Today, a design professional confidently told me, “Obviously we won’t be using powder coating on the exterior metal applications for this project as the building needs much better protection than polyester can give.” 

So, let’s dispel that myth right from the get-go: powder is NOT just a polyester based coating. There are many different types, or chemistries, of powder. 

Do we make standard polyester powders, the type that the architect was clearly referring to? Absolutely. 

BUT, in the architectural world, we also make super durable polyesters, designed for exterior use like commercial storefront, windows, etc., and we also make Fluoropolymer powders for curtain wall, louvers, sunscreens, panels, windows and more. If you’ve heard the term fluoropolymer before then it’s because 70% PVDF liquid paints are also a fluoropolymer coating. Fluoropolymer powder coatings deliver the same or better performance than liquid fluoropolymer powders, and they have a better sustainability footprint. More on that later. 

Where does the myth come from? 

The most popular type of powder coating across all markets or applications (outside of architectural!) is probably the polyester powder coating. What do we mean by a polyester powder coating? Simply, a powder that is based around a polyester resin system. It was one of the first powder chemistries developed, and is known - and loved - for its good performance, easy application, tough durable finish, enormous range of color possibilities, improved sustainability footprint and economical price tag. 

Job shops or professional powder coaters use this type of powder regularly. If you take your patio furniture, or your bike to be recoated at your local powder coater, there’s a good chance it will be a polyester based powder. 

But this is just one type of powder.  

There are many other powders that are based on other types of resins. For excellent chemical resistance, but little exterior weathering capability, there are epoxy based powders. For excellent chemical resistance there are urethane powders, which are often used on domestic appliances like washing machines, and there are GMA acrylic based powders widely used in the automotive industry.  

As mentioned above, in the architectural industry, we tend to use three different types of powders. 

We have the standard polyester powder – yes, the infamous – which in the architectural world we usually recommend for interior applications. If you know your industry coating standards, standard polyester powders like IFS 300SP will meet and exceed the performance requirements of AAMA 2603. Note – this is NOT to be confused with a baked enamel finish! Baked enamel is baked liquid paint, we are talking about powder coating. 

Design professionals also need performance coatings to protect and decorate exterior metal applications, and this is where the “other” types of architectural grade powders enter the picture. 

Super Durable powders were initially designed to be exterior grade powders. Super Durable formulations like IFS 400SD will meet and exceed the performance requirements of AAMA 2604, so they have an extended color and gloss retention as well as improved corrosion and humidity resistance, over standard polyester products.  

At the top end, there are fluoropolymer powders. Just like 70% PVDF liquid formulations, these powders utilize fluoropolymer resin technology to deliver superior performance, long term color and gloss retention, and to meet and exceed the performance requirements of AAMA 2605. Instead of PVDF fluoropolymer resin, IFS 500FP powders utilize FEVE fluoropolymer resin, ensuring incredible exterior performance, plus all the improved sustainability benefits that powders deliver.  

No matter what type of powder performance is specified, there are sustainability advantages to be reaped. The sustainability advantages are enormous, from zero solvents (therefore negligible VOCs), and the ability to reclaim, reuse or recycle over-sprayed powder, to reduced oven temperatures when compared with competing liquid coatings (thus an improved carbon footprint). Additionally, IFS Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) will back your project’s sustainability goals. Discover more info here. 

Taking all of this into account, it’s no surprise that buildings all over the US and beyond benefit from powder coated protection.  

Curtain wall systems on buildings like 111 57th in NYC, 9 DeKalb in Brooklyn, the Birds Nest stadium in Beijing, and the Renzo Piano designed “the Shard” in London, UK all boast fluoropolymer powder protection.  

Super Durables are used by residential window companies, commercial storefront, door manufacturers and more, and in recent years have also been used on interior applications where there is a concern for fade on coated metals. The Super Durable technology will offer around ten times the color and gloss resistance of a standard polyester powder for a negligible increase in price. This makes it a popular option for both interior and exterior applications. 

Adding powder to your project  

With a wide array of colors and effects including mica, metallics and textures, plus custom color matching, the opportunities are endless. Of course powder is generally used on metal applications (but not coil!) and is a factory applied finish – don’t forget it has to cure in an oven. When it comes to adding powder to your specification, our advice is simple: don’t take liquid performance coating out of your spec, add powder in. Make your spec about performance and color, not powder versus liquid, so your project can benefit from potential cost savings while the suppliers compete for your business.  

Specifying powder has never been easier, with many of the spec systems now including powder coating language. You can find IFS language in the following portals, and you can also download an 050513 three-part guide spec, plus just the finishing language, for aluminum and steel at each AAMA level here. 

• RIB SpecLink  
• VisiSpecs by Chalkline  
• Conspectus Cloud  
• 4Specs   
• Spec Simple  

 Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the performance capabilities and sustainability benefits that architectural grade powders can deliver. Download the IFS Architectural E-book, or request an AIA approved lunch and learn and discover how easy it is to add another layer of sustainability to your projects and specs, without compromising on performance, color or warranty.  

Find everything you need to know about architectural powder coatings here