Advances in building technology aren’t limited to such obviously high-tech areas as the Building Internet of Things. Paint and other coatings are also seeing gains as manufacturers’ research labs come up with new formulas to solve evolving problems, according to an article from Building Operation Management on the FacilitiesNet website.

Technological innovations in paint are leading to coatings that are faster and easier to apply, last longer, and perform new functions, such as warding off disease and saving energy.

One example is that paint is easier to apply — technology allows for a smooth, even distribution off the roller, which means less time and less fatigue for the workers, says Steve Revnew, senior vice president of marketing and product innovation at Sherwin Williams. “The most expensive part of any job is the labor,” he says, and a premium coating can help save money in that department — as well as reducing maintenance expenses in later years.

Another measure that manufacturers have taken to make application simpler is combining primer and topcoat. “Coatings with both paint and primer built in allow consumers and professionals to pick up one single coating product and skip the actual priming step,” said Sidney Maxey, director of research and development at Behr. Two coats of the product still need to be applied, but “it does build primer technology right into the can.” 

Read the article.