Planning a complete makeover of your commercial or industrial building? Industrial and commercial buildings experience plenty of traffic and may be exposed to chemicals, dust, sunlight, and extreme weather conditions. That means you need to find the right paint that fully meets your needs. The best commercial paint is durable, reliable, and doesn’t break the bank, and it keeps your space clean and appealing for years to come.
What Makes Commercial and Industrial Paint Different From Regular Paint?
Commercial and industrial buildings often require more durable, specialized protective coatings, which differ from regular paint. They feature:
- Higher durability: Commercial and industrial paint is more durable, with options like Sherwin-Williams’ line that provide protective coatings that withstand daily use and protect your walls in the long term.
- Weather and corrosion resistance: The primary function of commercial and industrial paint is to protect walls against harsh environments, so it’s engineered to resist weather and corrosion.
- Chemical protection: Industrial and commercial paints are formulated with additives that protect surfaces from chemicals and toxic fumes. While regular paint provides basic protection, it’s not suited for industrial applications.
- Safety compliance: Industrial and commercial paints are often required to ensure compliance in workplace settings and hazardous environments. It is also easier to clean and will last longer.
- Designed for high-traffic and high-wear environments: Regular paint can only withstand basic use and wear. Industrial and commercial paint, on the other hand, is specifically designed for high-traffic areas and can withstand heavy wear and tear.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint for Commercial or Industrial Buildings
Below are a few factors to consider when choosing paint for your commercial or industrial building.
Traffic Levels
Commercial and industrial buildings experience higher levels of traffic than residential buildings. This means the paint type you choose should withstand the traffic and wear and tear in your commercial space.
Exposure to Chemicals or Heat
Depending on the nature of your commercial or industrial space, paint may be exposed to chemicals, heat, and toxic fumes. If exposure levels are high, you need paint formulated to resist peeling or bubbling.
Surface Material
The building’s surface material determines which paint option is best suited to it. Depending on your building’s interior and exterior architecture, the paint must be appropriate for the surfaces being painted, whether it is metal, wood, concrete, or brick, to ensure proper adhesion and longevity.
Environmental Conditions
Environmental conditions like moisture, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and pollutants can affect your building’s paint. When choosing paint for your commercial or industrial building, you’ll want to keep these environmental conditions in mind.
Maintenance Needs
Some paint types are hard to maintain and keep clean over the long term, but sturdier paints designed for industrial or commercial applications are easier to maintain and clean. If your commercial space requires frequent maintenance, choose a paint that withstands regular cleaning without fading or peeling.
Safety and Compliance Standards
Regulatory compliance is crucial in industrial painting, and failure to meet safety standards can result in fines, penalties, and legal issues. Make sure that you choose a paint type that meets the compliance standards for your commercial or industrial building. If needed, you can contact local commercial paint professionals to discuss your options.
Best Paint Types for Commercial Buildings
Depending on your building’s needs, you can choose from various paint types. Below is a brief overview of the best paint types for commercial buildings.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint combines the durability of acrylic with the ease of use of latex. It offers excellent durability, adhesion, and versatility, making it ideal for any interior or exterior surface of your commercial building.
High-Performance Acrylic or Masonry Coatings
High-performance acrylic or masonry coatings are commonly used on concrete, stucco, and masonry surfaces. These coatings offer strong moisture resistance and breathability while allowing the surface to expand and contract naturally. They are a practical, durable option for commercial buildings without the thickness or application requirements of elastomeric products.
Latex Enamel Paint
Latex enamel combines latex and enamel to deliver enhanced durability and lower odors. This makes it scratch-resistant and stain-proof, so it’s highly suitable for high-traffic areas. With options such as Sherwin-Williams’ line of industrial and commercial coatings, specially formulated for specific industrial zones, you have many options.
Specialized Paints for Specific Conditions
Some commercial spaces require paints with tailored formulations for protection and resistance. Some specialized paint types for specific applications include:
- Schools, offices, and hospitals: Low-VOC paint reduces harmful airborne chemicals.
- Commercial exteriors: Anti-graffiti coatings keep your space looking clean and professional.
- Healthcare environments: Antimicrobial paint reduces bacterial growth and infections, and adheres to compliance standards.
- Roof: Reflective roof coatings improve energy efficiency.
- Safety zones: Anti-slip floor coatings create safety zones in your commercial or industrial space.
- Manufacturing plants: Heat-resistant paint is ideal for manufacturing plants and factories.
Best Paint Types for Industrial Buildings
Industrial buildings require sturdier, more resistant paint options. These facilities often need coatings designed to handle heavy wear, chemical exposure, moisture, and other demanding conditions. Below are some of the best paint types for industrial buildings.
Industrial Epoxy Coating
Industrial epoxy coating is a durable, high-performance surface coating made with epoxy resin and a hardener. It protects surfaces from abrasion, chemical exposure, heavy impact, and moisture, making it a strong choice for industrial buildings.
Anti-Corrosive/Rust-Inhibiting Paints
Anti-corrosive or rust-inhibiting paints are specially formulated to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. These paints create chemical inhibitors that block oxygen and moisture from reaching the metal.
Intumescent Paint
Intumescent paint is a fire-resistant coating that expands and chars when exposed to heat, forming an insulating layer to protect the underlying surfaces. It works well on wood, steel, and concrete, and is ideal for manufacturing facilities.
How to Choose the Right Paint Type
Here’s a detailed overview of how you can choose the right paint type for your commercial or industrial building:
Assess Building Type and Surfaces
Different types of paint are suited for different types of buildings and surfaces. Some paints work well in commercial buildings, whereas industrial buildings require sturdier, more durable paints. Before choosing paint, assess your building, the surfaces to be painted, and any factors that could affect the paint’s lifespan.
Consider Environmental Conditions
Not all paints resist environmental exposure the same way. Conditions such as temperature, moisture, temperature, humidity, weather, and sunlight all affect what paint is right for your project. Before making a decision, assess all possible environmental conditions to choose the right paint for your project.
Evaluate Maintenance Levels
Some paints can withstand frequent cleaning. Other paints are delicate and aren’t designed to withstand high traffic or frequent cleaning. If your building requires frequent cleaning and maintenance, choose a wear-resistant paint.
Consult a Professional Commercial/Industrial Painting Company
Before you make your decision, it’s best to consult with a professional commercial and industrial painting contractor. An expert painter can guide you through the necessary factors to consider and recommend the right type of paint.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when choosing paint for your commercial or residential building.
- Using residential paint for commercial projects: Most paint that works well in your home cannot survive the wear and tear of commercial spaces.
- Ignoring surface preparation: A lack of preparation results in poor adhesion and finish.
- Underestimating the need for specialized coatings: Specialized coatings are made for specific applications, so you shouldn’t underestimate their importance.
- Choosing paint only based on price: Pricing is a good factor to consider, but not the only one; performance and durability are just as essential.
Get a Professional Paint Assessment With Colorado Painting
Painting commercial and industrial buildings isn’t as easy as painting a residential building. Commercial buildings require specialized coatings that are better equipped to withstand high traffic, chemical exposure, heat, dust, and fluctuating temperatures. That’s why you need to evaluate your building’s needs and all other factors to choose the right type of paint. If you need support, our experts at Colorado Painting are here to help. Call us today to schedule professional painting services in Denver.
