Paint and pigment: Colour and performance from design to delivery

Semi-gloss

More durable than satin and flat finishes, semi-gloss, pearl, and medium lustre finishes offer medium to low-high reflectance when dry. Semi-gloss offers a tough, washable, and stain-resistant finish.

Gloss

The most durable, gloss and high-gloss finishes offer high reflectance when dry, and these finishes accent architectural features and create depth perception.

Specifying paint

When specifying paint, make the process easier and ultimately ensure a quality outcome on the job by keeping in mind a few key points.

Generic description

Interior or exterior, sheen/gloss and resin, or solvent.

Special characteristics

Zero VOCs, odour eliminating technology, moisture resistance, mould and mildew resistance, rust inhibitive, and abrasion or impact resistance.

Reference standards

Measurable and comparable performance standards and ASTM for hardness, abrasion resistance, and adhesion.

Basis of design

Establishes an enforceable level of quality, helps with submittal review, delivers what is important to the owner, and lists specific manufacturer, make, and/or model.

In order to specify the right coating and colour for the job, it is helpful to understand everything from the ingredients that make a coating to how those ingredients will affect the emotions and performance of a space. By following these tips, specifiers will ensure the project is done successfully and to their clients’ expectations.

Rick Watson was with Sherwin-Williams for more than 30 years. He began his career in 1988, in the management training program. Shortly thereafter, he became a professional coating sales representative in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since then, Watson has progressed through several roles of greater responsibility including store manager, product information team leader, product information manager, and director of product information and technical services before retiring in 2021.