What types of protective coatings are there?

An introduction to protective coatings

Protective coatings are a great way to preserve a surface, helping it to both look and perform better. A protective coating is designed to protect a surface from something that may damage it, such as chemicals, salts, acids, alkalis, solvents, graffiti, UV radiation, wear and tear and general damage.

Protective coatings have been around for a while, protecting underlying surfaces from exposure to harmful elements of the environment. More recent advancements in coating technology have seen modern protective coatings become more highly specialised in the way they protect a surface. Modern-day coatings are made of different materials, protect different types of surfaces, in various different ways, and need varying types of surface preparation and application.

In short, there are a wide variety of different types of protective coatings around, designed to protect all kinds of surfaces, from metal and wood to flooring surfaces and roofs. Here are some of the most common.

Heat reflection coatings

Buildings can absorb heat, making them uncomfortable to be in and expensive to cool down. A heat reflection coating can prevent these problems, by leading to a reduction in heat load and the exterior surface temperature of a building. A special heat reflection coating will minimise surface heat, thus saving energy, reducing environmental impact – and saving you money spent in cooling down a building. Healthier cities result from naturally cooler buildings, as this sees a reduction in pollutants and chemical emissions entering the atmosphere.

Heat reflection coatings not only cool your house down, they also make it look good, as they come in a range of colours to suit your building.

Chemical resistant coatings

Chemical resistant coatings protect vulnerable surfaces from exposure to a corrosive environment. Extremely strong chemicals can lead to damage, deterioration and contamination of a surface, which can absorb solvents, alkalis, acids and salts without a protective coating.

A chemical resistant coating provides a barrier against the harshest chemicals, with minimal time, cost and effort involved. And not only can they provide chemical resistance, they can also provide temperature regulation, oil and stain resistance, slip-resistance and antibacterial elements. A chemical resistant coating also protects against general wear and tear, leaving the surface beneath the coating unharmed, and will eliminate or minimise repair and replacement costs.

Safety coatings

Safety is a huge consideration in many types of industrial environments, making protective coatings essential to increase the safety of an area. Safety coatings use high visibility finishes to increase awareness of danger and provide protection against slips and falls. They can also withstand the impact of chemicals and other corrosive agents. Safety coatings have fantastic performance characteristics; they can withstand heavy foot and vehicle traffic, offer long-term durability and have great visual impact – all while dramatically increasing safety.

Anti-Graffiti coatings

Anti-graffiti coatings do just what they say they will – they protect walls and surfaces from unwanted graffiti. Aerosol paints used on surfaces can be quickly and easily cleaned off when an anti-graffiti coating is used, discouraging graffiti artist from targeting the same building. The coating is easy to apply, offers heavy duty surface protection, saves on the costs of repainting or removing the graffiti, and won’t damage the underlying surface. This type of coating is an effective solution for eliminating the problem of graffiti, and will protect both porous and non-porous surfaces.

Pool coatings

While swimming pools have different protection needs than other industries, the surface of a pool still needs to be protected from both algae growth and pool chemicals. This allows for long-lasting usability of the pool, by providing a smooth, even, tough and easily cleanable surface that is both hygienic and safe. Both fresh water and saltwater swimming pools can become resistant to abrasion and damage with a protective coating, which will provide maximum lifespan and performance for your pool.

So, whatever surface you need to protect, there’s a coating to do the job! All these types of protective coating are endlessly useful in both domestic and industrial situations, and allow you to protect your surface from anything that may harm it. We offer all of these types of protective coating at Lloyd, with a wide range of quality products and services on offer.

If you’re in need of one of these types of protective coating, get in touch with us today and we can help you find the perfect solution to your needs.