Sherwin-Williams Coil & Extrusion Coatings

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Sherwin-Williams Coil & Extrusion Coatings

WeatherXL

Sherwin-Williams' silicone-modified polyester (SMP) coil coating for roof panels — one of the two finishes we buy. AAMA 2604.

Paint Systems & Coil Coatings · 45 colors

From the Sherwin-Williams Coil & Extrusion Coatings library

Written and published by Sherwin-Williams Coil & Extrusion Coatings, reproduced here so you can read the manufacturer's own material. It is their voice, not ours.

• Cool Metal Roof and Wall Panels: A Key Contributor to Obtaining LEED Certification

  A Key Contributor to Obtaining LEED Certification

  The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification is globally recognized as a leading symbol of sustainability achievement. It provides a blueprint for some of the most cost-saving, energy-efficient, and sustainable buildings in the world. With the USGBC's release of LEED v5 for public comment earlier this year, architects and contractors are already strategizing on the best practices for earning LEED credits. So, how can the coil and extrusion coatings specified for metal roofs and walls contribute to LEED credits?

  Coil and Extrusion Coatings and Their Role in Sustainability

  Specifying coil and extrusion coatings on the building envelope can offer many sustainability attributes. A prime example is coil coatings, which are applied in a controlled environment at a staggering 800 feet per minute, using processes that minimize waste and increase efficiency. Additionally, VOCs produced during the curing process can be captured and converted into energy for manufacturing, demonstrating the industry's dual commitment to environmental responsibility and efficiency innovation. These practices allow the industry to meet or exceed EPA standards and can even help earn LEED credits.

  Similarly, extrusion manufacturing processes have made significant strides in carbon minimization by using low-carbon primary aluminum and increasing the use of recycled materials. Furthermore, incorporating extruded sunshades and louvers not only makes buildings more energy-efficient but also qualifies for LEED credits, highlighting the industry's commitment to environmental stewardship and longevity.

  When selecting proper coil and extrusion coatings, it's essential to consider the variety of formulations available, including AAMA 2605 70% PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). PVDF coatings are known for their excellent adhesion, superior flexibility, and formability, making them ideal for long-term exposure to outdoor elements. Durability is a key benefit, as PVDF coatings resist harsh elements such as chemicals, humidity, acid rain, and salt, ensuring the building maintains its appearance over time. PVDF coatings require less maintenance than traditional paints, reducing overall upkeep costs.

  Cool Roofs and Cool Walls and Their Contribution to LEED Certification

  Solar reflective coil and extrusion coatings, also known as cool coatings, include special pigments to reflect non-visible UV wavelengths, which are responsible for unwanted solar heat gain. By reflecting more solar energy from the roof surface, the building requires less energy to cool, resulting in lower utility bills, contributing to the building's overall energy efficiency and helps mitigate the urban heat island effect.

  Cool roofs and walls play a crucial role in achieving LEED certification. They help reduce the Heat Island Effect, a phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities. By using reflective coatings on walls, the amount of heat absorbed by the building is reduced, leading to lower cooling costs and improved comfort for occupants.

  The Thaden School in Bentonville, Arkansas, is an illustrative example of industry-leading use of solar reflective coil coatings on the metal roof and wall panels. This project brings innovation and design to the forefront by achieving world-class energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment.

  The school's Reels and Wheels buildings are coated with Sherwin-Williams® Fluropon® and formulated with solar-reflective pigments that help resist heat absorption, meet U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED, and Cool Roof Rating Council program criteria, and match the green-gold metallic finish of a 1967 Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 sports car. Additionally, the finished metal panels include a specialty metallic clear topcoat to maximize sparkle and enhance color intensity.

  The use of these coatings not only provides a visually stunning finish but also helps lower energy consumption. Thaden School's project showcases the innovative use of cool roofs and cool walls to create energy-efficient educational facilities. The school's design allows students to monitor their consumption of energy, food, and water, highlighting the global impact of local behavior.

  Going beyond LEED Certification

  Obtaining LEED certification is often a goal for building owners, and there are now even more incentives from the government to invest in technologies and building products with sustainability attributes. But the financial savings don’t stop there. Cool metal roofs can save up to 40% more on heating and cooling costs compared to shingles and other roofing materials, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA).

  Additionally, a benefit of metal building products is that once the metal does need to be replaced, it can be recycled, further contributing to the sustainability attributes. Up to 90% of metal can be recyclable and has proven to be the best material for attaching solar panels on a metal roof. Metal also has a low life cycle cost, including lower maintenance and long-term durability.

  Cool metal roofs and walls can enhance energy efficiency, reduce material costs, and improve the aesthetic value of buildings. By selecting manufacturers that offer high-quality, solar reflective coil and extrusion coatings, architects and contractors can ensure that their projects meet the highest standards of sustainability and performance.

  Sourcing a LEED certified Coatings Manufacturer

  Lastly, when collaborating with partners to select coatings that enhance your project's overall LEED score, the following criteria will be helpful.

  Product Certification and Compliance: Ensure that the coatings provider offers products that meet LEED standards and are certified by relevant authorities, such as the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), or the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Verify that their products contribute to LEED credits in categories like energy efficiency, material and resource use, and indoor environmental quality.

  Sustainability Commitment: Look for providers with a strong commitment to sustainability, including practices like reducing VOC emissions, using recycled materials, and minimizing environmental impact during the production process. A provider that prioritizes practices demonstrates a broader dedication to sustainability beyond just their products.

  Range of Products: Choose a provider that offers a wide range of coatings with different properties, such as solar reflectivity, durability and color offerings. This variety ensures that you can find a solution tailored to your specific project needs, whether it's for roofing, walls, or other architectural elements.

  Technical Support and Expertise: Select a provider that offers strong technical support and expertise. This includes guidance on product selection, application techniques, and understanding how their products contribute to achieving LEED credits. A knowledgeable provider can help you navigate the complexities of LEED certification and ensure optimal results.

  Case Studies and References: Review case studies and work directly with the coatings provider to review project requirements and sustainability goals. This collaboration streamlines the process of product specification. Additionally, coatings providers can provide resources for LEED certification.

• Bringing it Home: Coated Metal Exteriors Are on the Rise in Residential America

  In recent years, metal panels and roofs have steadily migrated from the typical buildings they have been used on to residential projects, bringing along their many aesthetic and practical features.

  Building with metal is a routine practice throughout the industrialized world, especially when it comes to commercial developments. Between downtown office buildings and sports arenas, to rural factories and equipment sheds, structures featuring metal paneling and roofs coated in a high-performance PVDF coating are commonplace. However, this union between specific building types and construction medium is no longer exclusive.

  In recent years, metal panels and roofs have steadily migrated from the typical buildings they have been used on to residential projects, bringing along their many aesthetic and practical features. Not only do coated metal panels provide a sleek and modern exterior, they are also low maintenance, more impervious to fire than tradition building materials, and are incredibly durable against the elements. PVDF coatings also provide their own set of features, including exceptional protection against dirt and stains, resistance to chalking and fading, and supreme color retention that helps preserve a home’s visual brilliance.

  Just like the construction process that backs an urban skyscraper, extensive planning and design must go into erecting residential homes, and can involve many of the same concepts, including the use of coated metal. That very process recently transpired in the lush hills of Takoma Park, where a home purchased by builder Alan Kanner underwent a dramatic, full-scale remodel. Working alongside McInturff Architects to revamp the property, Kanner drafted plans for an added story, 900 square-feet of extra living space and an exterior design concept that was not only boldly unique, but also incredibly functional.

  Adorning the building’s new façade are metal panels running both horizontally and vertically, coated in a steely black PVDF architectural coating. The duality of the metal panels provides a magnetic visual for the modern home, and is further emphasized by the vibrant pigments in the coating. Although defining component of the exterior aesthetic, black metal was also selected to function as a backdrop for a palette of accent colors chosen by McInturff that were inspired by paintings in artist Richard Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park Series.

  Highlighting several areas of the home, including the windows, balcony and awning, various shades of blue, red, yellow and teal bring the full flavor of the home to life. Now several years old, the exterior metal panels continue to draw the eyes of neighbors and visitors. Not only does the striking black coating offer the perfect canvas for the Diebenkorn-influenced colors to stand out, it also provides exceptional durability features, including leading protection against dirt and stains, and resistance to chalking and fading. Coated metal is extremely easy to take care of as well, and can be cleaned with a simple washing of soap and water. Additionally, certain coatings provide resistance to ultraviolet rays, which help keep the interiors of homes cool and save on energy costs.

  The Kanner residence is just one example of the many residential homes that are now turning to coated metal as an exterior building material. Although the unique striation of metal panels functions as a modern design concept for the Kanner residence, many residential homes that build with metal panels feature the material in a more traditional method for both siding and roofs. Recently in Indiana, the owner of Ramco Supply set out to build a new home and selected metal panels to don his roof, coated in a solar reflective PVDF coating to keep the interior cool. In Ohio, Paul Gantt selected Valspar’s WeatherXL Crinkle Finish in Burnished Slate and Light Stone to coat the metal panels on the sides and roof of his new 42-foot by 64-foot storage facility. Gantt selected metal and PVDF coating not only for the visual appearance, but also for their diverse set of functional properties.

  With its unique visual offerings, durability and energy-saving features, don’t be surprised if the next home that goes up in your neighborhood has an extra steely appearance.

• The Complete Guide to PVDF Coatings

  Monumental architecture uses PVDF coatings to protect exterior metal building products and preserve vivid colors. Learn how the formula earned worldwide trust.

  Explore Topics on PVDF Architectural Coatings

  What are 70% PVDF Coatings?

  • The Rigorous Testing Behind PVDF
  • Benefits of PVDF Coil & Extrusion
  • PVDF Coating Process for Coil & Extrusion
  • How PVDF is Manufactured
  • Case Study: Clad the Pavillion
  • The Role of Pigments in PVDF
  • Beyond PVDF Metal Coatings

  Today, metal coatings come in all colors, textures and patterns, and as companies continue to create innovative and technologically advanced solutions, it is no surprise the foundation of their success stems from PVDF resin-based coatings. No matter what part of the country you live in or what your profession is, chances are PVDF coatings are a part of your life without you even knowing. From barns and storage sheds, to arenas and skyscrapers, exterior metal paneling all throughout the world is clad with PVDF coating. So, what are PVDF coatings and how have they become a staple in the industry?

  What are PVDF coatings?

  Expand to read moreabout What are PVDF coatings?

  • Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF)
  • /noun: the fluoropolymer resin used in exterior metal coatings for durability and resistance to weathering

  Originally introduced to the market in 1965, 70 percent polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) coatings have steadily become one of the most popular and respected coil and extrusion coatings available on the market.

  Over the last half-century, no other architectural product has more decisively withstood the test of time than 70 percent PVDF resin-based coatings. Continuous technological improvements have contributed to the longevity of PVDF, resulting in additional formulations and practices for applications that have distinct requirements.

  To develop these high-performance PVDF coatings, manufacturers created unique formulations composed of resins, pigments, solvents and additives. Widely produced by various manufacturers, PVDF coatings are branded with an assortment of trademarked names, such as Fluropon, which often makes it difficult for industry outsiders to tell coating manufacturers and resin manufacturers apart. Furthermore, despite coatings from different manufacturers often containing similar PVDF resins, the application and performance of the paint systems can vary because of the proprietary formulations of each company.

  Two of the most widely recognized brands of PVDF resins in the U.S. are Hylar® by Solvay Solexis and Kynar® by Arkema Inc. Both offer comparable performance per industry standards for weathering.

  Leading coating manufacturers continue to develop unique formulations that meet the growing demands and creative applications of architects, developers and construction companies. More recent innovations include energy-efficient, solar-reflective and color-changing coatings, as well as enhanced application properties and more reliable color consistency.

  Benefits of PVDF Coil and Extrusion Coatings

  PVDF coated metal panels are trusted worldwide to clad monumental architecture. But this industry-leading reputation didn’t happen overnight.

  Expand to read moreabout Benefits of PVDF Coil and Extrusion Coatings

  PVDF paints have proven their ability to provide long-lasting color retention and durable resistance against weathering and abrasions. These two benefits have led architects and designers around the world to choose PVDF coatings to protect their metal architecture. Additional benefits include:

  • Outstanding Color Retention

  Inorganic pigments combine with premium resins to determine the color, vibrancy, durability and aesthetic quality of a finished coating. Pigments are the key ingredient in coatings that make it possible to create any color imaginable for metal architecture.

  Film Integrity and Coating Adhesion Quality

  One of the defining features of PVDF coatings, are their erosion rate, or the amount of time at which a coating degrades. The erosion rates of PVDF coatings are relatively small, an essential factor for their advanced color and design longevity. The quality of PVDF coating adhesion depends on the superiority of the primer that adheres to the substrate. The primer is meant to create a strong bond with the PVDF topcoat, which helps resist the stresses of forming and weathering

  UV Resistance

  Of any polymer used within coatings today, PVDF coatings are the leaders when it comes to UV resistance, delivering an eco-friendly way to resist heat absorption from the sun. PVDF coatings not only help lower energy cooling costs and keep interior spaces more comfortable, but do so without sacrificing durability, performance or beauty.

  Gloss Ranges

  Gloss ranges refer to the sheen or glossiness of a paint finish. Metal coatings come in a range of gloss options ideal for different applications. Most PVDF formulas use a standard gloss level.

  Chalk and Fade Resistance

  In order to ensure protection against chalking and fading, the correct formulation is crucial. Carbon-fluorine bonds are one of the strongest chemical bonds available. It’s this mix of ingredients that gives PVDF paints their stubborn resistance to chalking and erosion, as well as harsh airborne industrial and atmospheric pollutants.

  As we can see from the list above, PVDF coatings have many benefits that make them a perfect choice to protect metal building products and give architecture a vibrant finish long into the future.

  How PVDF Coatings are Manufactured

  To achieve the many durability and aesthetic benefits of PVDF coated architecture, manufacturers create unique formulations, which include a mixture of resins, solvents, pigments and additives.

  Expand to read moreabout How PVDF Coatings are Manufactured

  15% Pigments - Provide color & chemical resistance.

  • 35% Resin - the binder holding the pigment to the substrate & providing weather resistance
  • 55% Solvents - The vehicle by which the solids are tranported to the substrate
  • Resins

  Resins are the principal component that determines the appearance, durability and performance of a coating and serve as the binder that forms the paint film. Common resin names outside of PVDF coatings are fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE), silicone-modified polyester (SMP), vinyl-coated polyester, (PVC) and Polyester.

  Solvents

  Solvents are used to thin a coating mixture’s consistency in order for it to be properly applied. Solvents steadily evaporate during the curing process as the resin system adheres to the substrate.

  Pigments

  Pigments not only add the color and visual features to a coating, but they also influence its durability. The quality of pigments contributes to a coating’s ability to retain its color.

  Additives

  Additives are used for processing pigments within the film, flow and smoothness, regulating the rate of the cure, and enhancing the coating’s hardness, gloss, mar resistance and other performance features.

  Many variations of resin-based coatings exist, but PVDF paints always use a combination of the above ingredients in various quantities, depending on the end use of the coating.

  The Role of Pigments in PVDF Architectural Coatings

  Resins, solvents, and additives are imperative for coatings to function correctly, but pigments are the ingredient that make the biggest impact on color and final aesthetic.

  Expand to read moreabout The Role of Pigments in PVDF Architectural Coatings

  Pigments come in various forms – inorganic (ceramic), organic and pearlescent or metalescent. These three variations of pigments comprise the majority of coating formulations, and can determine the color, vibrancy, durability and aesthetic quality of a finished product.

  Organic Pigments

  Organic pigments provide bright and vivid colors, but they have low resistance to fading and weather poorly when used on their own. These pigments are carbon-based, made from petroleum compounds and are more expensive than inorganic pigments. Despite offering dynamic colors, organic pigments provide less protection from the elements, and due to their heightened opacity, allow ultraviolet light and oxygen to penetrate, breaking chemical bonds.

  Inorganic Pigments

  Inorganic pigments are widely used because their colors are more stable to light and heat, and they do not bleed. Inorganic pigments are manufactured from mineral compounds and are less expensive than organic pigments. Although they can last for many years, most coatings that are comprised primarily of inorganic pigments offer fewer bright colors and consist mostly of earth tones. Historically, bright inorganic pigments existed, but they contained lead and cadmium, which are rarely used today due to toxicity concerns.

  Pearlescent or Metalescent Pigments

  Pearlescent or metalescent pigments are mainly composed of minuscule flakes of aluminum, natural mica or synthetic mica-like material. These pigments add depth and sparkle to a finish, and can even shift in color contingent upon the lighting and from what angle a viewer takes while looking at the coating.

  Many coating innovations and colors are created through the modification of these pigments and additional coating ingredients. For example, solar reflective (SR) coatings contain solar-reflective pigments, offering durability that resists heat absorption without sacrificing performance or color. In light of such advancements, several categories of innovation make PVDF coatings stand out in the manufacturing process.

  The Rigorous Testing Process Behind PVDF Paint for Metal

  To ensure these coating formulations live up to expectations, scientists must place performance above all else.

  • Expand to read moreabout The Rigorous Testing Process Behind PVDF Paint for Metal
  • Real-World Testing

  This is why Sherwin-Williams’ Fort Meyers testing site is so important to the development of new coating formulations.

  Known as the “test-fence” by employees, this site provides the ability to measure the weathering of every color and coating formulation over time. Coated metal panels are placed on inclined open racks orientated at the sun, usually at a 45 degree angle facing south for maximum exposure to UV light.

  Whether environmental conditions include ultraviolet rays, humidity, salt spray, corrosion or more, the site offers a literal perfect storm for testing the performance of coating longevity and various pigment formulations.

  Accelerated Testing

  In addition to real-world testing with the test fence, coating formulas are put through accelerated testing in labs. With this method, special environmental cabinets and instruments are used to speed up the weathering process and measure its effects under extreme conditions

  PVDF Coating Process for Coil and Extrusion

  PVDF resin-based coatings are available in both coil and extrusion forms. Each type has specific uses for architectural metal building products.

• When Aesthetics Aren't the End Goal - Coatings That Last

  From color and texture to sustainable features, today’s design options are endless.

  From color and texture to sustainable features, today’s design options are endless. This is especially true within the architecture industry, as innovative and advanced technologies are allowing buildings to show off more personality than ever.

  Specifically within this industry, coating manufacturers are constantly providing new and improved coating options and formulations that offer a variety of colors and effects. With these options, businesses and buildings in industries across the board are able to achieve a unique design goal — whether it’s increasing a brand identity or attracting new visitors.

  A Natural Aesthetic

  The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication at Arizona State University cuts a striking figure in downtown Phoenix. The boxy building features the exterior architectural coating colors of Colonial Red, Terra Cotta and Copper Penny — all specifically selected to match the nearby desert. The color design was also selected to mimic the FCC’s radio spectrum chart — helping the building both fit in with its surroundings and tell a story about its purpose.

  A Cohesive Aesthetic

  Chaffin Junior High School wanted to spark creativity and innovation with its massive renovation in 2014. Matching the school’s colors and creating a distinctive appearance and entrance, the coating colors Gold Watch, Harvest Gold Seawolf, Coronado Red and Dark Green were used across the front of the building.

  A Bold Aesthetic

  Bold colors don’t often come to mind when picturing copper mines. In an effort to provide a cost-effective yet highly visible design, the builders of the Caserones and Sierra Gorda mines in Chile took an unconventional approach and coated the dome-like structures in a bright green color to help the structures stand out, even in snow.

  A Cheerful Aesthetic

  Summer camp is a cherished tradition for many families, giving kids an outlet to connect with new friends, learn new skills and enjoy the great outdoors. But for children with life-threatening illnesses, this tradition is one among many that can fall by the wayside, taking a backseat to medical appointments and health concerns. The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky helps children experience the same feelings from summer camp while being near the onsite care facility. The facilities feature a white building with a metal roof finished in a vibrant blue exterior architectural coating that stands out against the surrounding green acres. The white and blue combo was selected because it provides a cheerful, happy and crisp aesthetic, showing in a very visual way the happiness provided by this facility.

  A Changing Aesthetic

  The revitalization of the Exploration Tower at Florida’s Space Coast and Canaveral Cove coincided with the Port’s 60th anniversary. Taking cues from the shapes and hues of the port, a seven-story sail-shaped structure was developed to express the common characteristics of “transience, function and imagery.” A chameleon-like mica coating was spray-applied to the exterior of the structure, contributing to a constant sense of movement as the sun plays across the structure — causing a shift in color and exposing an iridescent-like skin.

  A Lasting Aesthetic

  An Arkansas homeowner, who works within the architectural industry, knew he wanted a metal roof for his home because of its added durability and fewer required repairs. To achieve added protection, he chose to apply an architectural metal coating with a crinkle finish to the metal roof panels. This coating further protects exterior metal panels from harsh environmental elements and offers resistance to abrasion, chipping and marring. In addition, not only does the crinkle finish hide any imperfections in the roof, it also provides the home with a unique appearance, different from most other options on the market.

  Although the range of design opportunities already seem endless, it’s important for coating manufacturers to continuously provide new and innovative choices to our customers, in order to help them achieve their desired sustainability, durability and aesthetic goals.

  Jeff Alexander has been with Valspar for 19 years and currently serves as the Vice President of Sales for the company’s Coil and Extrusion Businesses. He is also a past president of the National Coil Coating Association.

  Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 1, 2017. Valspar was acquired by The Sherwin-Williams Company on June 1, 2017.

  • The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication, photo courtesy of Metal Sales
  • Chaffin Junior High School
  • Caserones and Sierra Gorda Mines
  • The Center for Courageous Kids, photo courtesy of Petersen Aluminum
  • Explortation Tower at Port Canaveral
  • Batterton House
• How Solar Reflective Coatings Enhance Design and Sustainability

  Solar reflective coatings are an excellent choice for reducing energy consumption and costs in buildings while tapping their creative outlet.

  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2023 was the hottest year on record. With climate change impacting temperatures across the planet, it is no longer a trend that can be ignored. When it comes to facilities, property owners must wrestle with ways to balance occupant comfort and energy costs.

  One way to contribute to the balance is through solar reflective coatings for metal roofing and wall panel systems. These increasingly popular coatings contain solar reflective (SR) and thermal emittance (TE) pigments that reflect infrared radiation while still absorbing visible light, resulting in a cooler coating and roof. However, factors to consider when designing with solar reflective metal coatings include color, location, and sustainability goals.

  Why solar reflective coatings?

  The benefits behind solar reflective coatings, also known as cool coatings, lie in their sustainability attributes. One leading benefit of solar reflective coatings is their ability to reduce the building’s life cycle impact by minimizing the heat island effect and improving roof emissivity. This is coupled with the coating’s exceptional resistance to natural elements such as sun, rain, and UV rays, as well as marring, chalking, and fading. The flexibility and formability of these coatings make them an excellent choice for various coil and extrusion applications, providing outstanding color consistency and proven durability.

  Additionally, implementing solar reflective coatings helps earn LEED credits for roofing and wall panels. LEED credits, or status, are awarded to buildings that prioritize environmental sustainability and are built with longevity and efficiency at the forefront. LEED credits also help earn tax rebates, saving hundreds of dollars a year for homeowners and businesses.

  Solar reflective pigments and design

  Color considerations play a crucial role when selecting a solar reflective coating. Incorporating solar reflective pigments can create a visually dynamic facade and help dissipate heat away from metal components, creating a cooler building. There are some crucial points to consider.

  Light and mid-tone colors have been shown to have the best performance when it comes to solar reflectivity, making them ideal for roofs and walls. A current trend in the industry is a movement away from stark, dark colors for metal coatings. For example, dark blacks are lightening up to soft charcoals, typically in roofing, which ultimately improves Solar Reflective Index (SRI) values. The SRI is an indicator of the ability of a roof surface to return solar energy to the atmosphere. Coatings with added solar reflective pigments can increase the reflectivity value in darker colors, allowing designers to use a broader range of colors while still achieving the desired level of reflectivity.

  Lastly, the color palettes for solar reflective coatings are vast thanks to progress made in pigment manufacturing technologies. Today’s metal roofing and wall panel color options include a wide range of solar-reflecting paints and coatings, which can be used to create cool beiges, tans, grays, blacks, greens, blues, mauves, browns, and terracotta.

  The significant impact of color in shaping the built environment

  Color has been shown to have a major effect on the aesthetics, public impression, and perception of a building, which is why color selection has become a growing priority when designing a project. Color has the potential to leave a landmark, shape an architectural signature, and develop a sense of identity for many homeowners and businesses.

  Color can elevate a building into a cultural icon, impacting the perception of its success. The decision to use specific colors can enhance, distract, complement, or contrast with its wider surroundings. Trend forecasting plays a large role in determining the color spaces of various building product segments and regions. Coatings manufacturers are at the forefront of this trend forecasting, working directly with architects, designers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to collaborate on the future colors and technologies driving the built environment forward.

  Conclusion

  Solar reflective coatings are an excellent choice for reducing energy consumption and costs in buildings while tapping their creative outlet. Color plays a vital role in design, and incorporating solar-reflective pigments can help achieve the desired level of reflectivity while still using a broader range of colors. When specifying a metal coating system with SR pigments, it is essential to consider both the function and aesthetics of the formulation and consult with a coatings expert to ensure the best option for each product on the project. By doing so, architects and designers can create a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing building that meets the needs of both the client and the environment.

• Custom Collaboration - How a Custom Coating is Brought to Life

  Color in architecture is bigger than ever, and there’s a strong “why” behind that choice. Color carries emotion, and for businesses, choosing the right color can directly help sell products and services, and truly inspire visitors of a building.

  Color in architecture is bigger than ever, and there’s a strong “why” behind that choice. Color carries emotion, and for businesses, choosing the right color can directly help sell products and services, and truly inspire visitors of a building.

  Today, there are endless amounts of color options provided by coating manufacturers, and a large amount of research goes into the development of new coating colors. Color experts are able to provide insight on not only what colors are on the rise of popularity, but the reason behind that rise. Manufacturers are also collecting market research regarding color selection to help understand trends, promote conversations with customers and pave the way for new colors and even custom creations.

  Custom Has Benefits

  Going a step beyond the trendy color options, customized colors are also being developed to help architects bring a particular vision to life. A few benefits of this approach are having the ability to create a unique and lasting impression on the building’s exterior, and to portray or mimic specific materials that tend to be expensive. For example, weathered steel is a popular architectural material thanks to its iconic dappled appearance — yet it’s usually cost-prohibitive for most projects. Custom coatings can be color matched to different reference materials to help provide the same look and feel as if the actual materials were being used.

  Here are few projects where the process of choosing a customized color coating is showcased.

  A Monumental Design

  As an iconic and important landmark for the nation, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture needed to convey a memorable and long-lasting impression. Not only is it a part of the well-known and respected Smithsonian Institution, it occupies the last available spot on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In order to reflect the design of 19th-century ironwork by enslaved craftsmen in Charleston and New Orleans, 3,600 customized, bronze-colored, cast-aluminum panels were created for the exterior of the building. Each panel was hand painted in order to show depth and dimension, and these custom color shades – African Sunset, African Sunrise and African Rose – conveyed the look of real bronze, which was the ultimate goal for the design team

  A Building that Never Sleeps

  Designing a new building on the Vegas Strip that stands out from the crowd is an ambitious undertaking — one that held true for the new T-Mobile Arena. As the largest arena ever built in Las Vegas, the design mission from the start was to bring the opposing aspects of the flashy Vegas Strip and the muted earth tones of the desert to a connected point in the exterior design aesthetic. To achieve this, Populous — the assigned architect — knew they would need top of the line products and very specific shades. They worked with Valspar to identify three custom base colors — Flaxen Gold, Titan Gold and Chestnut — and used those as starting points to create the project’s custom color portfolio, consisting of nine varying shades. The custom coatings were added to the exterior metal panels and positioned in a visually stimulating pattern, some viewers even referencing the coating as copper skin.

  Standing Out in the Crowd

  New building projects in the dense city of Chicago have very limited space to make a mark, and the new Hilton Garden Inn had tough competition. With the desire to standout, the architects were inspired by the Chicago River system and hoped to create custom colors that would embody the image of sunlight reflecting off of the water. Five custom grey shades were developed — Midnight Blue, Stonewall, Sabre Gray, Sleigh Bells and Horizon — to serve as this abstract representation and were brought to life through a combined effort. GREC Architects used images of pixelated glints of sunshine, colorful mosaic tiles, and modern art throughout the inspiration and design process and worked with the coating manufacturer’s development team to create the perfect shades.

  Regardless of the process and end goal, color selection is a careful and sometimes tedious collaboration between the architect and the coating manufacturer. Thankfully, in the end, the final project showcasing its one-of-a-kind exterior coating is always worth the hard work.

  Jeff Alexander has been with Sherwin-Williams for 19 years and currently serves as the Vice President of Sales for the company’s Coil and Extrusion Businesses. He is also a past president of the National Coil Coating Association.

  Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 2, 2017. Valspar was acquired by The Sherwin-Williams Company on June 1, 2017.

• More Than Just Color, Coatings Add Resistance & Durability to Metal Buildings In Any Location

  Nowadays, coatings come in nearly every color imaginable, not to mention new aesthetic treatments. Manufacturers are able to create patterns, textures and color-shifting finishes that provide architects with a diverse portfolio to select a product from for their next masterpiece. However, a superior coating will go further than just achieving a desired aesthetic.

  Nowadays, coatings come in nearly every color imaginable, not to mention new aesthetic treatments. Manufacturers are able to create patterns, textures and color-shifting finishes that provide architects with a diverse portfolio to select a product from for their next masterpiece. However, a superior coating will go further than just achieving a desired aesthetic — it will increase the durability of a structure, as well, and provide expert resistance to harmful elements in high-stress environments. When considering how to protect against harsh weather conditions, be sure to consider both metal building product location as well as coating composition.

  Building Location

  Mother Nature knows no bounds and her wrath can be devastating to infrastructure. The good thing is, you have options for protection against the elements in any environment when it comes to coatings. Manufacturers understand that you have many things to consider, like the damaging effects of sunlight and harsh rays on a building, depending on the location of the metal building product. To address these concerns, as well as cost, coatings are composed with different resins.

  Coating Composition

  Resins serve as the binder that forms the paint film and determines the durability, appearance and performance of the coating, in addition to the level of weather-resistance. Different coatings contain different formulations and some are better suited for specific applications than others.

  Polyester: Polyester resins are known for their flexibility and adhesion properties. A more cost effective coating, you can expect outstanding color consistency and resistance to dirt and stains, however they are best used in areas that will not see full sun, like gutter systems or interior metal cladding.

  Silicone-Modified Polyester: The next step up in resistance, silicone-modified polyester coatings are heralded for their tremendous gloss retention and ability to stand up to harsher weather conditions. These coatings, which are a great choice for metal roof and wall panels, offer a better resistance to UV-rays, while still protecting against abrasions, chipping and marring.

  PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride): The most widely known resin in the coating industry, PVDF-based finishes provide high levels of resistance to weathering, chalking and marring. If you are looking for extreme durability and weather resistance, look for a coating with a high-percentage PVDF resin. For instance, a 70 percent PVDF coating blended with an acrylic resin will stand up to full sun exposure without sacrificing aesthetic. PVDF coatings are widely used, not only on metal roof and wall panels, but on framing for curtain walls, windows, skylights and entrance systems, louvers and grills, soffits, fascia and mullions.

  Coating manufacturers know their products are more than just the color. Creating durable coatings is an essential facet of the formulation process. R&D teams across the globe strive to maintain the benefits of their flagship coating lines while also increasing durability and resistance properties. As you look around to find the best fit for your next project, be mindful that a coating can provide durability and sustainability as well as contributing to the ultimate colorful design aesthetic.

  By: Jeff Alexander, VP of Sales, Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings

• How to Select the Right Metal Coatings

  Metal coatings are engineered to deliver durability and protection against the elements for exterior metal building components. Learn more about how to select the right metal coatings for your application.

  Three questions to answer when choosing the right metal coatings for your next coil project

  Metal coatings are engineered for performance and aesthetic capabilities to maintain the integrity of metal – one of the most important materials in architecture. Left uncoated, metal is susceptible to the elements and can eventually degrade. Metal coatings prevent degradation by providing a durable barrier that extends the overall lifespan of the metal substrate.

  Choosing the right metal coatings for a metal building product or project largely depends on the environment in which the product and structure will live, but before the application stage, architects, product manufacturers and OEM-specifiers should ask themselves the following questions.

  1.       What is the coating application – coil or extrusion?

  Selecting the right metal coating system for your project depends on the type of metal substrate and its end-use. For example, are you fabricating metal roofing made of Galvalume® or aluminum windows?

  The end-use denotes the type of coating application – coil or extrusion. The biggest difference between coil and extrusion coatings is how and when they are applied. Coil coatings are applied to coiled sheets of metal before they are formed, while extrusion coatings are spray applied after the aluminum extrusion has been formed.

  The product application is highly important when choosing the right metal coating, as each coating is formulated to fit each unique use.

  Both methods are applied in-factory by approved applicators.

  • Coil Coatings: applied to flat sheets of metal in a continuous process - pre-painted
  • Extrusion Coatings: Aluminum profile is extruded and coatings are applied after fabrication

  2.       What performance properties must the metal coatings achieve?

  If you’re trying to achieve extreme weatherability, flexibility/formability or damage resistance, the type of resin you choose will be critical. Think of resins as the ingredient that binds coating formulas together. Resins determine a metal coating’s overall performance, and there are multiple options for coil and extrusion applications.

  Although polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) resins are used globally for monumental architectural projects, there are many different types including fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE), silicone-modified polyester (SMP) and vinyl-coated polyester (PVC) and polyester – all of which can affect your choice for your specific application or project.

  • PVDF Coatings
  • Polyvinylidene fluoride

  High-performance coatings that add vivid color and proven durability to metal architecture.

  • Brand: Fluropon
  • FEVE Coatings
  • Fluoroethylene vinyl ether

  An exceptional coating that adds depth of color and high gloss, with special effects.

  • Brand: Illumipon
  • SMP Coatings
  • Silicone-modified polyester

  A durable coating that provides a harder finish for applications in tough conditions.

  • Brand: WeatherXL
  • Polyester Coatings
  • Polyester
  • Customization meets innovation with this all-purpose coating for building components
  • Brand: PolyPREMIER

  3.       Which approvals or certifications must the metal coating meet?

  With multiple organizations and programs surrounding building products, like the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International), Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and the U.S. Green Building Council (LEED), it can be difficult to keep up with all of the regulations and compliances. Identify the certifications and ensure the metal coatings you choose to meet the project specifications.

  The three questions above cover the basics, but there are many additional factors to consider when choosing metal coatings for your coil project.

  To learn more about selecting the right metal coatings for your next coil project, contact us.

  • Weatherability Matters
  • PDF
  • 8 MB
• Overviews, Use Cases & Differentiators: An Explanation of Resin-Based Coatings in Metal Architecture

  PVDF resins aren’t the only option for creating exterior metal coatings. Resin-based coatings can use PVC, polyester, SMP, or FEVE resins to achieve different color consistency, durability and overall coating performance.

  Welcome to the wild world of coatings, where colors are limitless and formulas are custom-created.

  PVDF resin-based coatings often take the spotlight because they are used worldwide to clad monumental architecture. This can include metal facades of sports stadiums, museums, hospitals and the like. PVDF coatings are defined by their use of polyvinylidene difluoride—one of the most durable resins available, which makes it effective for protecting exterior metal architecture from environmental conditions.

  But PVDF coatings are only one type of resin-based coating. When we start to consider the different types of resins available to manufacturers, coatings for metal building products become a lot more complex.

  In addition to PVDF resins, coating formulas can include the following resins, each one with its own specific use cases:

  • Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE)
  • Silicone-modified polyester (SMP)
  • Vinyl-coated polyester (PVC)
  • Polyester

  The question is not necessarily which resin is the best, but rather, which coating formula is the right choice for my specific application.

  This is where you can lean on the lab experts. Coating manufacturers not only develop unique coating formulas, but their teams continue to test and perfect coating performance over the course of several decades.

  This article will walk you through the fundamentals of each resin type and their ideal use cases.

  What Are FEVE coatings?

  Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) coatings provide exceptional color and gloss retention. For higher end projects, FEVE coatings can bring superior depth of color, high gloss levels and special effects to the final aesthetic. FEVE coatings provide a hard finish, making them best suited for higher-gloss applications in bright colors.

  With great flexibility, formability and overall adhesion, FEVE coatings are often used for the following applications:

  • Restaurants
  • Banks
  • Car dealerships
  • Gas stations
  • Schools
  • Corporate facilities
  • Architectural structures
  • Composite panels
  • Column covers
  • Canopies
  • Doors
  • Metal panel systems

  What Are SMP Coatings?

  Silicone-modified polyester (SMP) coatings are used for applications that endure tough conditions such as industrial or agricultural environments. These coatings are manufactured by reacting silicone into polyester to provide a harder finish and strengthen the coating’s overall performance. Because of this, SMP resin-based coatings provide great weathering and chalk and fade retention.SMP coatings are available in a wide palette of colors and solar reflective coating formulations.

  They are typically used in applications such as:

  • Commercial and residential metal roofing
  • Agricultural and industrial metal building components
  • Metal wall panels
  • Pre-engineered building systems
  • Siding
  • Gutters

  What Are PVC Coatings?

  Vinyl-coated polyester (PVC) coatings are a cost-effective option to finish metal building products that experience high exposure to factors that lead to degradation. This can include UV light, abrasion, acid rain and humidity. PVC coatings provide durability against wear and tear in harsh conditions.

  PVC coatings are known for great flexibility, formability and overall adhesion. Typical uses include:

  • Building accessories
  • Wall panels
  • Window trim
  • Animal confinement building

  What Are Polyester Coatings?

  Polyester coatings are best suited for metal building products that don’t see full sun. These custom formulas come in a wide range of colors and offer great weathering and corrosion resistance.

  Polyester coatings are a more economical option for general purpose coatings. They offer great flexibility and adhesion properties. Ideal exterior uses for polyester coatings include:

  • Soffits and Fascia
  • Entry and Garage Doors
  • Gutters
  • Sheds
  • Residential air conditioners
  • Mobile homes
  • Truck trailers
  • Sign blank stock
  • Curtain rods
  • Canopies
  • Awnings
  • Enclosures

  Exterior coatings may be known for bringing bold colors to metal architecture, but it’s clear that coatings provide a lot more than color alone.

  The custom-created formulas that make up coatings determine their flexibility, formability, and overall adhesion.

  Developing coatings that protect monumental architecture is no small feat. These resin-based coatings continuously go through research and development, testing over the course of decades. Our lab examines the details of any project at hand to advise on the best coating option for your specific challenge.

  Scroll through real color swatches in our online color library of more than 50,000 colors.

• Heating Up: Architectural Metal Tones

  Similar to interior design and industrial sectors, color forecasts in residential and commercial architecture show metal products evolving toward warmer tones.

  Metal-toned coatings allow designers to mimic real metal in their designs, down to the finest detail. Create the eye-catching sparkle of silver, simulate a copper finish or provide a bronze metallic effect with long-lasting metal finishes.

  As technologies evolve and preferences shift, metal tones adapt to the needs of architects and designers. Forecasts show metal coatings moving into warmer tones, similar to movements in residential, industrial and commercial design.

  Metal tones 101

  In design, tones are categorized as warm, cool or neutral. Available in a spectrum of colors that extend beyond gold, silver and bronze, metal-inspired tones can fall into any of these categories. Popular tones in the market also include brass, copper, steel, silver and nickel, zinc, blackened steel and anodized.

  The evolution of metal tones

  Cool metal tones have commanded the building products space in recent years. This has been a recurring element in the broader design world, from stainless-steel appliances to cool gray flooring and interiors. However, recent forecasts show interiors shifting toward warmer, dustier hues. Exterior architecture is adopting warm metal tones, with finishes of champagne, soft gold and satin gold entering the market in place of their cool counterparts.

  Color and tone naturally shift with new technologies and design preferences. For building products, new capabilities in color and effects allow designers to emulate metal more precisely than ever before. Additionally, as consumers adopt warm hues for their wall paint, flooring, cabinetry and even jewelry, color trends trickle into residential and commercial architecture.

  Tools to prepare for emerging tones

  At Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, we research societal and industry influences to prepare architects and product manufacturers for these color movements. We then publish our analyses in highly informative color forecasts.

  Our color forecasting distills into segmented color collections to provide a variety of finishes and effects for metal coatings. We also develop building products color lookbooks, which organize coating solutions into subsequent markets and specific building products.

  In addition to these tools, our color experts offer in-depth, on-demand support. No matter your endeavors in color and effects, our sales representatives are equipped to answer your questions and provide strategic solutions for any project.

  Let's Talk

  Where will metal tones take you? Contact a Sherwin-Williams color expert to learn more about our colors, effects and forecasting.

  Expand to read moreabout Let's Talk

• Evaluating the Performance of Metal Coatings

  Metal coatings undergo rigorous real-world and accelerated testing to prove their durability and color retention when applied to metal building products.

  Our 6.25-acre test fence takes creating the perfect storm to a new level.

  This real-world test site in Fort Myers, Florida provides exposure to a mix of harsh elements, so coated metal panels can experience natural weathering over time. With more than 100,000 sample metal panels—the oldest one from 1968—the test fence is an industry-leading site for evaluating the performance of exterior coatings for metal building products.

  Why go through so much time and effort to study metal coatings? In one word, innovation.

  The coatings used on metal architecture today need to be durable, vibrant and long-lasting, in addition to meeting governing standards such as American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). Manufacturers continue to evolve their coating formulas to provide even greater longevity and more options for colors and finishes.

  The only way innovation like this can happen is through rigorous testing processes.

  Real-World and Accelerated Testing for Metal Coatings

  Ultraviolet light, heat and moisture can all damage coated metal panels—but it’s the combination of these three elements that accelerates the damage of resin-based coatings on metal panels.

  The test fence provides intense exposure to UV rays, heat and humidity, creating an ideal scenario for real-world testing. The coated panels sit on inclined open racks aimed at a 45-degree angle toward the sun.

  With a strategic mix of coating formulas, colors, and substrates, our lab can evaluate the long-term performance of metal coatings, continually enhancing formulas and bringing new innovations to market.

  While real-world testing provides concrete results, it’s the combination of real-world testing and accelerated testing that created the high standard of resin-based coatings available today. Accelerated testing involves special environmental cabinets and instruments that are used to speed up the weathering process and measure its effects under extreme conditions.

  Both types of testing play an important role in evaluating the performance of metal coatings to ensure reliable retention long into the future.

  Testing Criteria for Metal Coatings

  Metal coatings are tested for a variety of criteria to ensure durability and color retention including:

  • Chalking
  • Blistering
  • Cracking/flaking
  • Fading

  Metal panels experience many kinds of abrasions during the manufacturing and installation processes. Because of this, it’s essential that resin-based coatings protect metal building products during inevitable wear and tear such as withstanding bending and shaping during fabrication.

  Common methods for testing the durability of metal coatings involve:

  • Analyzing how two surfaces react when they come into contact with each other
  • Evaluating the level of damage a product can withstand

  Recreating the repetitive sliding surface-on-surface friction that panels experience as they are fabricated, shipped and installed

  Ultimately, architectural coatings should provide superior flexibility, formability and color consistency during the manufacturing process as well as superb protection against harsh outdoor elements and abrasion once they’ve been applied to panels. Evaluating the performance of metal coatings and continually making enhancements to formulas is one of the best ways to push innovation for coil and extrusion coatings.

  Durability is at the top of the list for performance criteria of metal coatings. The resin-based coatings trusted on metal architecture today provide color retention and abrasion resistance to create long-lasting facades for years to come.

  The testing processes that back these high-performance coatings ensure that innovation is always at the forefront of monumental architecture. See our product innovation in our online color library of more than 50,000 colors.