The finishing touches to a project can make all the difference to the sustainability and safety of dwellings. The Dulux Decorator Centre team looks at how the correct specification of paints and coatings can drive up building efficiency, improve fire safety and deliver on aesthetics
Research shows that the built environment accounts for 30-40% of UK carbon emissions – and a sizeable percentage comes from domestic buildings. In addition, the construction and demolition of buildings accounts for 32% of landfill waste. As such, it is imperative that the construction industry finds ways to drive down inefficiencies – and for the housing sector, this means carefully selecting building materials and extending maintenance cycles to ensure minimal impact over the lifetime of a property.
As well as the bricks and mortar, housing managers should consider the important role that paints and coatings play in improving sustainability. Firstly, opting for water-based products is an easy way to minimise environmental impact. Solvent-based products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – chemical vapours that contribute to greenhouse gases, global warming, rising sea levels and ground level pollution. In addition, exposure to high levels of VOCs can have negative effects on the health of the user and occupant; with symptoms including eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as headaches, loss of coordination and nausea in more severe cases.
A sustainable choice
In contrast, water-based products contain very low VOC levels, so they are much safer for the environment and residents. There is also no need to ventilate rooms so occupants can return to site as soon as the paint is dried, keeping disruption to a minimum.
Another benefit of today’s water-based products is that they deliver the high durability traditionally associated with solvent-based alternatives. Maintenance cycles can be extended by choosing paints and coatings that will stand the test of time and reduce the need for regular redecoration. As a result, the emissions produced across a dwelling’s life cycle are significantly cut – as well as the hassle, disruption, and cost of the work.
It is also important to think beyond the application process and ensure that empty paint cans are disposed of responsibly. Offerings like ‘Dulux Decorator Centres can recycling schemes’ are ideal. This free of charge service means that empty and dry cans can be either collected from site or delivered by the painting contractor to a local Dulux Decorator Centre. All plastic is then shredded and sent back into the plastics market where it is turned into low-grade plastic products like underground pipework – and metal is melted down and returned to the general market.
Safety first
Another key consideration for housing managers is the safety of building occupants. In older buildings, there can be multiple layers of existing coatings that have built up over a number of years. These can be a hazard and contribute to the spread of fire.
To ensure occupant safety, paints and coatings used must be compliant with building regulations. Approved Document B – which is concerned with the fire safety in and around buildings – states that internal linings in buildings should ‘adequately resist the spread of flame over their surfaces’ and if ignited ‘have either a rate of heat release or rate of fire growth which is reasonable in the circumstances’. They must therefore be compliant with BS476-6: 1989 (also known as part 6) and BS476-7: 1997 (or part 7) and achieve Class 0.
BS476-6: 1989 refers to the amount of heat released when the product is burned and BS476-7: 1997 looks at how quickly flame can spread across a surface. BS476 also defines products based on four classes, with Class 4 indicating that the flame will spread across the surface rapidly and Class 0 showing that the spread of flame and heat released from the surface are limited. To achieve Class 0 a product must achieve Class 1 when tested to BS476-7: 1997 and pass the test for BS476-6: 1989.
To ensure the correct specification, suppliers can work with customers to conduct a fire-risk assessment and recommend the products that will achieve Class 0. They can also work with painting contractors to ensure that products are applied correctly and in line with the manufacturer’s instructions – to ensure that paints and coatings perform as intended.
Colouring lives
A space should feel homely, warm, and welcoming and the right choice of colour is crucial to instilling these emotions in the people that call your premises ‘home’. Over the last 20 years, we have seen trends go in and out of style; between 2004-2007, cooler blues and greys were making their mark, whereas yellows featured between 2007-2013.
Over the last few years, there has been a trend towards the soothing and inspiring colours of nature and this year’s Colour of the Year continues in a similar vein. Wild WonderTM is a hue inspired by the warm tones of harvested crops and looks to create a sense of energy and positivity.
When designing or refurbishing dwellings, housing managers should carefully consider how paints and coatings can improve sustainability, occupant safety and wellbeing.
Dulux Decorator Centre team