Multi-Housing News - August 2009 - (Page 39)

products & services Paint and Coatings Make residents’ indoor air quality concerns a thing of the past 1 2 By Erika Schnitzer, Associate Editor With a growing number of residents concerned about their indoor air quality, more and more properties are recognizing the need to use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials, including carpets, adhesives, paints and finishes. This means repainting and finishing can now take place in common areas or when units are occupied, without adverse effects to residents, because the products produce no, or very low, odor. Historically, low-VOC paints were tinted off a glycolbased coloring system that added VOCs to the paint, making it not quite as eco-friendly as one would think. However, in more recent days, paint companies have developed advanced formulations. In addition to the strides paint manufacturers have taken in terms of sustainability, additional technological advances have been made. SherwinWilliams, for example, recently introduced ColorSnap, an iPhone app that 6 allows users to capture hues from their surroundings and make matches with the company’s over 1,500 colors. And with Paint Scentsations, property managers don’t just eliminate paint’s odor—they can also provide a range of spaces, including leasing offices and apartments, with a refreshing scent, all with one stroke of the brush. To comment, e-mail erika.schnitzer@nielsen.com 3 4 See Gerber’s Maxwell Dual Flush toilet, and other product introductions, at MHN’s Online Product Gallery. Visit www.multi-housingnews.com/productgallery. Benjamin Moore’s Natura [1] is a zero-VOC interior paint that is available in thousands of hues and a wide range of sheens. Because the paint is based on the company’s patented waterborne colorant system, its VOC level is unaffected by the addition of colorant. Tested in a lab that performs 5 testing for California’s CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools), which is known for tough paint emissions standards, Natura released fewer VOCs than other national top-selling zero-VOC paints (www.benjaminmoore.com)…Minwax [2] has expanded its line of low-VOC finishes with new formulations. The Super Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors, with a VOC level of 350, is a clear, oil-based finish that requires no sanding between coats, offering a recoat time of six to eight hours. The water-based Helmsman Spar Urethane (pictured), with a VOC level of 275, can be used on doors, windows, trim, countertops, bathroom cabinets and outdoor furniture. It’s designed to form a protective barrier against rain, moisture and sunlight (www.minwax.com)…Sherwin-Williams’ [3] new ColorSnap Apple iPhone application allows users to capture hues from their surroundings and match them to over 1,500 of the company’s colors. Users can either upload a photo from an existing photo library or snap a new photo from their surroundings. The free app will locate the exact hue to be matched, and ColorSnap will offer the closest matching Sherwin-Williams color, RGB value and a coordinating palette (www.swcolorsnap.com)…Dunn-Edwards Ecoshield [4] is low-odor and contains zero-VOCS and no ethylene glycol. The paint has reportedly outperformed its competition in scrub-resistance, flow and leveling tests. It is available as a primer, and in flat, low sheen and semi-gloss finishes (www.dunnedwards.com)…Paint Scentsations [5] is an air freshener that uses paint as a carrier. Designed with no VOCs, it will not affect the paint’s performance. For approximately $10 per unit, the product, which is available in six scents, eliminates odors and provides a scent for two to six months, depending on the size of the space (www.paintscentsations.com) Color Wheel’s [6] Texturi wall finishes can be applied to both interior and exterior surfaces because it bonds directly to the substrate. The products are acrylic and contain no cementitious materials; they reportedly will not crack or peel, and its permeability reduces mold and mildew growth. The Stone Fort line is a water-based product designed to provide a decorative finish similar to Stucco (www.colorwheel.com). www.multi-housingnews.com | August 2009 39 http://www.benjaminmoore.com http://www.minwax.com http://www.swcolorsnap.com http://www.dunnedwards.com http://www.paintscentsations.com http://www.multi-housingnews.com/productgallery http://www.colorwheel.com http://www.multi-housingnews.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - August 2009

Multi-Housing News - August 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Executive Insight: David Hendrickson, JLL
Market Pulse
Operations
Finance: Green Lenders
Property Management: Mentoring
Development & Design: Green
Profile: AMLI
Market Report: Florida
Kitchen & Bath: Saving Water
Products: Paints & Finishes
Technology: Resident Screening
Perspective: Leasing Practices

Multi-Housing News - August 2009