Best practices for architectural coatings

by Katie Daniel | October 31, 2016 3:19 pm

by Elizabeth A. Hnatiw, AIA, LEED AP
Architectural paints and coatings have a long history of application across a wide range of construction and surface types, yet they are among the most misunderstood and misused of building materials. Originating in European traditions, architectural painting in North America experienced a dramatic shift in the mid-19^th century, when mass production and the growth of the petrochemical industry changed both the products themselves and the specialized trade that had developed for their preparation and application.

The development of synthetic resins, artificial pigments, and other technological advances has improved the stability, ease of application, and availability of paints and coatings to the degree it can seem unnecessary to employ skilled labor to apply such failsafe products. However, understanding these products in terms of their properties and behavior seems to demand an advanced degree in chemical sciences, with the array of components so vast and their names so technical and esoteric.

This article’s goal is to demystify the field of architectural coatings, and, by so doing, improve outcomes in the removal, selection, and application of paints, waterproofing coatings, protective products, and other surface treatments. In such a brief space, this author can only touch on some of the diverse products and considerations in the broad array of available coatings. However, given the large number of buildings that have been irreparably damaged by the uninformed and indiscriminate use of coatings, it is critical to understand their basic composition, appropriate uses, and considerations for specification, application, restoration, and replacement.

Composition
In general, paints comprise two elements: the pigment and the vehicle. The former imparts color, texture, and opacity, while the latter provides fluidity, adhesion, permeability, and durability.

Pigment
Finely divided coloring materials, pigments are suspended as discrete particles in the vehicle. Traditional inorganic pigments include clay earths and crushed minerals, the color palette of which has been refined and expanded over the years with the addition of manufactured artificial pigments. Organic pigments, traditionally derived from animal and vegetable sources, also include coal-tar synthetic colorants.

In addition to color and opacity, pigments impart other properties to paint, including light-fastness, pH sensitivity, dispersion, consistency, and drying effect. Understanding which pigments possess which properties, and capitalizing on these effects, can help improve the appearance and durability of the paint application.

Vehicle
The liquid component of the paint system, the vehicle (also known as the medium) carries the pigment and imparts the cohesive and adhesive film-forming properties of the coating. Other properties, including elasticity, consistency, plasticity, viscosity, and reversibility, may also be attributed to the vehicle. The type of substrate determines the appropriate vehicle.

The vehicle, in turn, is often made up of two key components: the binder and the solvent. Most binders are classified as aqueous (water-based) or non-aqueous and are derived from natural animal, plant, and mineral sources or, more recently, from synthetic resins such as alkyds, vinyls, epoxies, and urethanes.

Solvents—the volatile portion of the vehicle—aid in the initial application of the product and later evaporate during film formation. In recent years, solvents containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been largely phased out for interior applications in favor of water-based products, as inhalation of vapors has been shown to cause health problems. (For more information, visit the EPA page, “Volatile Organic Compounds’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality” at www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality[1].)

Additives
A third, and far smaller, class of component in coatings is the additive. Used in small proportion, additives can act as freeze-thaw stabilizers, biocides, preservatives, pigment suspension aids, accelerators, emulsifiers, de-foamers, and wetting or drying agents.

Assessing failure and deterioration
Over time, paints and coatings require replacement. Since their lifespan depends largely on the condition of the substrate to which they have been applied, coating failure may be symptomatic of larger building distress. Before replacing peeling paint or a failed coating with another coat, it is advisable to investigate the condition(s) that may have led the coating to deteriorate.

If the paint film or coating failure is not attributable to other building conditions, potential causes for premature breakdown may be related to inferior paint composition, poor surface preparation or application techniques, incompatibility of different paint layers, or exposure due to climate or proximity to water-shedding elements. Higher-grade coatings tend to have longer life expectancies, but the lifespan of any coating can be cut short by environmental conditions or faulty workmanship.

Some of the common conditions and deterioration mechanisms include:

• peeling and blistering—loss of adhesion between coating layers (cohesive failure) or at the interface with the building element (adhesive failure), typically caused by inadequate surface preparation, incompatibility between coating layers, trapped water vapor, extreme temperatures, or too rapid drying and entrapment of the volatile vehicle;
• wrinkling—deformation of the coating that may be due to application on a cold surface, layers applied too thickly, or application before the previous coat has dried;
• crazing, checking, or microcracking—fine patterns of cracking in brittle or excessively thick coatings that cannot expand or contract to accommodate dimensional changes in the substrate; often the result of low-quality paint, insufficient drying time between coats, trapped moisture, or long-term ultraviolet (UV) exposure;
• alligatoring—deep, open cracks resembling an alligator’s hide can result if crazed or cracked coatings are not replaced, or if built-up paint layers form a thick coating that is exposed to years and years of UV radiation;
• chalking—a powdery surface that is caused by photochemical breakdown of the binder, usually due to UV exposure; and
• discoloration—stains and changes in color that may result from a number of factors, such as biological growth, environmental conditions (including pH levels and light exposure), and oxidation.

Restoration
Particularly for historic structures, restoration typically includes research and testing to identify the original building appearance, or that at a significant date. In addition to examination of historical records and period photographs, the investigation may include collection and laboratory analysis of paint samples to assess the structure, composition, and color of what can often be many layers of paint.

If the intention of restoration is to revert to an uncoated surface and expose the substrate, it is important to consider the reason the coating was initially applied. If the coating was used to disguise poorly executed repairs or cover deteriorating masonry, it will likely be necessary to restore the integrity and soundness of the substrate before reversion to an uncoated surface or reapplication of the coating. If paint was applied to conceal unmatched repairs or mottled surfaces, coating removal may yield an unsatisfactory appearance. To determine underlying conditions, test panel removals are recommended.

In the case of historic or older structures for which paint is part of the building character, the properties and appearance of the original coatings should be reproduced to preserve the architectural aesthetic. Removal of older, built-up paint layers is necessary to achieve a sound substrate for recoating.

Removal
The four basic approaches to coating removal involve heat, chemical strippers, poulticing, or mechanical removal by means of abrasion.

Heat removal only works with paints that soften in response to higher temperatures; care must be taken to avoid scorching the underlying surface or igniting flammable materials within the wall assembly.

Chemical stripping agents are toxic and require proper containment and disposal, and they can damage surfaces, depositing harmful residues on porous materials.

Poultice application consists of absorbent material mixed with solvent to form a paste, which can improve the effectiveness of chemical removal. However, by increasing contact time, poulticing may also deposit chemical residues or stains that are difficult to remove.

Abrasive and mechanical techniques can be effective, but they may cause irreparable damage if the pressure is too high, the aggregate too abrasive, or the grinding/sanding too aggressive, such that cleaning abrades the substrate.

The use of chemical cleaning will likely require testing on a small scale before undertaking large-scale removals. Neutralizing washes and water rinses may be required. To avoid penalties, such as fines or stop-work orders, a plan should be made for the environmentally safe disposal of cleaning agents and rinsing effluent, as dictated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or local regulatory authority. Depending on the age of the structure, testing for lead-based paint may be required prior to removal, with appropriate procedures for abatement.

With recent legal restrictions on the use of VOCs, alternative detergent and enzyme products have been developed to replace these toxic and high-odor solvents. As people have grown accustomed to low- or no-VOC products, foul odors of any kind have become unacceptable to building occupants, even when the product is not technically harmful. As an example of the potential impact of paint removal on project progress, the stripping chemical employed by the contractor at one recent project produced such a strong odor that work was stopped and the building emptied.

To avoid unexpected delays and disruptions, a mockup should guide coating removal planning. Testing can confirm suitability, particularly if removal is to be complete while the building is occupied.

Conservation
Where preservation or replication of existing coatings is required, historical records and laboratory analysis of paint samples inform visual color matching. Should the toxicity or instability of the original coatings prevent their use in restoration, historic and landmark requirements may be satisfied with modern substitutes designed for such applications. Although the right hue is essential, gloss, texture, transparency, and other qualities will affect the color match.

Materials with high stability and reversibility are best-suited for conservation. It is important to remember many coatings, once applied, may not be removed without damaging the substrate.

Coating selection
The substrate material and condition determines the coating application type, as well as what surface preparation is deemed necessary for ensuring durability and long-term performance.

Of primary consideration when selecting a coating is whether it is designed for interior or exterior use. For example, the coating requirements for interior window frame and sash components are likely to be different from the coating requirements for exterior exposures. For interior applications, VOCs and odor will be the principal environmental considerations in coating selection.

For exterior applications, considerations include weather conditions, such as acid rain, wind-driven rain, ice, standing water, and freeze-thaw cycling. Some coatings can only be exposed to UV light for a limited time, as established by the manufacturer and driven by project warranty requirements. The manufacturer also typically stipulates application within specific ranges of temperature and humidity.

Cost may also be a consideration when selecting a coating. Higher-performance coating systems cost more, and the determining factor in choosing a product is often price rather than life expectancy. In calculating a coating’s true price tag, though, owners and managers would do well to consider not just installation and material cost alone, but also the life cycle cost. Since much of the expense of a painting or coating project is in labor, cutting costs by opting for a cheaper paint with a shorter lifespan may actually increase overall life cycle expenditures.

To avoid incompatibility between coats, it is usually advisable to select a complete coating system from a single manufacturer. If different brands of primers, paints, or finishing coats are combined, the design professional should evaluate the proposed system with the manufacturers to confirm compatibility and to verify the combination will not adversely affect the warranty.

Water-repellent and waterproof coatings
Intended to prevent liquid water from penetrating the surface while allowing water vapor to escape to the exterior, water-repellent coatings are transparent and intended to be invisible, although they may darken the substrate or impart a sheen/gloss. In contrast, waterproof coatings create a barrier impermeable to both liquid water and water vapor. Often opaque, waterproof coatings include bituminous, cementitious, and some elastomeric products.

Early water-repellent coatings were typically acrylic or silicone resins in organic solvents, which worked by forming a film on the surface of the building material. Newer water-based coatings are composed of modified siloxanes, silanes, alkoysilanes, or metallic stearates—these water-repellents penetrate into wood, concrete, or masonry, and are almost imperceptible if properly applied. However, some formulations may cause undesirable shine or darkening of the substrate. A mockup of the coating application is highly recommended in order to confirm the coated material’s appearance is acceptable.

Considerations for water-repellent coatings include substrates subject to frequent wetting, which have experienced severe or pervasive damage as a consequence. Water repellents greatly reduce the amount of moisture that comes in contact with a coated substrate, but their application is an irreversible treatment. Once a substrate is coated, it is impossible to return to an uncoated state—even if the coating fails.

Since coatings typically require periodic reapplication, a water-repellent coating creates an ongoing maintenance need for the life of the building. Compared with the expense of patch repairs or material replacement, coating to protect a fragile or high-exposure substrate can sometimes be a cost-effective repair.

Water-repellent coatings should be applied to clean and dry surfaces. If applied to already deteriorated surfaces, these products may exacerbate the damage by trapping moisture, accelerating deterioration, and even pulling off the face of the building element should the coating fail. Water-repellent coatings are not consolidants, so they cannot be used to strengthen deteriorating brick, concrete, or stone. If the façade is kept in good repair, water-repellent coatings are usually not necessary or recommended.

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In some cases, water-repellents may be considered in selected areas or for specific substrates. The design professional should first evaluate the envelope’s watertightness and determine whether, despite proper rehabilitation measures, moisture is penetrating through exterior wall components. If water-repellent treatment is determined to be appropriate, it is best to treat only isolated problem materials or weaker areas, such as those exposed to weather extremes, rather than the entire building.

Unlike water-repellent coatings, waterproof coatings do not permit migration of water in any state—whether liquid or vapor—either into or out of the wall. If water enters the wall via a roof leak, through the building interior, or by means of capillary migration (rising damp) from the ground, it will be unable to escape if a waterproof coating has been applied. Trapped water can cause extensive damage, particularly if freeze-thaw cycling exceeds the tensile strength of the material and causes the substrate to break apart.

Waterproof coatings are often used in isolated cases for below-grade applications, but it is generally inadvisable to use them above ground for most types of buildings, particularly historic structures.

Anti-microbial coatings
Coating products that claim to prevent dirt accumulation or biological growth and so reduce maintenance demands may be effective, but in some cases a coated surface may actually attract more dirt or encourage more biological growth than an uncoated one. Routine cleaning with gentle methods appropriate to the building material can be just as effective, with the added benefit of avoiding the added maintenance and inadvertent ramifications that accompany coatings.

Getting the details right
Each participant in the design, production, and application of a coating has a role in determining the installation’s long-term success. Taking into consideration the type of substrate to receive the coating, the condition of building materials, environmental factors, product performance data, color and gloss, permeability, and other criteria, the design professional selects the coating and specifies any test methods, mockup standards, and application requirements that might be relevant.

The contractor is responsible for submittals to be reviewed by the architect for all products and installation details. The manufacturer, in turn, verifies that the proposed installation meets warranty requirements. Once drawings, specifications, and submittals have been approved, the design professional should conduct site visits in order to evaluate preparation and mockups, address unanticipated field conditions, and verify the application meets the design criteria.

Substrate preparation
The smoothness and soundness of the surface is critical to the long-term durability of a coating. Typically, materials with rough and irregular surfaces are not ideal for direct coating applications. Coatings are not designed to bridge gaps (e.g. bug holes, small fissures, or areas where mortar joints are no longer fully packed); while a coating may appear to cover a crack, once it dries, the crack may telegraph through.

Coatings differ in the degree of substrate unevenness they can tolerate in order to perform as designed. A coating cannot be expected to correct deficiencies such as an unstable or crumbling surface. Removal of unsound material is required. To create a smooth, sound surface for coating application, all friable debris should be removed and surface repairs made prior to applying the coating. This includes removal of existing coatings that would prevent adhesion of the new coating to the surface.

Addition of a parging coat (i.e. a thin layer of cementitious material) to an uneven surface can create a smooth outer layer suitable for receiving coatings. Depending on the composition of the parging coat, a minimum curing time will be required by the manufacturer before a coating may be applied on top. Design professionals and owners should note the curing time for different types of materials, and the effect on project schedule, can vary substantially. Cementitious compounds can take days to cure, whereas polymer-modified mortars can effectively cure and be ready to coat in hours.

Protection of the substrate may be necessary to provide adequate conditions for curing. To facilitate proper adhesion and prevent any water from becoming trapped behind the coating, the moisture content of the substrate must not exceed the maximum allowable level indicated by the coating manufacturer.

The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) has prepared standards for surface preparation tailored for metals and concrete, while the National Park Service offers guidelines for historic masonry. Other resources, including the Sealant, Waterproofing, and Restoration Institute (SWRI), Association for Preservation Technology (APT), and ASTM International, provide further information on surface preparation for coating application.

Coating application
Coating removal products are not the only consideration for odor and impact on occupants; coatings also can have strong fumes, and application should be tested during low-occupancy hours, such as evenings and weekends. Adhesion testing, by means of peel tests and other methods, may be used to evaluate and confirm the bond between coating and substrate, as well as ease of removal and reapplication.

Once testing has been completed and the substrate prepared, the coating should be applied in overlapping segments, incorporating reinforcement, such as fiber mesh, as appropriate. Coating thickness, typically measured in mils of dry film thickness (dft), should comply with manufacturer requirements and be verified in the field. Manufacturers often supply measurement tools for this purpose.

Too thin, and the coating will provide inadequate and/or uneven coverage; too thick, and the coating is unlikely to fully cure and may be vulnerable to tears and gouges. Additionally, if not fully cured, the coating may fail to adhere completely to the substrate, leading to peeling, blistering, and other manifestations of premature breakdown.

At termination points, the design professional should provide design details for coating finishing, such as feathering onto adjacent surfaces or application of protective masking on surrounding finishes to shield against accidental—and potentially irreversible—drips or splashes.

Once application is complete, the area should be protected during curing to provide favorable ambient conditions and create an atmosphere conducive to thorough drying and optimal adhesion. Project sequencing should aim to protect freshly coated areas from adjacent dust-producing operations.

A pragmatic approach
Unless the cleaning and removal of existing coatings and the specification and application of new coatings is guided by a knowledge of material properties and appropriate techniques, permanent damage to the building may be the unintended result. Before applying a water-repellent or waterproof coating, underlying problems that could be the cause of water infiltration should be addressed, and serious consideration given to whether the coating is necessary. For historic restoration, including buildings of the Modernist era, the composition and appearance of the original paint should be closely replicated to protect the period character of the structure.

In all cases, coating selection should be guided by a long-term view of cost implications, rather than an up-front cost comparison of available products. The expense of rehabilitating an ill-conceived or poorly executed coating project can far outweigh the cost of appropriately specified, designed, and applied paints and coatings suitable for the substrate, condition, and location. Moreover, once a coating has been applied, it must be maintained, so the long-term cost of cleaning, upkeep, and eventual re-coating must be taken into consideration.

With a long history in building construction, paints and coatings are a vital and often little-considered element of the building envelope. Through thoughtful planning, research, and design, the prudent building owner or manager can enjoy the protective and aesthetic benefits that the judicious use of coatings can impart to the building exterior.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR COATING SPECIFICATION

With the rapid growth of the petrochemical industry after World War II, most standard paints and coatings began to incorporate materials derived from petroleum, which, when refined from crude oil, contains hydrogen and carbon molecules that form the long-chain macromolecules in plastics and synthetic resins. A non-renewable resource, petroleum contributes to air and water pollution as part of the extraction and refining process. As an alternative, paints and coatings manufactured from plant sources and minerals are available. Federal procurement requirements for government projects encourage the specification of biobased paints and coatings, as opposed to those from non-renewable resources like petroleum. Alternatives that are low-toxicity and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exist for most conventional paint and coating products. However, there is no standard regulatory definition for ‘low-VOC’ or ‘low-toxicity,’ and products labeled as such can still contain harmful or odorous ingredients, including ammonia, formaldehyde, odor-masking agents, and fungicides and bactericides. Water-based paints are usually safer to handle than those with organic solvents, and they can be cleaned up with water, reducing health risks to workers and occupants and minimizing (or eliminating) hazardous waste. While the performance of biobased and low-VOC products has improved over the past several years, design professionals and building owners should consider product performance data and test results when selecting any type of paint or coating, including newer environmentally conscious products. The right coating combines ecological sensitivity with performance characteristics suitable for the substrate, building, and situation.

Elizabeth A. Hnatiw, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is project architect at the Washington, D.C., area office of Hoffmann Architects Inc., an architecture and engineering firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors. With a background in material science and historic preservation, Hnatiw has expertise in the evaluation, specification, and design of coating systems as part of comprehensive building envelope rehabilitation. She may be reached at e.hnatiw@hoffarch.com[3].

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/best-practices-for-architectural-coatings/

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