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Paints and Finishing Products
Historically paints have been used as both a protective skin and as a surface on walls as well as woodwork.
Over the last decade, Ty- Mawr has carefully designed and selected a unique paint range whilst considering the needs of their clients, those of thie buildings and the environment.
As more and more paints come on the market, it is important to understand what you technically require from your paint as well as considering how it is made.
Your should consider issues such as:
- implications on the building - paints for use on old buildings especially lime plasters, stone and brick, should be 'breathable' (allow moisture to evaporate). Otherwise problems such as condensation, damp, blistering and peeling paints, etc.. may result. All of our paints are vapour permeable, but don't just take the manufacturers/retailers claim - they should be able to provide full technical and physical characteristics, e.g., water absorption and water vapour diffusion figures. (As a guide limewash is the most vapour permeable with an Sd value of <0.02m).
- health implications - paints have been idenitfied as a contrtibutory factor to indoor air pollution. We can spend almost 90% of our time indoors, so it is therefore important to consider the quality of the internal environment on our own health. The World Health Organistation classed painting as a carcinogenic profession in 1986 and althought there have been successful moves in recent years to reduce VOC (Volatile Organic Chemicals) emissions - truly natural paints are VOC free anyway!
- environmental implications - many paints are petrochemical based hence depleting a natural resource and many are large producers of waste (see tip below). Our Aglaia range is highly recommended from an environmental point of view aws it is exclusively made of plant origin such as dammar resin, linseed oil or animal origin such as beeswax, milk casein with some minerals such as chalk and earth pigments.
- quality - as with all of our products, we only choose paints if we are happy that they perform technically and give a high quality finish - our ranges are easy to use and are hard wearing. Our Aglaia and Beeck's ranges have been proven over decades on thousands of square metres of wall and wood. All products have European and/or National quality, manufacturing and ecological certificates.
Tips - In 2006, 400 million litres sof paint (retail and trade) were sold in the UK. Of this, it is estimated that approximately 80 million litres are unused, stored in homes or garages or just thrown away. That this enough to fill 33 Olymic-sized swimming pools! If you have any apint left over, visit www.communityrepaint.org.uk - last year they redistributed over 208,000 litres of paint (which otherwise would have ended up in a landfill)! This is only part of the problem though - most of the 400 million litres of paint used annually is synthetic - producing up to 30 tonne of waste for every 1 tonne produced - using natural paints as an alternative would have a hugely positive environmental impact - as demonstrated in this section.
It is also important when choosing a paint to understand the background onto which you are painting. Please contact us if you require any particular advice.
AGLAIA has been producing plant-based paints since 1968. we recommend them for a number of reasons.
Benefits
- they are made from environmentally friendly, renewable materials; conventional paints are still often based on petrochemicals (causing huge environmental problems) and fossil fuels like crude oil (that are too precious to burn).
- there is no human health hazard to users or those living and working in the space afterwards
- 100% VOC-free naturally
- their products have a full declaration of ingredients and descriptions of their compositions and origination, unlike many paints claiming to be 'green' on the market today.
- they are technically good, i.e., eay to use, hard wearing and proven over a large number of years on thousands of square metres of wall and wood. However because they do not have conventional artificial drying agents, etc..., instructions must be followed.
- they are highly vapour permeable and therefore compatible with other natural and traditional building materials. They can directly control damp/condensation within a building.
BEECK'S mineral paints have been manufactured in Germany from waterglass for well over 100 years. Their popularity throughout Europe is basesd on their incredible durability as they actually bond to the surface to which they are applied - becoming part of the fabric of the building. Just as importantly, they function in the same way as the building, i.e., they continue to let the older buildings 'breathe'. They have therefore been widely used amoungst professionals involved in old and historic building conservation. AS they have no artificial resins, solvents, biocides, etc.. they are also the choice of those concerned about the health of the painters and building occupants as well as those concerned about the environment.
The product range is extensive, with paints that can perform a huge variety of situations and on different backgrounds.
Benefits
- they have excellent historic pedigree dating back to 1884.
- Beeck's are one of only two manufacturers who currently produce these single component mineral paints that form active silica bonds with the background (i.e. they become part of the background). This is what gives them such incredible durability.
- they have 'breathability' (water vapour permeability) comparable to limewash (with an Sd value of <0.02m), which results in healthier and drier buildings.
- they are completely non-toxic and contain no VOC's, this makes them safe for you and your family to work and live with.
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