By Jeff Alexander, Valspar Corporation

Weather is inevitable. And for buildings, there's just no escaping it. Whether subjected to harsh winters, extreme sun, torrential rains or the standard seasonal mix, buildings–including those clad in metal–are under constant assault from the elements. The impact is often most noticeable in the building's appearance.  

The architectural industry is not only challenged to construct buildings that withstand unpredictable weather, but also maintain the exterior appearance for years into the future. Consequently, building design teams are always looking for more durable solutions when constructing projects that use architectural metal panels. This means they’re turning more and more to architectural metal coatings that promise longevity and lasting color retention in addition to protection from the elements.

Even basic structures deserve long-lasting protection from the elements. For those types of projects and others, Valspar offers its WeatherXL Crinkle Finish coating. The durability and longevity of WeatherXL demonstrates just how far silicone-modified polyester (SMP) have come in turns of performance.

Durable Coatings

With durability being top of mind, it’s important for architects, engineers and designers to have architectural metal panel coating options they can rely on. The architectural coating is the first layer visible on the building’s exterior and is ultimately responsible for its appearance and durability. This means the coating has the toughest job of all and must act as the first defense for the building to protect against harsh weather, including hail, acid rain, UV rays and much more.

Luckily, there are coatings on the market that go further than just acting as a finishing color and contributor to creating the desired aesthetic. Many coatings are designed to ensure the durability of a structure and to provide expert resistance to harmful elements in high-stress environments. Some of the most durable and proven silicone-modified polyester (SMP) coatings on the market can now stand up to the harshest environmental elements while still preserving a brilliant color. Better yet, these coatings are resistant to abrasion, chipping and marring, so they’re protected not only from the weather but from any additional mistreatment during the installation process.

Put to the Test

Before a coating manufacturer releases a product, they employ countless tests to ensure their coatings will live up to the promise of outlasting the elements. Thus far, many weatherproof coatings have been put to the test and successfully applied on buildings and residential homes. One example is Valspar’s WeatherXL Crinkle Finish coating. Its use on a recently constructed 42' x 64' metal storage building in Columbus, OH provided the building with a low-gloss finish and extra protection.

“I’m really happy with how the building turned out,” said Paul Gantt, owner of the structure. “Eventually, I’d love to be able to renovate the exterior of my home to reflect the same coated metal look.”

Look to the Future

Its no easy task to stand up to unpredictable weather, day in and out, but it’s a goal that architectural metal coating manufacturers are always addressing in the lab. They’re constantly innovating products and creating unique formulations to go the extra mile and weather the storm.

Knowing that architectural coatings not only add a level of durability, but also heavily influence the look of a building it’s important to choose your product carefully. With the cost investment made when choosing the right coating color and texture, make sure you know that the investment is worth the longevity of the coating quality.