When it comes to commercial exterior painting projects, cracking, flaking and peeling are some serious coatings failures that can affect not only the integrity of the building envelope but also the structural materials.
According to the Paint Quality Institute, using top-quality paint systems that adhere better to substrates and are more flexible compared to ordinary paint products can help prevent premature paint failure.
Furthermore, most high-quality paint systems contain additives that make them impervious to UV radiation, moisture penetration, water ingress, rot and mold formation. Thanks to special additives, a high-quality coating system can last up to 10 years, depending on the degree of surface preparation, outdoor conditions and maintenance activities.
The trick to choosing the right type of finish for your commercial exterior painting project depends on several considerations. Now, let’s go through the most important ones.
Gloss and Color Retention
The gloss level and color retention of a paint film are two critical characteristics in Florida. Usually, the exterior paints that have a higher concentration of high-quality acrylic binders deliver undeniable benefits to a commercial building exposed to strong UV radiation.
Compared to flat finishes, glossy acrylic latex paint contains a higher amount of binders than pigments. Binding all the ingredients together, the quantity and quality of the binder affects almost all the properties of a paint system, including its flow, leveling, film build, durability, glossiness and resistance to cracking, flaking, peeling, fading, and normal wear and tear.
A high-quality 100% acrylic paint, such as A-100 Exterior Acrylic Latex, also contains more prime pigments, meaning it provides a much better coverage than lower-quality, less expensive finishes.
Crack Resistance
Maintaining the integrity of the building envelope can help preserve both the exterior and interior of a commercial facility.
When it comes to maintenance, the ability of the facility owner or manager to correctly identify and address early indicators of deterioration as well as take the necessary steps to prevent potential damage is critically important.
As a preventative measure, commercial paint contractors use high-quality 100% acrylic latex coatings that ensure superior resistance to cracking and peeling. Enhancing the flexibility and adhesion properties of latex paint formulations, the added acrylic binders turn these finishes into some of the best options against various paint failures.
As an example, 100% acrylic latex coatings like HGTV Home and Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex have displayed great coverage and excellent resistance to cracking, peeling, blistering, dirt, mildew and mold formation in our field tests.
Additionally, the acrylic latex paint formulations that meet the most stringent VOC regulations are best suited for commercial painting projects.
Waterproofing
To protect your commercial property against the negative effects of water penetration, excess moisture and mold development, all waterproofing requirements should be addressed by experienced commercial paint contractors.
According to experts, opting for elastomeric coatings in addition to other waterproofing solutions can help prevent moisture and water from passing through the building envelope.
Forming a tough, long-lasting waterproofing film that can hide surface imperfections, bridge non-structural hairline cracks, and withstand strong UV radiation along with wind speeds up to 120 mph, elastomeric paint is ideal for use on different surfaces, including masonry, stucco, EIFS and concrete.
For instance, elastomeric coatings like ConFlex XL Smooth or Textured High Building Coating can be successfully used in numerous commercial exterior painting applications.
With more than 16 years of experience in the painting industry, Performance Painting Contractors can help you choose the best coating solutions for your commercial project. To consult with one of our qualified professionals in Jacksonville or Tampa, FL, please call (904)-641-4800 or (813)-308-0388.