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How to use powder for interiors
There’s an awful lot of talk about high performance powders for exterior architectural applications, but what about interiors?
Powder coatings are used in many different interior applications and can deliver an awesome performance punch!
Which product type should I use?
First things first. As always, the most important thing to decide on is product type. So often designers and architects choose color without specifying the product type/chemistry, and this can lead to performance and budget issues – neither good! So which powders are good for interior applications? For most interior applications, a standard polyester powder coating is a great option. Many interior applications don’t require the same levels of performance in terms of weathering (retaining color and gloss under UV stress) or corrosion prevention, as the harsh exterior elements like UV resistance and salt or humidity don’t come into play. IFS 300SP standard polyesters will meet and exceed the performance requirements of AAMA 2603, making them an excellent interior option for most applications.
For some interior applications, like interior façade, the interior side of a thermally broken window or commercial storefront in a mall, a more robust product in terms of weathering performance is desired. This is where a super durable polyester makes an excellent choice. IFS 400SD, the IFS super durable product range, will meet and exceed the performance requirements of AAMA 2604, thus delivering improved color and gloss retention and corrosion protection when compared with a standard polyester.
111 57th, NYC, utilizes super durable powders on the interior facade.
Where are powders used in interior applications?
The answer to this question could be an extensive list, however the easiest way to describe it is anywhere there’s metal!
Common uses range from structural applications likes interior façade or inside of thermal break on windows, practical applications like trim, lighting, display units, racking and shelving to decorate applications like furniture, accessories and point of sale stands. The options are endless!
Can powders deliver protection for all those different applications?
As well as looking great, these thermosetting powder coatings deliver a tough, hard and scratch resistance protective film – especially with compared with a liquid paint. However sometimes a little extra is needed, and powders for interiors can really deliver:
Anti-microbial powders
Perfect for hospitals, pharmacies, schools, gyms and more, anti-microbial additives can be added to interior powder coatings. The great thing about these is they remain anti-microbial for the life of the powder coating – as long as the powder is present, it retains it’s anti-microbial properties.
Additional scratch and mar
Powder coatings have superior scratch and mar resistance, especially when compared with liquid paints. However some applications need all the help they can get – protection from people, bags, keys, phones…the list goes on. Check out this video showing just how scratch and impact resistant powders can be! Artco Bell makes quality furniture for schools and as such takes the protection of that furniture seriously – it needs to last as long as possible and stand up to the heavy demands placed on it. Check out this video that shows just what the powder coated legs of their chairs can stand up to. They’re protected with 8 mils of tough powder coating with additional scratch resistance built in, and the results are impressive.
Anti-graffiti
Unwanted graffiti can be a pain in the proverbial to deal with. Powder coatings can be made with an anti-graffiti additive included to make it easier to remove unwanted graffiti when it happens.
Electrostatic Dissipative coatings
Protecting extensive IT investment is important so even items like server cabinets can benefit from interior powder coating with electrostatic dissipative qualities built in.
So many special performance qualities can be added to powders – from fingerprint resistance to additional rub protection perfect for racking and shelving. For more information on the protective qualities you need, contact your IFS rep.
Color and clears – decorating with interior powder coatings
No exterior exposure means a significantly reduced weathering requirement, and that’s great news for the sheer number of colors and effects available in interior quality powders! Certain special effects require certain techniques to achieve the specific look, and that can reduce the weatherability of the powder. For interiors, weatherability is not really a big consideration, so the freedom you have in choosing colors and special effects is endless!
Choose from color collections like RALs, Pantones, ANSI and Federal Standards as well as special effects like sparkles with mica and metallic, textures, river textures, veins, wrinkles, translucents, wood effect, clear coats and more. The challenge with color in this blog is that it’s so hard to effectively show color on screen. Just think how different a color can look when you tilt your laptop screen or your mobile one way or the other – and that’s before we realize that our screen is not color calibrated. Add into that the problems of accurately showing beautiful metallic or mica effects on screen, and we always recommend you ask for a free color sample or color cards to make your choice. With over 55,000 colors in our database you have SO much to choose from, so don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know what we need and we’ll get those samples out to you!
The IFS sister brand, Polychem powder coatings, has an incredible assortment of colors and special effects, and as they're all available in flexible quantities, starting as low as 5lbs, and competitive prices, Polychem makes an excellent interior option for the interior designer.
Choosing powder coatings for interior applications has never been easier! If you have questions, need help or assistance or want a color sample or free color match started for you – just let us know!