I
ndia’s Construction industry is witnessing a surge with annual
construction investment anticipated to jump by almost a third
over the next five years. This growth will be underpinned by
infrastructure development, as well as expanded private sector
involvement in construction sector. In spite of undoubtedly positive
effects in terms of both economics and overall development, this
period of rapid growth does present design and construction
professionals with a raft of challenges.The challenges include tight construction budgets, elevated
demand for performance, extended product lifespans, and minimal
maintenance requirements. Hence, the need to develop best
practices for material and finish specification would be critical. In
the current industry climate, a responsible construction professional
cannot afford to choose a product based on initial purchase price
alone. The right finishes can dramatically increase a project’s
lifespan, resulting in savings on maintenance and replacement
costs while helping to meet sustainability requirements. Savvy
professionals are now selecting products based on their long-term
value, flexibility, durability and ease of maintenance over the life
cycle of a building.In particular, designers seeking to enhance the performance andReducing Costs through Effective
Specification of Materials & Finishes
Surface finishes are enabling Indian Architects & Designers to achieve higher levels of durability and extended
material lifespans, as well as cost savings throughout the life of the project.
Content & Images: Armstrong Ceiling Solutionsaesthetics of metal ceilings are considering new cutting-edge
surface finishes. The most popular of these are powder-coated
finishes, on which over 15% of the total industrial finishing market
relies. One of the primary drivers of using powder-coat finishes on
metals is the value that it adds to the building by presenting a high
quality and economical finish.Important Parameters which enhances the life cycle of a
BuildingDurability
The durability of a building material is very important to maintain
the required performance and aesthetic levels over a given period,
contributing to the longevity of a project and therefore, overall
returns on investment. India is witnessing massive construction
in segments such as transport, healthcare and education, where
elevated traffic levels heighten the demand for highly durable
ceilings.Hence to meet the challenges of high traffic projects, designers &
specifiers have to select the most suitable ceiling which meets the
product’s durability on the long-term basis in addition to the value
and lifecycle of the building.Architectural Finishes
Architectural finishes have now become very important as it can
enhance durability by providing impact, scratch, and UV resistance
as well as the ability to withstand dust and discolouring. The
surface treatment enhances the aesthetics and performance
factors of building materials.Powder-coated finishes are one of the strongest, longest lasting,
and colour fast quality finishes available in the market. It is resistant
to diminished coating quality as a result of impact, moisture,
chemicals, UV light, and other extreme weather conditions. Also
in comparison to wet paints, powder coating is significantly more
resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and other wear issues.With advent of technology, powder-coated finishes are now
available with anti-graffiti polyurethane elements, instead of
polyester components. Polyurethane is more durable, more
chemically resistant and unlike typical polyester, can be used for
exterior applications. Some products are also free of the toxic
mutagen, which is known to increase the sensitivity of the skin and
respiratory tract and may cause serious eye damage. It is highly
recommended for hospital applications.