but the
mined by the needs dictated by specific
and can include chemical contamina-
most important are the quality of the
locations, environments, and stadium
tion from adjacent industrial facilities;
original coating system, the quality of
elements. In new projects, the options
physical abuse from subsequent con-
shop and field application practices,
include the use of several coatings sys-
struction and public use; weather and
and the quality and frequency of pre-
tems and application methods based
exposure to ultraviolet light ; and abra-
ventative maintenance.
on a division of the structure into three
sion and erosion caused by blowing
Although interior structural steel
zones—the roof and lighting structures,
may not be subject to the same long-
the primary building frame, and the
Many major sports facilities are
term exposures as exterior steel, it will
building frame in public areas.
located in environments that are less
be exposed during the normal, extend-
than ideal. Many of the principal cities
ed construction periods, with full
vice in both exterior and interior sur-
of this country have been established
enclosure of the facility taking up to
faces are listed in Table 1. Discussion of
based on access to water, in many
two years. This short-term exposure
these alternatives follows.
cases salt water. Another factor is the
should be considered for color and
presence of heavy industry, a situation
gloss issues only. If properly applied,
Primers
that has become more commonplace
the corrosion protection of the coating
Acrylic, polyurethane, fluoropolymer,
due to the preference of keeping sports
system should not be compromised
and epoxy systems A, B, C, D, and F
stadiums in downtown areas. These
during this short-term exposure.
(Table 1) include an organic zinc-rich
dirt and sand.
locations with marine and industrial
Stadiums with operable roofs present
Coatings systems that have seen ser-
primer based on either an epoxy or a
exposures create some of the harshest
an additional dilemma for both interi-
polyurethane resin or binder. The
environments for life expectancy of
or and exterior steel. This steel is
choice of binder is not as important as
coatings systems, particularly with
exposed during construction, and
the concentration—the size, shape and
regard to aesthetics.
much of it is exposed when the roof is
distribution of the pigment—and elec-
open after the facility is completed and
trical conductivity of the zinc particles.
in use.
SSPC defines organic zinc-rich primers
Coatings systems for structural steel
in public sports facilities must be
designed to provide both a high
degree of corrosion protection and an
appearance that will remain attractive
as containing zinc dust at a minimum
Coatings systems
offer some options
for an appreciable length of time. Life
A variety of coatings systems have
expectancy of an applied exterior coat-
been specified for use in public sports
of 93 percent by weight of pigment and
77 percent by weight of total solids.
The polysiloxane system (E) allows
the use of a higher-performance inor43
ganic zinc primer; however, organic
plete cure. Subjective tests, such as a
unless the product coat has a tested
zinc may also be suitable. SSPC defines
“nickel-rub” test, have been used to
Class B rating.
inorganic zinc primers as containing
approximate the degree of cure.
zinc dust at a minimum of 87 percent
Inorganic zinc is also prone to exces-
Exterior finish coats
by weight of pigment and 74 percent
sive film build.
Four different possibilities for exterior
by weight of total solids.
finish coat materials include acrylic,
Exterior intermediate coats
polyurethane, fluoropolymer, and poly-
jects, primers must be tested and
For the three-coat polyurethane (C)
siloxane coatings. These are reviewed
approved for use as having a Class B
and fluoropolymer (D) systems, the
below.
slip coefficient for slip-critical bolted
intermediate coats provide additional
• High-performance acrylic (System A):
connections.
corrosion and erosion protection for
This is a one-component topcoat that
the steel as well as better hiding for
provides good color and gloss retention
zinc-rich primer instead of inorganic
aesthetic purposes. Application of the
for exterior applications. It is available
zinc is the definable cure period based
intermediate coat over the primer is
in either high-gloss or semigloss finish.
on temperature and humidity, which
not a difficult task. The primer must be
This coating is relatively easy to touch
allows effective subsequent application
adequately dry for recoating in accor-
up due to its availability as a single-
of an intermediate coat with confi-
dance with the manufacturer’s instruc-
component product. Appearance of the
dence of full primer cure. Inorganic
tions, based on the ambient condi-
touched-up area may be a concern,
zincs, which are more significantly
tions. Primed surfaces of slip-critical
however, due to slight color and texture
affected by temperature and humidity,
bolted connections must be masked for
variations.
come with no clear parameters of com-
application of the intermediate coat,
To qualify for many stadium pro-
The advantage of using an organic
In one example illustrating the utili-
ty of this type of finish coat, the owner
mitigate unsightly touch-up irregulari-
coating materials used for prefinished
of a recently completed spring-training
ties, but will not eliminate the potential
metal wall and roof panels. Conditional
facility specifically requested a coating
spottiness. Still, this is the primary
extended warranties may be available in
system that could be touched up by his
material for finish coats used on struc-
cases where the applicators have been
own maintenance personnel with
tural steel in many sports facilities,
approved by the manufacturer.
paint purchased at the corner store.
thanks to long service life at a reason-
Controlled testing by the manufacturers
The choice of finish coat in this case
able cost.
demonstrates quite remarkable perfor-
was an acrylic coating over an organic
For System C, a polyamide epoxy is
mance, although the cost may be signif-
zinc primer.
used as the intermediate coat. (See
icantly higher than that of top-quality
• Acrylic aliphatic polyurethane (Systems
Interior Finish System F.)
polyurethane products.
B and C): This is a two-component high-
• Fluoropolymer (System D): This is a
build topcoat that provides excellent
proprietary topcoat product, with ver-
polyurethane intermediate coat. (See
color and gloss retention for exterior
sions available from a few manufactur-
Exterior Finish System B.)
applications. It provides a hard, chemical-
ers, and is generally applied over a com-
• Polysiloxane (System E): This is a pro-
and abrasion-resistant film and is avail-
plete System B. This system features an
prietary topcoat material, again with
able in either a high-gloss or semigloss
air-dry fluoropolymer coating that pro-
versions offered by a few manufacturers.
finish. Due to its hardness, however, spot
vides enhanced color and gloss reten-
The system, inorganic zinc plus topcoat,
touch-up is problematic, and entire sur-
tion, and is available in a full range of
is advertised as meeting many of the
faces may need to be repainted to achieve
sheens, from satin to high gloss. The
properties of zinc epoxy-aliphatic
uniform appearance.
system’s superior color and gloss reten-
polyurethane systems, while requiring
tion is comparable to the baked-on coil
only two coats. Conditional extended
The use of a semigloss finish helps to
This topcoat is applied over a
these surfaces should be coated with
the system providing the longest life—
the fluoropolymer or polysiloxane systems. Due to the fact that the roof and
lighting structures often tower more
than 150 feet into the air, the aesthetic
condition of the painted surfaces may
be less critical. An advantage here is
that both fluoropolymer and polysiloxane systems yield a surface that repels
dirt and other contaminants. Periodic
high-pressure water washing may be
Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans
required, but other maintenance would
be minimal.
For more accessible surfaces,
warranties may be available to applica-
component topcoat, this system is
tors that have been approved by the
unsuitable for exterior applications
polyurethane systems would be appro-
manufacturer.
due to poor color and gloss retention,
priate. For portions of the building
but is appropriate for use as an exteri-
frame that are exposed, surfaces above
polysiloxane system outperformed a
or intermediate coat and for interior
50 feet high will present the biggest
polyurethane in accelerated weather-
applications where UV exposure is not
challenge, but the vertical surfaces of
ing. An applied two-coat system with a
a factor. This coating can be water- or
the building may be accessed by stag-
polysiloxane topcoat is generally less
solvent-borne, and yields a hard,
ing slung from the roof.
expensive than an applied three-coat
chemical-resistant and abrasion-resis-
system consisting of zinc, epoxy and
tant film. It is available in a wide
lic, such as the concourses and entry
polyurethane. The polysiloxane also
range of gloss levels. Entire surfaces
areas, the acrylic system would be
resists stains, graffiti, and dirt accumu-
may need to be repainted, however, to
appropriate in that the stadium opera-
lation due to its hard, smooth surface.
achieve uniform appearance.
tor may prefer to repaint on a more
In tests conducted in Florida, the
For areas easily accessed by the pub-
This is an appropriate coating for
regular schedule for aesthetic reasons.
also is available that can be used to
locker rooms and toilet facilities, and
The acrylic system offers ease of appli-
repair physical damage or to change
can be applied over organic zinc-
cation and recoatability.
colors when recoating previously
primed steel, masonry, and gypsum
applied polysiloxanes.
board-type substrates. An epoxy top-
A single-component polysiloxane
Aesthetics and maintenance
Maintaining acrylic and polysilox-
coat of this type will deliver long life
Architecture is part art and part sci-
ane systems is significantly easier than
expectancy in these interior settings,
ence. The art establishes what the aes-
maintaining the other systems because
and recoating is required primarily for
thetics of a new facility will be. The
most maintenance personnel are able
aesthetic reasons or to repair physical
structural steel frame is often expressed
to prepare a damaged surface area and
damage. Rarely, if ever, will corrosion
in the completed project and must
apply a single-component product of
be an issue, barring physical damage
remain as an attractive element.
this type by brush or roller. The other
to the surfaces in a potentially wet
Unfortunately, designers can’t always
systems require a higher degree of
area.
control choice of color or sheen.
A sports stadium project completed
expertise involving mixing and application techniques, making it necessary
Playing the zones
in 1997 was designed with a final color
to enlist painting professionals to do
In dividing a new sports facility into
scheme of fire engine red for the roof
the work.
three zones, coatings selection can take
and light structures. After less than six
into account variations in service con-
years the owner was not happy with
Interior finish systems
ditions and future maintenance and
the pink-colored steel that had
For interior coatings, a polyamide
repair requirements.
emerged in place of the original red.
epoxy (System F) offers an excellent
performance profile. Commonly a two46
The roof and lighting structures will
be the least accessible, and therefore,
Needless to say, pink is not an acceptable color for professional sports teams.
The solution to this revolting develop-
Application Xs and Os
is not recommended due to time con-
ment was the application of a new coat
The recommended preparation of struc-
straints and the potential for human
of high-build polyurethane and an addi-
tural steel prior to finishing is equiva-
error and inconsistency.
tional enhanced UV-inhibitive
lent to SSPC-SP 6, Commercial Blast
polyurethane clearcoat.
Cleaning, which can be achieved with
able. This standard requires that the sur-
the use of centrifugal wheel-blasting
face be free of all mill scale and visible
equipment. Manual surface preparation
contaminants and that random staining
Another case where maintenance
decisions failed to score points was seen
Anything less than SP 6 is not accept-
in a project where the dark-green
polyurethane finish was touched up
with a dark-green alkyd coating. Of
course, the alkyd faded much more
quickly than the higher-performing
polyurethane.
In an example of the importance of
aesthetics over corrosion protection,
many owners opt to repaint large parts
of their facilities every year just to pro-
(;3(&7025(
)520<285)/225
vide a fresh, clean look as a new season
starts.
The fabrication factor
The quality of shop fabrication of structural steel has an impact on the overall
quality and performance of the coating
system. Edge conditions are best if
slightly chamfered to eliminate sharp
edges. Back-to-back coated surfaces
should be avoided.
Architecturally Exposed Structural
Steel (AESS), though not absolutely
required for public structures, constitutes an enhancement that should be
considered for areas of highest visibility
and importance to the image of the
facility. AESS properties and attributes
include the following:
3FMJBOU4UBEJVNt)PVTUPO5FYBT
• One-half the straightness tolerances
of standard camber and sweep;
• Minimized weld show-through;
• Copes, miters, and butt cuts with uniform gaps of 1/8 inch;
• Butt and plug welds that do not project more than 1/16 inch;
• Special care in unloading, handling,
and erecting of the steel; and
• Members that are plumbed, leveled,
and aligned to within one-half the erection tolerances permitted for standard
5VGG3F[ ¥)JHI1FSGPSNBODF'MPPSJOH4ZTUFNT
"FTUIFUJD1FSGPSNBODF7FSTBUJMJUZ
t 4FBNMFTTQPMZNFSJDTZTUFNTBWBJMBCMFJOBEJWFSTFTFMFDUJPOPG
MPOHXFBSJOHDPMPSTEFDPSBUJWFmOJTIFTBOETVSGBDFUFYUVSFT
t &BTZUPNBJOUBJOMPOHMBTUJOHBOEDPTUFGGFDUJWFBMUFSOBUJWFUPDBSQFU
WJOZMTUPOFBOEPUIFSDPOWFOUJPOBMnPPSTVSGBDFT
t 'MFYJCMFXBUFSQSPPmOHNFNCSBOFTBOEDSBDLSFQBJSQSPEVDUT
t &YDFMMFOUBCSBTJPODIFNJDBMJNQBDUSFTJTUBODF
t *EFBMGPSDPNNFSDJBMJOTUJUVUJPOBMJOEVTUSJBMBSFBT
-FBSONPSFBUXXXQPMZTQFDDPN
PSDBMM
GPSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPO
structural steel.
47
The Cleveland Browns Stadium
Table 1-Coating Systems
Exterior Structural Steel
System A – Three-Coat System with Acrylic Topcoats
1 coat organic zinc-rich primer at 2.5 to 3.0 mils dft.
2 coats high-performance industrial acrylic emulsion at 2.0 to 3.0 mils dft, each.
System B - Two-Coat System with Polyurethane Topcoat
1 coat high-build aliphatic acrylic polyurethane at 3.5 to 5.0 mils dft.
System C - Three-Coat System with Polyurethane Topcoat
1 coat high-build polyamide epoxy at 3.0 to 5.0 mils dft.
1 coat high-build aliphatic acrylic polyurethane at 3.5 to 5.0 mils dft.
System D – Three-Coat System with Fluoropolymer Topcoat
1 coat high-build polyurethane at 3.5 to 5.0 mils dft.
1 coat fluoropolymer at 1.5 mils dft.
System E – Two-Coat System with Polysiloxane Topcoat
1 coat inorganic zinc primer at 3.0 mils dft.
1 coat proprietary polysiloxane at 5.0 mils dft.
Interior Structural Steel
System F - Two-Coat System with Polyamide Epoxy Topcoat
1 coat high-build polyamide epoxy at 3.0 to 5.0 mils dft.
be limited to no more that 33 percent
considered for structural steel in sports
coat. Touch-up is generally needed for
of each 9 square inches of surface. With
facilities:
20 to 40 percent of the coated surface.
a primer thickness of 3 mils, the blast
• Method 1—Shop-applied primer and
profile should be approximately 1.5
topcoat; field-applied touch-up;
is that aesthetic considerations may
mils.
• Method 2—Shop-applied
require, to provide uniformity, a com-
primer/intermediate coat; field-applied
plete recoating of a surface from a clear
preparation to an SP 10, Near White
topcoat; and
edge. It is not out of the question to
Blast Cleaning, is generally not an
• Method 3—A combination of shop
encounter projects where virtually the
option due to cost constraints and a
and field application based on accessi-
entire steel structure was overcoated
doubtful payoff in terms of extended
bility and subsequent construction
before the owner took possession.
coating service life. This standard
activities.
Application of multiple coats in the
Increasing the quality of surface
requires that the surface be free of all
Application Method 1: With both
A downside to Application Method 1
shop also presents timing issues, where
mill scale and visible contaminants and
primer and topcoats applied in the
the fabricator, in an effort to facilitate
95 percent free of staining. The process
shop, requirements for field application
steel delivery, may not allow full cure
is the same as with SP 6, but the steel
will be limited to touch-up of damaged
before topcoating. Topcoat delamina-
member is rolled through the rotary
areas and application of topcoats on
tion is a possibility for shop-applied
shot-blast equipment at a slower rate.
bolts and surfaces of connections. A
multiple-coat systems.
Class B primer would be applied to all
Application Method 2: Applying
Application-method options
surfaces that are slip-critical and bear-
primer/intermediate coats in the shop
There are three basic methods of appli-
ing connections, which are then
and a complete topcoat in the field
cation of coating systems that may be
masked prior to application of the top-
should provide the best coating system
48
PRESERVE AND
PROTECT WITH
from an aesthetic standpoint. Touch-up
This hybrid approach may appear
of the primer/intermediate coat is pro-
somewhat simplistic, but a high level of
vided in the field after bolting is com-
coordination is required among the
pleted and after subsequent construc-
construction manager, fabricator, and
tion—i.e., mechanical, electrical, HVAC,
field painter. Contract packaging is also
hangers, and welding—is completed.
critical in the assignment of responsi-
The field-applied finish coat will pro-
bilities.
COLOR
AND
TEXTURE
vide complete and uniform coverage
over all the surfaces.
Regarding methods for applying a
Coating service life
and maintenance issues
finish coat, spray application is pre-
The projected life of an applied coating
ferred for appearance reasons.
system is determined by a number of
Overspray, however, can present a
factors, including quality of surface
major nuisance and can damage fin-
preparation; quality of coating materi-
ished surfaces throughout the stadium
als; application techniques; environ-
as well as adjacent surfaces outside of
mental conditions; regular, periodic
the stadium. Final painting is usually
inspection; and regular repair and
performed after all the seats are in
touch-up of damaged areas. Inspection
place, making overspray even more of a
requires a specific focus on critical areas
problem.
such as bolt heads, edges of members,
To avoid overspray problems, topcoats used in stadiums are usually
and surfaces of back-to-back members.
As a rule, coating service life is mea-
applied by roller or brush. The required
sured as the time elapsed until 100 per-
dry-film thickness is difficult to control
cent repainting is required, when theo-
in one coat, however, and the surface
retically rust may cover as much as 10
appearance may be less than accept-
percent of the surface area. But before
able. A compromise is necessary to bal-
rust is present and apparent, the sur-
ance the demands of appearance and
faces of coated steel begin to break
logistics.
down through erosion and exposure,
Permacoat coatings,
provided through Conspec,
Dayton Superior, and
Edoco brands are waterbased acrylic textured
coatings that provide a
protective weatherproof
and aesthetic finish for
concrete and masonry.
The high-build coating
disguises surface defects.
Application Method 3: A combina-
leaving additional surface areas subject
• VOC Compliant in all states
tion of application approaches will gen-
to chemical attack and the initiation of
• Excellent Adhesion
erally be the most successful in the
corrosion.
• Warrantable with our
Bond Breaker Products
overall construction sequence.
For a recent project in Pittsburgh,
Control of excessive corrosion on the
steel substrate is the primary purpose of
structural steel that would be consid-
projecting service life. Although aes-
ered inaccessible following erection was
thetics are important, particularly to an
finished following Method 1, with all
owner, aesthetics are generally not
coats applied in the shop. These areas
taken into consideration when estimat-
included lighting and roof structures
ing service life. Degradation of the sur-
and trusses supporting the upper decks.
face appearance does not clearly indi-
For all those areas where the structural
cate onset of corrosion.
steel was in the center of construction
• Ideal for Tilt-up and precast
• Smooth Texture can be
applied with airless
equipment
877-416.3439
www.daytonsuperior.com
Periodic inspections can identify
or required a higher degree of aesthet-
physical damage or underfilm corrosion
ics, Method 2 was followed. The primer
before a situation becomes serious. The
was completely applied in the shop,
regular repair of damaged areas will
construction continued after erection,
prolong the expected life of a coating
the field painters repaired the construc-
system. Waiting until active rusting is
tion and erection damage, and then
clearly visible results in the need for
applied the complete finish coat.
costly repair and repainting.
A Division of Dayton Superior
49
Polyaspartics
• Fast cure
• High film build (25 mils)
• Non yellowing
• Color and gloss retention
2K Waterborne Polyurethane Resins
• Corrosion protection
• Aliphatic topcoat
• Ultra-high solids
• High productivity
www.PolyasparticCoatings.com
• Odorless
• 4-hour cure time
• Abrasion resistant
• 0-250 g/l VOC
• UV light stable
• High gloss
• Ultra-high solids
• Weatherability
www.WaterbornePolyurethanes.com
Call your coatings supplier for more information on polyaspartic and
waterborne polyurethane coatings.
Bayer MaterialScience LLC
100 Bayer Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741 • Phone: 1.800.662.2927
© 2004, Bayer MaterialScience LLC
ALWAYS
HIDE YOUR
CRACKS
BEFORE
AFTER
PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres
Recommended touch-up methods
does not necessarily require removal of
include surface preparation and proper
all existing paint materials. Intact, tight-
application of the matching topcoat.
ly adhered existing paint should not be
Excessive film build at these stages of
removed unless a survey determines
maintenance should be avoided, since it
that the coating is brittle or excessively
will cause problems in subsequent
thick. The new paint system should be
repair procedures or repainting.
fully compatible with the existing surface to prevent intercoat adhesion prob-
Total repaint game plans
lems.
Permalastic coatings,
provided through Conspec,
Dayton Superior, and
Edoco brands are a highbuild coating system that
provides long-lasting
weatherproof color with
elastomeric properties that
keeps dynamic cracks
hidden on concrete,
stucco, and masonry walls.
• Water-based VOC
Compliant
• Smooth Texture can be
applied with airless
equipment
• Available in several
textures
• Warrantable and
compatible with our
restoration systems
At the end of the effective service life of
A likely repaint approach includes
a coating system, a complete repainting
spot touch-up with primer and applica-
877-416.3439
of a facility will be required. The extent
tion of a full topcoat. The spot touch-up
www.daytonsuperior.com
of work involved will be minimized if
of the existing surface will address the
periodic inspection and proper repair
effects of physical damage and corro-
procedures have been faithfully carried
sion. The full topcoat will restore the
out.
appearance and corrosion protection of
The first step in developing a scheme
the entire system. This is also a pre-
for repainting is a complete survey of
ferred approach in areas of limited
the facility to determine actual condi-
access.
tions of each element.
It must be understood that repainting
Cleaning of surfaces can be accom-
plished with an alkaline cleanser and
51
PLIOTEC LATICES: FOR DURABLE CONCRETE FLOOR
COATINGS, SEALERS AND STAINS WITH UV,
CHEMICAL AND TIRE PICK-UP RESISTANCE
Pliotec latices are produced using a unique technology that ensures a waterborne paint formulation with high performance. Chemical and water resistance, hardness
and abrasion resistance, and strong adhesion are among the key strengths of the Pliotec
technology. Pliotec resins have been very successful for many years in the floor coating
market in the U.S.
THE PLIOTEC® LOGO
IS THE SIGNATURE OF PAINTS
MEETING HIGH QUALITY AND
PERFORMANCE TESTS.
Floor coating paints, particularly for driveways and garage floors, are
over exposed to traffic, water, UV rays, oil, hot tire pick-up, and gasoline. Concrete stains
and sealers need to protect from UV rays, alkali & acid, and water while at the same time
provide excellent adhesion. Coatings formulated with durable Pliotec can withstand the
assaults of these tough environments.
Let’s share the future. Eliokem is a global company with manufacturing,
sales & marketing, research & development all across the world. New product and
application developments are primary focuses of Eliokem. Our expertise and commitment to
product innovation make Eliokem the best partner for all its customers.
Contact: Valerie Johnson
[email protected]
Phone: + 1 330-734-1223
Fax: + 1 330-734-1151
HIGH-END
LOOKS WITH
LOW-END COST
Beaver Stadium Expansion, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions
high-pressure potable water washing,
although, of course, this presents a less-
The end zone- Being part
of the team scores points
difficult chore in an outdoor stadium
In summary, selection of coatings sys-
than in a fully enclosed space. The
tems for structural steel in sports and
potable water washing helps to remove
other public facilities should be based
peeling or otherwise damaged coatings.
on a variety of considerations.
Waste from potable water washing of
Combining aesthetic with corrosion
newer structures should not be haz-
protection and durability criteria nar-
ardous and can either be collected sepa-
rows the choices for designers and
rately or allowed to flow into the facili-
specifiers to a number of specialty
ty’s wastewater system.
high-performance systems offered by
The likelihood of encountering haz-
coatings manufacturers. These suppliers can deliver both generic and
ing cannot easily be determined ahead
unique products that can be incorpo-
of time. The coatings that are described
rated into the overall coatings matrix
here utilize current technology with
for the facility.
tent. Minimal lead content may be
and exposure conditions, the designer
required for color purposes, but content
and specifier must be concerned with
will be less than or equal to current
coatings system selection, application
governmental regulations. The direc-
methods and color selection. To be
tion of future statutes or EPA regula-
most successful, the designer should
tions is difficult to predict, but it would
become a part of the decision-making
appear that no special abatement
process to the greatest extent possible.
process should be required for future
ings discussed here are employed.
• Dozens of Color
combinations
• Provides deep,
permanent color
877-416.3439
After determining environmental
repainting of facilities where the coat-
• Can be used on new
or existing concrete
• Horizontal or vertical
surfaces
ardous materials during future repaint-
either lead-free or minimal lead con-
Low-cost concrete floors
have always been natural
gray. Using our Pro Patina
penetrating reactive
stains, you can produce
the natural shadings and
color effects of stone
and masonry at a fraction
of the cost.
www.SuperiorColors.com
JAC
53
any
[ratio. pressure. time.]
Give us your toughest coatings and we’ll give you the best equipment to apply it!
Our equipment is designed to handle the tough stuff - polyurea, polyurethane, spray foam, elastomerics, epoxies and
100% solids. We can move it, pump it and apply it all! At any ratio from 1:1 to 1:10, at any pressure up to 7250 psi, and
at any cure time from as low as 2 seconds! Equipment solutions designed to get the job done right!
For more information on Graco | Gusmer plural-component equipment, visit us at
www.graco.com/coatingsandfoam or call us at 1.877.844.7226.
©2005 Graco Inc. 336813D 2/05
ProjectProfile
Mega-makeover delivers…
More than a pretty facade
Promise of long-term
exterior durability
motivates choice of
By Joe Maty, JAC Editor
N
obody said it would be
easy, and it sure wasn’t.
For that matter, nobody
said it would be cheap.
But
then,
fluoropolymer finish
for trio of aging office
buildings near DC
anyone
Photos courtesy of PPG Industries, Inc.
who ever gave a passing thought to the notion
that quality comes easy or cheap probably never rehabbed
Pegues said that at first glance, the turgid brown of the
or repainted the exterior of a large office building with the
Skyline trio gave the impression that an original black color
expectation that the job would hold up for a good long
had chalked and dulled. The custom-tinted “Beaver Creek”
stretch of years.
shade chosen for the repainting—in the beige or tan color
The Washington, DC-based Charles E. Smith Co. certainly rejected any idea of doing the job on the cheap when it
family—has made the buildings less of a misfit alongside
their newer, brighter-hued neighbors.
came time to rejuvenate the aluminum-clad exteriors of the
“They wanted something that tended to blend with other
company’s three “Skyline” office buildings at Bailey’s
colors,” Pegues said of Charles E. Smith representatives.
Crossroads, near Arlington, VA.
“They wanted them to blend in, be a little more contempo-
In sizing up the project, the Smith company’s objective
rary” rather than “standing on end like dominoes.”
was to keep the 1970s-vintage buildings relevant in an
Coatings supplier PPG Industries Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, and
increasingly upscale suburban environment. The company
architect Pegues agreed on a coating combination headlined
realized it would require a hefty investment, said architect
by a fluoropolymer resin-based topcoat—a top-of-the-line
William Pegues, FCIC, of the Washington architectural firm
architectural-coating material that commands a steep price
Weihe Design Group (WDG), who served as project archi-
but comes with a promise of unparalleled long-term durabil-
tect for the Skyline repaint jobs.
ity, gloss, and color retention.
“Here were three big obelisks of dark chocolate brown, very
Roger Mabe, PPG national sales and marketing manager,
dated in the quality of the coating,” Pegues said in recalling
Building Restoration Products, said the company’s sales
the situation faced by the architects and the property owner.
pitch in cases such as Skyline emphasizes the long-term ben-
55
each of the three structures, which
combined consisted of 450,000
square feet of surface to be coated.
The fluoropolymer coating, since
changed
to
the
brand
name
“Coraflon,” sold for around $275
per gallon at the time of the project.
The repainting of Skyline One was
done in 2001, with Skyline Two and
Three completed in late 2002.
A daunting prep
and painting task
The restoration of the exteriors of
the three buildings, each 15 stories
high, began with the oldest of the
structures, “Skyline One.” The original coating, a shop-applied fluoropolymer-based material of the
Kynar-resin variety, had predictably
lost its pizzazz after more than 20
years of exposure, and the aluminum cladding had been repainted
every few years during the 1990s
with a conventional alkyd resinbased enamel.
Clearly, a longer-term solution
was needed to give the building—
and eventually its younger siblings—an
appearance
mirroring
changing architectural currents and
the area’s subsequent commercial
development.
Project
planning
started in 2000 with the writing of
the specifications for Skyline One,
and preparation and application
work spanned a five-month period
in 2001.
Considerable discussion went into
The Skyline office buildings at Bailey’s Crossroads in northern Virginia. Recoating of
Building One, in foreground, is completed, with work under way on Buildings Two and Three.
the development of a warranty
agreement, a crucial part of the pro-
efit when the talk gets around to price. “These kinds of pro-
ject for both property owner and coating supplier. In the
jects aren’t for the faint of heart,” Mabe said in a frank
negotiations, PPG agreed to issue a 10-year “material only”
assessment of the cost issue.
warranty covering adhesion, color retention and chalk resis-
Mabe pegged the project cost for each of the buildings in
tance, and provided the building owner with a list of con-
the “seven-figures” range, with labor accounting for perhaps
tractors that PPG believed possessed the capability to suc-
80% of the total—a typical breakdown for professional coat-
cessfully do the job.
ing work. He estimated that approximately 300 gallons of
Universal Building Service, Germantown, MD, won the
PPG’s “Megaflon” fluoropolymer topcoat was applied to
contract for Skyline One. John B. Conomos, Bridgeville, PA,
56
secured the contracts for buildings Two and Three.
technology, with the newer version offering a reformulated
Preparation work for Skyline One started with “a hand-
solvent mix to provide lower volatile organic compound
wipe,” or stripping, with the solvent acetone to remove the
(VOC) content. The coatings comply with an EPA rule that
layers of repaint down to the original fluoropolymer coat-
governs VOCs in architectural and industrial maintenance
ing or, in some places, down to bare aluminum. Use of
coatings in most of the country, he said.
mechanized sanding was scratched due to noise generation
PPG is at work on further reformulation that will result in
that would aggravate tenants. The stripping included the
VOC levels that will meet new, tougher restrictions in
aluminum curtain-wall panels and the horizontal and verti-
California and several Mid-Atlantic and northeastern states,
cal window extrusions.
Mabe said.
The original fluoropolymer finish was in generally good
PPG has produced fluoropolymer-resin-based coatings for
shape, and the sanding yielded a roughening of the surface
more than 40 years, but obtained the technology for air-dry
to provide “teeth” to facilitate adhesion of new coatings.
systems with the acquisition of Keeler & Long in 1997, open-
The initial stripping and sanding was followed by another
ing the door to field-application possibilities and restoration
hand solvent wipe.
jobs such as Skyline.
Where the stripping and sanding exposed bare metal, a
The fluoropolymer resin technology employed by PPG
conventional acid-based wash primer was applied by brush
was pioneered by Asahi Glass of Japan in the early 1980s,
and roller. All the surfaces were then painted with a recoat-
and coatings based on the technology have compiled an
able epoxy primer, followed by the air-dry fluoropolymer
impressive track record of 20-years-plus service life in
topcoat. The application method on Skyline One was air-
demanding settings such as bridge railings, PPG says.
assisted electrostatic spray. Airless spray was used on Skyline
Two and Three.
A notable advance with new fluoropolymers, Mabe said, is
the clarity of the resin and the resulting color strength and
The restoration project also required removal of old window
gloss capability of the coating. These attributes, combined
caulking in stages to prevent water leakage while the work was
with the well-documented UV resistance of fluoropolymers,
in progress. For this, a portion of the old caulking was
deliver a field-applied finish quality on a par with the instal-
removed, the painting was done, and then new caulking was
lation of all-new cladding carrying a shop-applied coating,
applied. Painting over caulk would inevitably lead to coating
Mabe asserts.
failure due to the expansion and contraction of the caulk.
“That’s the real beauty of this. You’re going to restore the
The caulk supplier—in this case Dow Corning—was sent
original fluoropolymer durability with a field-applied coat-
a sample of the coating to match the topcoat shade. “If you
ing versus pulling the skin off the building and putting a
go to these buildings and look at them, you can’t tell where
new one up there. That’s probably 10 times more expensive
the caulk joints start and where the paint starts, unless you
than doing the field application.”
get right up on it,” Mabe said.
These advanced coatings systems are recommended for
Masking of windows also presented a challenge during
high-end architectural applications where UV resistance,
the project, as plastic sheeting employed on Skyline One
color and gloss retention over the long haul are a priority.
caused breakage of nearly 50 windows due to thermal
Use is not advised in highly corrosive or other extreme envi-
expansion and contraction, the result of daytime-to-night-
ronments, where heavy-duty industrial maintenance coat-
time temperature swings. A strippable coating of the type
ings are specified.
used in spray-paint booths for shop-applied coating was
“For the uses we’re recommending—primarily architectur-
used as masking on Buildings Two and Three, and the glass-
al metal—you’re not going to find a coating that is more aes-
breakage issue was largely neutralized.
thetically pleasing for a greater number of years,” Mabe said.
The preparation and application processes for Skyline
Skyline architect Pegues said the air-dry fluoropolymer
Two and Three were generally identical to the Skyline One
technology answered the Skyline project’s need for an
project, with the notable exception that the initial solvent-
updated look that will last. “This was a great coating and a
stripping step was not required due to the relatively good
10 year warranty,” he said. “I thought we got great results.”
shape of the existing coating surface.
Pegues and others involved in the project agree that while
the Skyline trio may not warrant the title of Glitzville, it cer-
Fluropolymer technology: Color for the long haul
Mabe said Skyline marked PPG’s first exterior-restoration
project using the Megaflon/Coraflon fluoropolymer coating
tainly can no longer be derided as Dullsville.
JAC
57
WATERPROOFING / AIR BARRIER FOR EXTERIOR WALL SYSTEMS
Mold is a growing problem.
You can see where it starts before
your wall system is finished.
®
Avoid costly call-backs. Where sheet wraps leak, Sto Guard is seamless.
Liquid-applied Sto Guard is the superior waterproofing / air barrier for exterior walls.
®
®
Sto Guard :
- Reduces the risk of condensation and mold caused
by a leaking wall system
- Provides a seamless and ”structural“ air barrier
when applied over sheathing
- Provides breathability for proper vapor diffusion
and condensation control
Take the “I Know Sto” Challenge.
Call us with specs on your next project at 888-552-4111. We’ll help you
with the bid process and prove how cost effective Sto Guard® can be.
We’ll also send you a FREE “I Know Sto” t-shirt.
Locate the distributor nearest you at www.stocorp.com/stoguardgc.
ProjectProfile- Air Barriers
Great expectations
Air-barrier system
crafted to measure
up to expansive
vision for major
new research
center at MIT
T
By Kevin Knight
he new 400,000 square-foot Brain and Cognitive
Sciences Project (BCSP) at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA,
brings together three distinct research entities to create a world-class center for brain research.
Intended to house a wide array of both wet and
dry laboratories for research and teaching, supporting biology, biochemistry, neurobiology, and
behavioral and cognitive research, the center is designed
around a multi-story daylit atrium defined by tea rooms, faculty
offices, and open seating areas to foster interaction among the
scientists.
As part of MIT’s commitment to sustainable design, the BCSP
incorporates a wide array of strategies for reducing energy use
and preserving resources. Such features as high-performance
building envelope systems, wastewater recovery and reuse, heat
recovery from exhaust fans, and daylight-balanced lighting contribute to an integrated, sustainable design.
This article examines the specification and application of a liquid-applied air-barrier system, a key component of the buildingenvelope design for the new research center.
Early contruction as viewed from Main Street
Photo courtesy of Goody Clancy
A design tailored for tight urban site
The building’s design addresses a major aspect of the tight
urban site with a bold architectural stroke. A live rail and transit
corridor bisects the site longitudinally; the building bridges this
right-of-way to create a single unified complex and to establish
MIT’s presence with its first major building on Main Street.
At the campus-design level, the building extends MIT’s linked
system of pedestrian paths and points toward future growth to
the north. Clad exclusively in limestone and an elegantly
detailed glass curtain wall, the complex presents a strong,
sweeping façade that features materials that are subtly varied
among the three principal street elevations. Each of the research
entities is expressed differently on the exterior with its own special feature, such as a reading room or conservatory.
The laboratory floors will provide unparalleled flexibility to
support evolving research needs and to accommodate changing
boundaries among the various research groups—the McGovern
Institute for Brain Research, the Picower Institute for Learning and
Memory, and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.
The circulation system incorporates a dedicated set of elevators and secure corridors that will separate animal (and animal
59
Application of liquid Perm-A-Barrier at window detail
Photo courtesy of KTA-Tator, Inc.
researcher) movement from the general public. Special technical
considerations include mitigation systems to deal with low-frequency vibration that would otherwise disrupt sensitive imaging
and research equipment.
“In forging a truly collaborative creative relationship, the
team has realized MIT’s goals for the BCSP,” said Roger
Goldstein, FAIA, of the architectural firm Goody Clancy and
principal in charge of the project. “Early on we identified several key issues in the master-planning stage that were critical in
informing the design process. As a result, the BCSC’s design
boldly frames an important entrance to this part of the campus,
integrates the active rail line that passes through the building,
and effectively defines the surrounding street edges.
“It is a state-of-the-art research facility that will bring scientists
together for interaction and exchange.”
Liquid-applied system gets nod as barrier choice
An air barrier is a material or a combination of materials that
acts as a unified system to conBuilding with stone installed
trol the movement of air through
the building envelope or
between dissimilar environments
within the building.
The lack of a functional airbarrier system can result in various forms of premature damage to building-envelope components, particularly when these
components are under constant
exposure to certain interior conditions such as high pressure or
temperature differentials between the interior and exterior
and/or high interior humidity.
Air-barrier functionality and
60
Testing for air leakage of the air-barrier membrane
performance is also significant in buildings in which the intended function requires strict control of these interior conditions.
Given the high-performance requirements of the BCSP’s building-envelope system, it was necessary to incorporate an effective air-barrier system into the design, and as such, it was imperative that the requirements of airtightness, continuity, structural
integrity, and durability, as specified in the Massachusetts energy
code, were met.
The air barrier also is required
to function in conjunction with
other building-envelope components such as the roofing system,
curtain walls, windows, and connective materials, which together
combine to provide a continuous
air-barrier envelope over the
entire structure.
With numerous air-barrier
materials on the market such as
bitumen sheet membranes, liquid
membranes, urethane foams,
and rigid boards, one of the first
decisions to be made concerned what
“family” of material would be selected.
Spray-applied liquid membrane was eventually chosen as the air-barrier material for
this project, as these membranes provide a
structurally sound, durable, and airtight
barrier when installed in accordance with
specification requirements.
Additionally, with the variety of substrates used on the project, including steel,
poured-in-place concrete, and concrete
block, and the “irregular” surfaces over
which the membrane would have to be
applied, it was thought that it would be
easier to install the spray-applied membrane than a sheet membrane.
W. R. Grace Perm-A-Barrier® Liquid, a
two-part fluid-applied self-curing synthetic
rubber-based membrane, was selected as
the air-barrier material. The two parts are
mixed together on-site prior to use and
cold-applied to the substrate. The barrier
material cures within 24 to 48 hours to
form a monolithic, flexible rubber membrane that can be sprayed at temperatures
as low as 20 F.
Mark DerMugrditchian of Grace
Construction Products, discussing the company’s collaboration with the architect on
the air-barrier system, said a great deal of
attention was paid to application details.
Air barriers being produced currently are
designed to work in a specific fashion, and
application technicians may not be fully
trained to understand all of the functional
aspects of the barrier system. Thus, clarity
of installation guidelines is crucial.
Pre-job meetings were conducted to set
the installation expectations for the air
barrier. “We worked with the general contractor and sub-contractor,” DerMugrditchian said. “What was learned was that
even with the attention to details, new
issues developed that could now be discussed ahead of time and before installation began, like how plumb the wall needs
to be, the different building components
and how these different components work
together, and how the transition tape
needs to work to keep the air barrier-system continuous.”
Quality assurance
puts project to the test
A comprehensive inspection and testing
quality-assurance protocol, comprised of
visual observation during installation supported by a variety of in-process and postinstallation tests, was employed to ensure
that the installation would result in a longlasting air barrier. Ambient application
conditions, material thickness, tensile
strength of adhesion between membrane
61
and substrate, and airtightness were verified during the application of the liquid
membrane.
Determining ambient conditions was
important in order to verify that the material was applied within specific temperature and humidity conditions as per speci-
fication requirements and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Thickness readings were taken to confirm that a sufficient coating of membrane
had been applied to the substrate during
the spray installation. As Perm-A-Barrier
generally shows no shrinkage during the
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curing process, the resultant dry film thickness was approximated by measuring the
wet-film thickness.
Tensile strength of adhesion between the
membrane and substrate was tested in
general accordance with ASTM D 4541,
“Standard Test Method for Pull-Off
Strength of Coatings Using Portable
Adhesion Testers.” The membrane generally was required to withstand a minimum
tensile load of 16 pounds per square inch,
applied perpendicular to the test area, to
“pass”—a measure that the Perm-ABarrier easily exceeded.
The overall airtightness of the opaque
wall system was verified using a combination of visual examination and qualitative
and quantitative testing practices. ASTM E
1186, “Standard Practices for Air Leakage
Site Detection in Building Envelopes and
Air Retarder Systems,” and ASTM E 783,
“Standard Test Method for Field
Measurement of Air Leakage Through
Installed Exterior Windows and Doors”
test methods were used to test both the airtightness of individual details and the system as a whole.
The MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Project project represents a prime example
of a liquid-applied air barrier being used
as a high-performance component within
a building envelope. The building is
designed not only as a world-class
research center, but also as a monument
and landmark for Cambridge.
In the rapidly growing air-barrier marketplace, liquid-applied systems have proven to
be a primary choice among designers and
contractors involved in crafting buildingenvelope systems for major structures such
as the MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Project. These liquid-applied systems offer
structural soundness, durability, and airtightness, and can be applied to varied and
irregular building substrates.
Editor’s Note: This article was prepared with
assistance from KTA-Tator, Inc., Goody
Clancy, and the W.R. Grace Co.
JAC
Durability
UV resistance-
Just the tip of the iceberg for testing of coatings durability
W
Frenel solar concentrators, pictured here, are the most commonly
used outdoor testing devices.
Photos courtesy of Atlas Materials Testing Technologies L.L.C.
hen it comes to outdoor durability of
definition, a coating—as opposed to a “paint”—
an architectural coating, most peoPassing the test functions to protect the substrate. The substrate may
ple immediately lock in on UV (ultrabe steel, aluminum, composites, concrete, brick or
–Allen Zielnik
violet) resistance as the single most
stone masonry, wood, or any other material. To persignificant indicator of long-term performance. This
form this function, the coating must remain adhered to the substrate,
view is justified, as UV stability is indeed an imporact as a barrier to agents that can affect the substrate, and itself
tant component of the durability of coatings.
remain undamaged for the intended service life—quite a lot to ask!
That said, it would be a mistake to ignore numerSometimes the term “protective coating” is used to emphasize the
ous other factors that can also influence the durability and perforprotective nature of specialized coatings systems such as antifouling
mance of coatings. Predicting the durability of coatings cannot be
marine or industrial tank coatings. In the world of architectural coataccurately done without a thorough analysis of all other factors,
ings, we almost always face an additional burden, an aesthetic one.
and, as you will see, accomplishing this is no small task.
In other words, the coating not only has to protect the substrate and
Accordingly, this article will review the many different consideraitself remain intact, but it must also continue to look good doing so.
tions that must be taken into account when forecasting how coatings
The physical functionality of a coating is primarily provided by
will respond to UV influences over the course of time. In particular,
the chemistry of the binder system. This binder, or “vehicle,” is what
the following will be covered:
eventually becomes the dry coating film. The binder consists pri• The purpose of coatings and how they function on structures;
marily of resins, solvents, and functional additives such as crosslink• Factors that affect the durability of architectural coatings;
ing agents, among many others. The binder system can determine
• Industry standards that govern how various durability tests should
some appearance properties, such as the gloss level, but mostly
be conducted;
contributes adhesion to the substrate and film formation to bind the
• Overview of the three primary types of UV weathering tests;
pigments and other functional additives such as mildewcides, UV
• Three considerations involving accelerated tests;
absorbers, etc.
• Guidelines to evaluate weathering statements and specifications
Many binder chemistries are used in architectural coatings:
for coatings; and
Acrylics, polyesters, phenolics, alkyds, urethanes, epoxies, and flu• Tips on where to start.
oropolymers, to name just a few. Each of these chemistries possesses inherent strengths and weaknesses in terms of durability, and
The purpose of coatings and how
these properties are extensively documented in technical literature
they function on various substrates
devoted to coatings formulation, if one is interested.
When we speak of the durability of coatings, two important aspects
While some general rankings can be put forth on the relative
generally come to mind, though they are not necessarily related. By
durability of various coatings types, exceptions—often obtained
63
In this xenon-arc accelerated weathering test device, the entire sample rack rotates around the
xenon lamp to maintain proper irradiance, temperature, and humidity levels.
through performance-enhancing additives—can make such rankings misleading for specifying architectural coatings. In addition,
performance differences can occur, based on the substrate and
whether the coating is shop or field applied. And many newer technologies such as powder coatings, UV/radcure, etc., don’t rely on
traditional binder chemistries.
Factors that affect the durability
of architectural coatings
When it comes to evaluating the durability of architectural coatings,
a number of factors have to be examined: how and where the coating is to be applied and where the product will be used in service;
the variability of the substrate; the weather and climate factors that
can affect the binder; the stability of the colorant system, and so on.
The definition of what constitutes acceptability and failure in a
coating is not a hard and fast test and specification issue, but rather
a murky and complicated landscape.
So how, then, are architectural coatings tested for weathering
and durability? Well, that depends. At first thought, you might say
that if you want an coating that will last at least 10 years without
maintenance, you’d simply paint a test piece and put it outside for
10 years to see what happens. And, at least to a point, you’d be
right, but perhaps fall a bit behind on your project! And certainly
the coatings manufacturers have already done that for you, right?
Well, in many cases you’d be correct—or at least partially so.
A review of key industry standards
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association some time
ago issued a set of performance standards for “good” (AAMA
603) and “better” high-performance (AAMA 605) architectural
coatings applied to aluminum panels and extrusions. These standards have been superceded by the following three new voluntary
standards.
• AAMA 2603, intended primarily for interior light-commercial
and residential-grade coatings. This standard provides specifications for color acceptance; gloss; impact, chemical and corrosion
resistance; and other performance measures. A one-year South
Florida outdoor weathering test to verify the degree of checking,
crazing, adhesion loss, chalking, and fading is optional, and specimens should show no adhesion loss and only slight chalking or fading. Coatings typically conforming to AAMA 2603 include those
based on acrylic latex, high-solids polyesters and baked enamels.
• AAMA 2604, designed primarily for high-performance commercial- and architectural-grade applications. This standard
includes additional test methods and acceptance criteria for abrasion and weathering resistance. Weathering tests evaluate color
(<5 _E max), gloss retention (≥ 30%), chalking (ASTM D4214, rating 8), and film erosion (<10% film loss) after five years of south
Florida outdoor weathering. For those not familiar with E color terminology, it constitutes combined fade and color-shift measurement.
Most people cannot detect a color change less than a ?E of 3, so a
5 is barely perceptible. Examples of coatings meeting AAMA 2604
include high-performance silicone polyester enamels and systems
containing 50% fluoropolymer, such as polyvinylidene flouride
(PVDF).
• AAMA 2605, which recognizes a new class of “superior” architectural coatings. Performance requirements after 10 years of outdoor South Florida weathering are similar to those in AAMA 2604,
but AAMA 2605 also requires better gloss retention (≥ 50%).
Currently, coatings based on fluoropolymers are the primary materials performing at this level. Coatings meeting AAMA 2605
requirements are almost always applied in two or three coats (for
example, primer, finish coat, and a clear protective topcoat) based
on 70% fluoropolymer resin such as PVDF or FEVE.
In addition to these three, AAMA has issued performance specifications for coil-coated aluminum and coatings on plastics. But
what if the substrate isn’t aluminum? And what if the project isn’t
located in southern Florida? This is where UV resistance and
weatherability testing and specification become more challenging.
Generalities are always dangerous because of the exceptions,
but sometimes we need to make them. Weathering-related failures
of coatings occur principally due to the failure of the bulk of the
binder resulting from exposure to light (particularly the ultraviolet
component), moisture and temperature effects, or some synergistic
combination of these factors. Pollution, acid rain, ozone, bird droppings, mildew, salt spray, and other factors can also loom large, but
heat, light, and moisture are usually the most significant.
Appearance changes such as color fade, gloss loss, chalking,
65
“accelerated” exposure techniques were developed. These primarietc., result from degradation of the pigment colorant or discolly involved “follow the sun” tracking racks to maximize the solar
oration or erosion of the binder surface. Pigments, especially those
energy deposited each day. The culmination of accelerated outdoor
based on organic compounds, can be highly UV- and even visible
testing resulted in special solar tracking and Fresnel mirror-concenlight-sensitive and this can result in fade or hue shift. The binder surtrator systems used in the dry Arizona desert. The most sophisticatface can degrade from the effects of UV and moisture, even if most
ed of these systems incorporate water sprays to simulate Miami
of the binder remains intact.
moisture and controlled daytime and nighttime temperatures to minWhat this means is that we may see different changes to a coatimize seasonal temperature variations in exposure. These devices
ing exposed to different environments. For example, a coating
can generate peak summertime acceleration factors as high as six
may show severe color fade in the high-UV desert Southwest but
to eight times in real-time terms compared to test-fence exposures
show chalking in the moist Southeast. Therefore, most coatings are
and can greatly reduce testing times.
tested in at least three climates, such as south Florida, Arizona,
One reality of outdoor testing is that while climate changes occur
and northern industrial sites, such as the conditions in Ohio.
on
a very long time scale, weather can vary considerably from one
Coatings destined for the global market may require additional
year to another. For example, South Florida experienced a very
exposure testing in other aggressive environments, and as a result
cloudy and wet 2005 hurricane season.
coatings companies operate large exposure
While annual variations in weather tend to be
“farms” or utilize commercial exposure sites.
minimized in long (10-year or more) expoSo does the 10-year AAMA 2605 specifisures, shorter durations can be highly varication assure that coating color change (_E <
able, making comparisons between tests con5) will be no worse in Phoenix or Singapore
ducted in different years a problem.
than in south Florida? No, not at all. But it
To provide greater control over the main
does provide a common method for estabfactors of material weathering (heat, light,
lishing a minimum coating performance and
and moisture), various laboratory accelerata basis for comparison.
ed “artificial weathering” instruments have
Numerous test-method and performancebeen developed. These were originally based
setting organizations that evaluate the duraon the intense UV output of electrically burnbility of architectural coatings exist in the
ing carbon-arc lamps and were first pioU.S. and Canada, with a dizzying array of
neered in 1915 (Fade-Ometer®, Weathersuch organizations found internationally.
Ometer®, Xenotest, and SUNTEST are some
Most test methods (protocols) prescribe how
trade names). Subsequent improvements in
to perform a weathering test in terms of the
The exposure area in this UV test chamber has a slope of
the spectral match to sunlight were made, first
mechanics, but stop short of providing per5 degrees to accurately simulate outdoor weathering
in the 1940s with the open-flame “Sunshine”
formance requirements such as the AAMA
and rainwater runoff.
carbon-arc devices, then again in the 1950s
specs. Many material specifications (such as
with full-spectrum xenon-lamp and filter technology.
those in ASTM and ISO, for example) are specific to the chemistry
Alternative technologies came out in the 1970s, based on inexof the coatings and thus make it difficult to compare products with
pensive fluorescent lamps (QUV, UVCON, UV2000) and again in
different requirements. And many specifications use questionable
the 1980s with specialized metal halide lamps (SolarClimatic).
test methods or leave the exposure type and duration to the discre[Note: QUV is a trade name of Q-Panel Lab Products].
tion of the manufacturer to report.
Three primary types of UV weathering tests
Three considerations for accelerated tests
Three major types of UV/weathering tests exist, along with several
variations. The most common type is the natural, outdoor “direct
weathering” test in which test panels are placed on exposure racks
in a “standard reference” location such as subtropical south
Florida. One basic tenet is that a 10-year-exposure test takes, well,
10 years. That means the coatings that today meet the AAMA
2605 requirement are technologically 15-20 years old and newer
materials may actually perform better.
To decrease the testing time in outdoor exposures, a number of
Each of these accelerated techniques possesses unique characteristics that must be viewed in relation to specific material chemistries to
allow an understanding of the acceleration and correlation issues,
and therefore to successfully predict service life performance based
on a relatively short test. Such a discussion is far too involved to be
undertaken here, but a few explanatory and cautionary notes are
appropriate.
The first point to make is that all accelerated-weather testing
changes the natural balance of the factors (heat, light, and moisture)
66
and excludes others (pollutants, mildew, ozone, etc.). Therefore, all
accelerated testing has the potential to inaccurately reproduce real
weathering performance.
It is tempting to assume that accelerated weathering test methods
would simply hasten the naturally occurring outdoor degradation.
The reality is that the test condition is only half of the equation, the
other half being the unique material response to those stress factors.
It’s like suffering from a peanut allergy—if you don’t have it, you
can enjoy PB&J sandwiches. If you are allergic, you end up in anaphylactic shock. But the peanut butter is still the same.
The same is true of test methods and individual material sensitivity, and these can’t always be predicted in advance. Therefore it
takes skilled researchers to understand the results of accelerated
testing and predict future durability performance.
The second point to make here is that skepticism should be exercized when viewing simplistic statements such as “passed 1,000
hours in QUV” or “2,000 hours G26 testing is equivalent to 5 years
Florida testing.” Out-of-context or erroneous statements are often
found in marketing literature. Comparative data, including the
accelerated type, that show coating performance over time against
known benchmark products is far more revealing. One reason for
this is that coating degradation is usually not linear with time or
exposure, and single-point “snapshots” often say little about actual
material performance over time.
The third point: results from different accelerated techniques or
test methods, or exposure sites or times, usually cannot be directly
compared. Current coatings research and development, however,
simply couldn’t exist without accelerated testing to screen formulations and provide interim weathering data. Top coatings companies
usually employ multiple exposure techniques combining outdoor
natural and accelerated exposures, along with artificial accelerated
laboratory weathering, to gain greater confidence in coating service-life projections.
Guidelines to evaluate statements and
specifications on the weathering of coatings
So how do you evaluate coatings-weathering statements and develop specifications? Here are some guidelines.
• The most reliable coatings data will be based on real-time outdoor weathering on the same substrate in a climate similar to or
more severe than the end-use location. Realize that this data takes
time to develop, and reliance on real-time weathering may preclude
the use of more modern, advanced coatings. Test results should state
the exposure conditions and, preferably, the ultraviolet radiant
energy or starting and ending dates, as there can be considerable
seasonal differences, especially on short (< 2 year) exposures.
• The next most reliable data is that from outdoor accelerated tests,
especially from the latest generation of controlled-temperature
Fresnel solar-concentrator devices. The test cycle used should be
appropriate for the end use, such as a “Miami” cycle with high
moisture for hot, humid locales. Exposure durations should be
reported in units of ultraviolet radiant energy, but may also be given
in “equivalent years” of regular outdoor exposure. Test cycles and
conditions should be reported.
• A third and next-best alternative in terms of correlation to realworld conditions is data from laboratory accelerated artificial weathering based on full solar-spectrum light sources such as xenon arc or
metal halide with controlled temperature and moisture. There are
many test cycles and conditions available and they should be specifically referenced. Exposure duration should be reported in radiant
energy dosage units in the ultraviolet wavelength region, as these are
the most damaging. If “equivalent years” of exposure are used, the
basis for the calculated comparison should be stated.
• A fourth-best option is data from older carbon-arc weathering
devices, which should be viewed with caution as they often show
poor correlation to outdoor performance. This is often particularly
true for more recently introduced coatings chemistries and highchroma organic pigments. The exception to this rule is evaluation of
fluoropolymer coatings using unfiltered open-flame “sunshine” carbon arc; the UV severity of this test appears to be necessary to stress
these high-performance coatings within a reasonable time frame,
and correlation with field performance has typically been shown to
be high. Data should state the test conditions or test standard and
hours of exposure; “outdoor equivalence” has not been universally
established.
• Number five in this hierarchy is data from fluorescent condensation laboratory devices, which should be based on the use of
UVA-340 lamps. Previously, UVB-313 lamps were commonly
used to provide greater acceleration, but these have shown
“reversals” from outdoor weathering and their use is specifically
discouraged in the ASTM G154 standard for weathering tests.
Controlled-irradiance devices should be used as older non-light
monitoring equipment were subject to considerable variability.
Note that fluorescent condensation tests using UVA-340 lamps are
best suited only for testing binders and pigments that degrade
from <340nm UV radiation and are not full weathering tests; test
data should be regarded as provisional unless confirmatory outdoor or more rigorous accelerated weathering tests are conducted. Data should be reported in ultraviolet radiant energy units,
because “equivalent outdoor” correlations are questionable; if
“hours” of exposure are reported, the irradiance level, test-cycle
conditions and lamp type should be stated.
Tips on where to start
So how does one start to establish a weathering spec for a project
or evaluate a coatings weatherability statement? First, as they say in
real estate, “location, location, location.” Where is the coating to be
used? The most severe U.S./Canada locations are going to be sub67
tropical south Florida or the desert Southwest. You’ll ideally want
weathering data (outdoor or laboratory) for that environment.
The Southwest will see higher UV, by about 20%, and higher
maximum temperatures; Miami will see wet times approaching
50%. Northern-tier cities will typically see moderately high temperatures and about half the solar radiation and weathering rates, and
most of Europe will see even less.
Next, what is the geometry of the architectural project? South-facing facades will see more solar radiation, while those that are westfacing will see high solar radiation at the hottest part of the day.
Horizontal and inclined surfaces will see higher levels of sunlight
than vertical ones.
Apart from mechanical coatings failure, how much appearance
change can you accept? The AAMA guidelines are a good basis for
coatings on metals. If data on appearance change vs. exposure
exists, you can get a sense of how much difference you can expect
on different facades. Uneven appearance changes are more easily
noticed than overall, even change. You’ll want to see data for color,
as colorants possess greatly varying light stability.
What is the minimum accepted coating life? Based on the above
points and available geographical UV data, a radiant-energy
dosage over the service life can be established. Accelerated test data
to that endpoint, or real-time outdoor weathering, can provide a
good indication of coatings durability performance for your project.
Make sure all this data on coatings measures up
If you weren’t already aware of the staggering amount of data that
can be generated to predict a coating’s durability, you should be
now. Indeed, sorting through this data can constitute an arduous
and confusing task, and presents multiple opportunities for error by
pegging purchasing claims to erroneous data.
The most important thing to do is make sure you know all the significant details of how and where a coating will be applied. Then,
make sure your coatings vendor has subjected its products to multiple testing methodologies that conform to a uniform set of standards. Durability claims become much more reliable when a product has been subjected to numerous tests conducted by experts who
have compiled a proven track record in the industry.
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of columns on assessing
the durability of coatings by Allen Zielnik, Atlas Materials Testing
Technologies L.L.C.
JAC
Featured in the July issue of the Journal of Architectural Coatings ...
SPECIAL REPORT on the
Beautification and Protection of Concrete
A comprehensive report on the state of
the art in materials used to beautify
and protect concrete: stains, coatings,
floor toppings, and other materials, for
interiors and exteriors, walls, and floors.
Plus, Coatings for Schools, Graffiti
Resistance, and Wood Coatings
A new read on high-end commercial
and architectural coatings technology
68
ProjectProfile
Eye to the future
Polysiloxane technology
enlisted to give millennium
landmark a long-term
lease on London skyline
T
he British Airways London Eye, which lays claim to
being the world’s largest observation wheel, offers
spectacular views across London from its site along the
south bank of the River Thames. It has become Britain’s
most popular tourist attraction, drawing approximately
four million visitors a year.
Though it was originally conceived and built as a temporary
structure to mark the turn of the millennium, the BA London Eye
proved far too popular to be considered a mere throwaway, and
it was decided that the attraction should remain a part of the
London skyline on a permanent basis. As a result, the structure’s
owners and operators realized that a total repaint job was needed to ensure that the structural integrity and appearance remain
intact.
The choice of materials for the project comprised a three-part
coatings system topped by an acrylic polysiloxane finish coat formulated to provide
long-term retention of aesthetic properties
such as gloss and color. Epoxy primer and
intermediate coatings serve to provide
enhanced corrosion protection and overall
performance benefits.
Coatings supplier International Protective Coatings, a marketing division of International Paint and part of Netherlands-based
Akzo Nobel, said the choice of the acrylic polysiloxane reflected a number of important considerations for the project, including health and safety issues, ease of use, environmental impact,
long-term color and gloss retention, and mechanical properties.
Evolution of the ‘Eye’
Constructed to mark the turn of the millennium, the BA London
Eye was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects to
represent the turning of time. The wheel measures around 135
meters (approximately 450 feet) in diameter and weighs in at a
mammoth 1,900 metric tons, the majority of which is composed
of the hub and spindle, the A-frame legs, and the steel cables.
The construction process for the eye was quite unique. Once the
69
sections were completed and brought up the Thames to the site
by barge, it was compiled flat and rested on temporary platforms that had been created to hold the immense weight of the
structure. The steel circle at the outer edge of the wheel was
pieced together with the A frame, spindle, and hub, and connected using steel cables. Once this section was complete, the
wheel was smoothly lifted to the correct position using the
hinged legs.
The Eye is owned by The British Airways London Eye
Company, a consortium comprising British Airways, the
Tussauds Group, and Marks Barfield, the structure’s architects.
Tussauds is the operator of the Eye.
The main steel structure was fabricated in The Netherlands
by Hollandia, the capsules were made in France, the glass
panels and cables in Italy, the main bearing in Germany, and
other components in the Czech Republic. The steel is from
Britain. International Paint supplied the structure’s original
coating system.
The contract for the repaint project was awarded to F.A.
Clover & Son Ltd. Industrial Painting Contractors.
Capsule with a view
The 32 fully enclosed passenger capsules, or “pods,” each holding up to 25 people, are positioned on the outside of the wheel
for an unobstructed view, and are kept level by a motorized
motion-capability system. Passengers can sit or walk around
freely in air-conditioned or heated comfort. Camera and radio
links run from each capsule to the ground, and an audio commentary describes the famous landmarks on view. Up to 800
passengers at a time can take in 360-degree views of London
and the surrounding countryside as far as 25 miles away during a ride that lasts for approximately half an hour.
Taking its place among other modern architectural landmarks
such as the Swiss Re building, designed by Foster and Partners,
and Canary Wharf, the Eye also offers views of historic architectural icons such as Tower Bridge and the Houses of
Parliament.
At night, the whole wheel is illuminated by an imaginative
lighting scheme. The rim literally “breathes” as the intensity of
the light pulses slowly 16 times each minute. Capsules are lit on
embarkation and gradually fade into darkness during the night
“flight.”
Drawing on technologies more commonly associated with
buildings and vehicles, the architects David Marks and Julia
Barford and their design team created an “intelligent structure”
able to respond to weather conditions and thus ensure that passengers always enjoy a safe and smooth journey. The UK Health
and Safety Executive designated the wheel a “fairground attraction” and thus attention to safety was absolute.
70
In the event of a system failure that would cause the pods to tip
over, the glass ceilings are strong enough to withstand the weight
of 50 people. Each capsule is equipped with a total back-up system to allow for any failures. Even lightning conductors were
included in the design. The glass on the capsules has been subjected to artificial lightning strikes in a laboratory used to test F111 fighter planes.
The giant wheel was initially intended to be a temporary project for the millennium celebrations, much as the Eiffel Tower was
conceived as a temporary structure at the turn of the previous
century. With this is mind, the original finish coat specification
was crafted for a service life only as long as the structure’s projected operating life of around five years, in line with temporary
planning permission. The original specification called for a coating system comprising a shop-applied zinc-rich epoxy primer, an
epoxy barrier—or intermediate—coat, and a field-applied
polyurethane finish coat. Interestingly, a final topcoat was never
applied due to a tight schedule for the startup of operation.
Following the decision that the Eye should remain part of the
London experience, it was determined that the visual aesthetics
should be upgraded. In particular, the situation called for an
environmentally friendly finish that would retain its gloss, color,
and integrity for as long as possible.
The scope of the preparation and finishing job encompassed
the entire structure, including:
• The pier, its two brows and anti-collision booms;
• The complete wheel structure itself, including the central hub
and spindle construction;
• The 80-meter- (approximately 260-foot)-high supporting “Aframe” legs; and
• The loading and unloading ramps and associated hand railing, the two restraint towers and the riverbed piling.
The total area of steelwork to be coated was approximately
13,000 square meters, or about 42,000 square feet on abovewater areas and 2,000 square meters, or approximately 6,500
square feet, on areas that see service below water.
International Protective Coatings carried out an Interplan®
survey, or pictorial site and corrosion survey, to determine the
specification and maintenance requirements. The Interplan document contained a detailed inspection report, including photographs, and a complete specification. The company won out in
the bidding to supply the coatings for the project with a threepart coating system composed of epoxy primer, epoxy intermediate coat and acrylic polysiloxane finish coat. The system is
designed to provide extended corrosion protection and longterm durability and retention of aesthetics such as color and
gloss. The three parts are all two-component products.
Specifically, the system consisted of International’s Patch
Prime-Interplus® 256 low-VOC surface-tolerant epoxy for the
primer, Interseal® 670HS low-VOC high-solids surface-tolerant
epoxy intermediate coat, and Interfine® 979 low-VOC, highperformance acrylic polysiloxane for the finish coat. For areas
below the tidal water line of the Thames, the specification called
for application of Interzone® 954, a low-VOC, high-solids
epoxy with underwater-curing capability.
The company prefers to estimate VOCs for the project on an
“emissions per square meter” basis, and gives a figure of less
than 60 g/m2.
The challenge of application
The application work was executed by two teams, one operating
during the day and the other at night after operation of the Eye
closed. The application technicians were specially trained and
experienced in working on high structures, allowing the Eye to
continue operating during its busiest period with minimal disruption to the wheel or the enjoyment of visitors.
The bulk of the project was carried out between May and
October of 2003, with the balance completed in the summer of
2004. Access to the structure posed interesting challenges, and
required a combination of different application tactics. These
methods included the employment of roped access, M.E.W.P.S
(also known as “cherry pickers”); a huge, 72-meter Bronto Skylift
truck-mounted access hoist; existing mechanical arms mounted
on the London Eye restraint towers; an intricate scaffold to the
underside of the Eye capable of coping with the tidal forces of
the Thames; a Unifloat pontoon; a variety of boats, and a jack
leg, or “spud” barge.
In addition to the usual hazards faced on high-elevation painting jobs, one of the unique challenges of the “Eye” contract was
executing the project in the midst of one of London’s busiest locations. The huge volume of pedestrian and tourist traffic meant
that by the end of the project, the contractor’s personnel became
adept at fielding a wide variety of questions about the Eye and
surrounding tourist attractions, as well as giving directions to all
parts of the capital.
Polysiloxane technology formulated
to offer balance of key properties
International Protective Coatings says the patented acrylic polysiloxane finish coat offers several key performance benefits,
including long-term UV resistance and abrasion and impact
resistance that minimizes damage due to construction work and
activities encountered during service. The flexibility of the cured
film also is seen as an advantage when it is applied to structures
subject to movement because it helps to reduce cracking and premature coating failure in “stress point” areas such as welds and
edges, International says.
From an environmental and health-and-safety standpoint,
assets of the acrylic polysiloxane include low VOC content and
the absence of isocyanates in the coating composition.
Recommended applications for the acrylic polysiloxane
include new construction and repaint work, with spray, roller,
and brush application possible.
International Protective Coatings says R&D efforts involving the
polysiloxane technology spanned more than 10 years, and the
company describes its current technology as a “second generation” version. The company’s initial offerings were primarily
epoxy-modified polysiloxanes, with newer products boasting
enhanced performance properties, the company says. The term
polysiloxane describes a generic chemistry based on the Si-O-Si
bond, as opposed to the more traditional C-C bonds of coatings
such as polyurethanes. The strength of these Si-O-Si bonds is
reputed to produce the technology’s superior UV resistance.
Modification of the polysiloxane backbone with organic components based on C-C bonds is needed to produce viable coatings compositions. Three important variables that dramatically
affect the performance of the final coating are the type of modification—e.g., acrylic versus epoxy; the level of modification,
with higher levels generally diluting the benefits of the polysiloxane chemistry; and the modification method—blend versus
chemical graft.
Polysiloxane coatings currently seeing use come with a complete range of these modifications, which can significantly affect
coatings application and performance properties such as longterm adhesion, gloss and color retention, and long-term mechanical performance. Also playing important parts in the quality and
performance of the coating are pigments employed to provide
color. Combining lesser-quality pigments with a polysiloxane
polymer system formulated to provide UV resistance will lead to
inferior performance.
In addition to the BA London Eye, International Protective
Coatings’ acrylic polysiloxane technology has been used on a
number of high-profile projects around the world, including
Barcelona’s iconic Hotel Arts, Singapore’s Changi Airport extension, Vancouver’s Broadway Station project, the Ganghui Plaza
in Shanghai, and the Melbourne Gateway in Australia. The technology’s project portfolio also includes roller coasters, bridges,
stadia, and office buildings in countries ranging from the United
States and Mexico to China and Sweden.
International Protective Coatings is headquartered in Newcastleon-Tyne, U.K., with regional offices located in London; Shanghai;
Brisbane, Australia; and Houston. More information is available
at www.polysiloxane.net
JAC
71
AdIndex
Air Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Ameron International Protective Coatings Group . . . . . . . . . . . .7
The ArmaKleen Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Atlas Material Testing Technology . . . . . . .12
Bayer Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Benjamin Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Blastrac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Cargill Industrial Oils & Lubricants . . . . . .21
Coronado Paint / Insl-X . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Crown Polymers, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44-45
Dayton Superior . . . . . . . . . . . . .49, 51, 53
Diamond Vogel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
DuPont Industrial Coatings . . . . . .Back Cover
Dunn-Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Eliokem, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Graco Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
ICI Devoe . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover
Journal of Architectural Coatings . . . . . . . .68
KTA-Tator, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Kelly-Moore Paint Company . . . . . . . . . . .31
LMCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Muralo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5, 33
PolySpec L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Prime Coat Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
RCI Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Rodda Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Rubber Polymer Corporation . . . . . . . . . . .61
Rust-Oleum Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
SSPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Sherwin-Williams . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover
Sto Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Tnemec Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
United Coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
ZRC Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Calendar
April 20-23
Annual CSI Show and Convention
Construction Specifications Institute
McCormick Place
Chicago
800/689-2900
www.csinet.org
Sept. 6-7
IV ACI/CANMET International Conference
American Concrete Institute/IBRACO—Brazilian
Concrete Institute
Olinda, Brazil
+55 11 3767 4106
www.furnas.com.br/hpc2005
May 19-21
The AIA National Convention and Design
Exposition
American Institute of Architects
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas
800/242-3837
www.aiaconvention.com
Sept. 12-14
HRC International Historic Preservation Education
Symposium
American Institute of Architects Historic Resources
Committee
University of Bath
Bath, UK
800/242-3837 or 202/626-7300
www.aia.org
June 8-10
Nanotechnology in Coatings: Realizing
the Potential Conference
Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology
(FSCT)
Seattle
610/940-0777
www.coatingstech.org
fax: 610.940.0292; email:
[email protected]).
June 10-11
BETEC 2004 Spring Symposium
Membranes in Enclosure Wall Systems
Building Environment & Thermal Envelope Council
National Institute of Building Sciences
Crystal City Marriott Hotel
Arlington, VA
202/289-7800
www.nibs.org
June 25-28
BOMA International Congress and Office Building
Show
Building Owners and Managers Association
International and Realcomm
Anaheim, CA
202/408-2662
www.boma.org
72
Sept. 15-17
AISC Annual Meeting 2005
American Institute of Steel Construction
St. Regis Monarch Beach
Dana Point, CA
312/670-5438
www.aisc.org
Sept. 17-23
Prague: 20th Century Architecture in Transition—
From Monarchy to Democracy, from Communism to
Civil Society
Hotel Alcron
Prague, Czech Republic
800/242-3837 or 202/626-7300
www.aia.org
Sept. 25-27
Coating Wood and Wood Composites Conference
(FSCT Advances in Coatings Series)
Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology
Marriott Charlotte Executive Park
Charlotte, NC
610/940-0777
Oct. 19-22
AAH Fall Conference: Realizing a Sustainable
Architecture for Health
Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa
Los Angeles, CA
800/242-3837 or 202/626-7300
www.aia.org
Oct. 23-25
NPCA 2005 Annual Meeting
National Paint & Coatings Association
Cleveland, OH
202/462-6272
www.paint.org
Nov. 3-4
ICRI 2005 Fall Conference
International Concrete Repair Institute
J.W. Marriott Hotel
New Orleans, LA
847/827-0830
www.icri.org
Nov. 6-9
Biennial Western Coatings Symposium and Show
Western Coatings Societies and Federation of
Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT)
Westin Casuarina Hotel & Spa
Las Vegas, NV
610/940-0777
Nov. 6-10
ACI Fall Convention
American Concrete Institute
248/848-3795
www.concrete.org
Nov. 7-11
Greenbuild 2005
U.S. Green Building Council
Atlanta, GA
202/828-7422
www.greenbuildexpo.org
DEVFLEX
Flexible Acrylic Adhesion
™
Take the STRE
SS O
ut o
f
A COMPLETE LINE
OF
Main
tenanc
e Painting
ACRYLIC PRIMERS & FINISHES
Devflex™ Acrylic Primers and Finishes offer you "flexibility" of choosing the right acrylic
coating for your maintenance requirements. The Devflex range of waterborne acrylic coatings
offers you a choice of finishes and performance features to match your project needs.
Easy Use
• Waterborne technology
• Low Odor
• Soap & Water Cleanup
• Easy application
Time & Money Savings
Colors & Whites
Stay Bright
• Interior & Exterior uses
• Non-Yellowing
• Multiple surface uses
• Chalk resistant
• Multiple uses – residential,
commercial & industrial
applications
• Keeps its color
• Durable finish
• Good color & gloss retention
• Fewer products needed
for a project
• Moisture & UV resistant
• Less waste
• Flexible film
THE
POWER
8 0 0 - 6 5 4 - 2 6 1 6 • w w w. d evo e c o a t i n g s . c o m
© 2003 ICI Paints, All Rights Reserved
Performance
TO
PROTECT