Demystifying the Powder Coating Specification

Posted by on 17 March 2022

So you’ve decided to specify a powder coating on your project.  Maybe your project owner values sustainability and wants to use materials with a lower carbon footprint.  Maybe your last project was delayed for months due to long lead times for liquid paint and you want to avoid those headaches on this project.  Maybe your project is a LEED project and you need EPDs for the Materials and Resources credit.  Or maybe you simply want a performance coating that is tough, lasts a long time, and that fabricators appreciate (high transfer efficiency, jnegligible VOCs and odor- free, and low reject rate).  Whatever the reason, you made a good choice.  Now, how do you specify it?

The first place to start is your current coating specifications.  Whether it be Division 5, 8, or 9, powder can be included.  If you are specifying an opening, say an aluminum storefront, window, skylight or curtain wall, you likely are specifying it in Division 8.  The aluminum metal used in these openings are often finished in one of three ways: anodizing, liquid coating, or powder coating.  All of these systems are considered high performance coatings and meet industry standards, like AAMA.  Anodizing falls under AAMA 611 while liquid and powder coatings fall under AAMA 2604 and AAMA 2605.  The manufacturer of the opening often will offer various performance levels when it comes to the finish.  Specifying the performance you need for your project is key here.  If you typically spec liquid coatings that meet AAMA 2605 for your curtain wall, you can add language to include powder.  Below is an example of how sustainable powder coatings are written into a spec for an aluminum opening in Division 8:

Superior-Performance Organic FEVE Fluoropolymer Powder Finish: Single-coat Fluoropolymer Powder finish complying with AAMA 2605 and containing 100 percent FEVE resin. 

This same language can also be applied to Division 5.  Adding language to Division 9 is a bit different.  This is primarily due to the nature of Division 9.  Division 9 is focused on finishes generally, not specific finished building materials.  Language calling out powder can be added under the “High Performance Coatings” section and “Topcoat Materials.”  Under “High Performance Coatings” it is important to state the performance standard required for the project.  Here language can be added to specify the use of powder similar to what can be used in Division 5 and 8:

Superior-Performance Organic FEVE Fluoropolymer Powder Finish

Adding language under “Topcoat Materials” is different with powder.  Powder coatings are often applied in a single coat, so language stating that is important here.  Liquid paints may be used in other areas of the project and will almost always be multi-coat.  A second bullet needs to be added to allow for powder to be used in a single coat.  See below:

Single-coat Fluoropolymer Powder finish containing 100 percent FEVE resin

Specifying powder on your project is fairly simple.  So where can you use it?  A good tip to keep in mind is that powder won’t be applied on- site, but this doesn’t mean powder can’t be used on your next restoration project.  Many metal components of an older building can be removed and sent to a job shop for powder coating application.  Larger pieces for a new build will likely come from a larger coater that specializes in metal lineals (think extrusions for curtain wall).  If you are looking for an interior coating in a specialty color (maybe corporate identity or a coating capable of real depth and interest ), be sure to check with your powder supplier to get a color match sample.  IFS has over 76,000 colors in it’s database which is a good place to start.  Beyond that wide color space, custom colors are available to meet the demands of your design.

If your project calls for an exterior coating that comes with a 20 year warranty and meets and exceeds the AAMA 2605 performance requirements, liquid PVDF is NOT your only option.  Superior performance architectural powder coatings exceed the AAMA 2605 standard, come with 20 year warranties on aluminum, AND have a low carbon footprint because they have lower embodied carbon.  Typically AAMA 2605 powder coatings will be specified in either Division 5 or 8.  It is important to remember that they need to be applied by a registered applicator.  Superior performance coatings are expected to perform for decades and having proper application is key.  A registered applicator has undergone rigorous review of their line and process so rest assured, your powder coating will be applied properly to perform over the long haul.

Remember, powder coatings can be specified to meet your project needs.  Often, simply adding additional language to call out powder coatings is all that is needed.  Adding the option of powder to your coating spec will make your project more sustainable, your GC relieved because materials will be available, and your fabricators breathing fresh air by using a technology that is solvent free, reclaimable, and high quality.  It is no mystery that powder coatings are the more environmentally responsible choice for your next design project.