Whether refurbishing a building or embarking on a new construction, powder coating doesn’t just cover windows and doors. Our introductory architects’ guide to powder coating covers many building elements, inside and out and how they benefit from the colours, low-maintenance and durability of a colour finish, professionally applied. The powder coating of architectural aluminium has for a long time been the chosen method of protecting and colouring aluminium building elements.
Architects’ guide to powder coating – introduction
Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. Unlike conventional liquid paint, which requires a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form, powder coating is typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat.
There are many powder manufacturers around the world, and their brands are the most widely used. All of these provide a durable and high-quality powder material ready for the powder coating process.
The Process of Powder Coating
The powder coating process involves several steps. First, the aluminium is pre-treated or cleaned to remove any dirt, oil, or grease. It is often sandblasted or chemically treated to provide the ideal surface for coating. After the aluminium is prepped, it is dried and ready for coating.
The dry powder is charged using an electrostatic gun or a professional powder coating booth. Either method imparts a positive electric charge to the powder, which is then sprayed towards the grounded object by mechanical or compressed air. The charged powder particles adhere to the aluminium’s surface and form a uniform layer.
After the application, the aluminium goes into a curing oven where the coating chemically reacts to produce long molecular chains, resulting in high cross-link density. These properties make the coating tough, flexible, and resistant to breakage, chemicals, and weather.
The powder coating process has strict standards and specifications. The most widely used is the Qualicoat Standard. Superior Paint and Powder Coating are Qualicoat members with strict quality control procedures.
Why Choose Powder Coating?
Powder coating offers several advantages over traditional painting. Here are a few key reasons:
- Durability: Powder-coated finishes are more resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wearing than other finishes. They stand up well to extreme weather conditions, UV exposure, and corrosion.
- Eco-friendly: Powder coatings contain no solvents and emit negligible, if any, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, making them more environmentally friendly than liquid coatings.
- Efficiency: The powder coating process is highly efficient. Any overspray can be collected and reused, minimizing waste.
- Aesthetics: The flexibility of powder allows for a wide range of finishes, including high gloss, metallic, clear, and even textures. It’s also possible to create custom colors to meet the aesthetic needs of any project.
- Cost-effective: In the long run, the durability, reduced waste, and minimal maintenance requirements make powder coating a cost-effective choice.
Architects’ guide to powder coating – conclusion
For architects, understanding the basics of powder coating is critical as the industry continues to evolve. Powder coating provides an efficient, eco-friendly, durable, and aesthetic finish for architectural aluminium, making it an attractive choice for many projects. Whether you’re designing a large and tall commercial building or a suburban home, considering powder coating as a finishing option promises to enhance your project’s durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal.
Contact us to discuss your project colour and finishing requirements.