SA Affordable Housing January - February 2020 // ISSUE: 80 | Page 15

“We’re in the process of introducing this new technology to
architects, developers, contractors and asset owners
throughout Southern Africa. PPG has successfully launched this
innovative product starting in Europe where unpredictable
weather conditions impacts on the timing of exterior paint
projects. Conventional coating systems previously had a
narrow window of application and required specialised primers
to achieve the same effect. The benefit to affordable housing,
says Pieter, is the considerable time and labour saving
attributable to All Seasons that comes from being able to
ignore the weather factor – and from having to apply a two
coats primer-less coating directly to the substrate as well as
application in a wider range of moisture conditions (as
opposed to a three-coat system).
“With affordable housing, the biggest single impact on cost
is the production time. In this respect, many developers will rely
on a paint manufacturer or third-party to advise on substrate
structure or moisture levels – and that can cause delays if they
have to wait for moisture levels to settle. There’s no delay with
our product, and we also offer on-site training to paint
contractors on how to apply it.” This latter point is vital, he
explains, given how many affordable housing projects employ
community workers who are frequently unskilled. This is done
in small, interactive groups whereby Prominent Paints
technicians paint with them to transfer the skills, ensure they
use the right application method and the correct tools.
“In terms of the new-build market this is a higher quality
offering than the conventional coating systems available in
terms of being a pure-acrylic breathable coating, absolutely
solvent-free. In the rainy season we’re in now, the risk of the
coating system failing due to early exposure to rain is reduced.”
Marketing manager Jackie Putter says the introduction to
affordable housing projects includes using cost calculator to
show the cost implication on labour and product cost per
square meter and it has been found from affordable housing
projects completed that savings of 20% are on average
achieved on application of All Seasons, based on independent
testing by the developer. “And in virtually all other cases we
also come out cheaper, even though it depends heavily on the
conditions and what you are comparing it to.”
Other tests have shown that a conventional paint systems
often resulted in delays due to the curing rate of individual
layers. “Being matt, this product is easier to apply for a
professional finish as well as saving time.”
MAINTENANCE ISSUES
De Vries says that while the product is currently being targeted
at the applicator market, it also has benefit to the homeowner
in terms of its UV and dirt resistance. High Performance All
Seasons can be applied over conventional coatings as long as
the substrate is prepared correctly.
Prominent Paints has been on a national roadshow explaining its
new range to contractors, architects and developers.
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
COVER STORY
Paint being applied at a unit wall.
The product was put through two years of testing by PPG at
various locations in the world, ensuring the coating can
withstand severe weather conditions often worse than South
African conditions.
“The product was designed for the new build concrete
market due to its ‘breathability’. Tests results on unpainted
concrete showed that the coating system reduces CO2 diffusion.
Concrete invariably contains moisture which cannot escape
when covered by conventional paints increasing the risk of
spalling down the line.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD
At PPG, we work every day to develop and deliver the paints,
coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more
than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our
customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the
right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate
and innovate in more than 70 countries and more than 150
manufacturing locations strategically located worldwide. We
serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial
and transportation markets and aftermarkets.
PROMINENT PAINTS
“TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS”
Founded in 1981, the Prominent Paints brand has been
built on strong partnerships with dynamic retailers an ever-
growing compliment of trade contractors and painters.
Through the exceptional service delivery that stems from
the internal drive and passion of our people, Prominent
Paints has not only become a trusted brand in the market
but has also been acknowledged as one of the preferred
paint brands in South Africa.
Our head office and manufacturing plant is situated in
Alrode, Johannesburg and employs more than 220 people.
This modern facility enjoys full integration and synergy with
the research and development infrastructure of our parent
company, PPG, and benefits from the more than USD474-
million invested in research and development in 2017.
We offer quality products, professional colour advice, free
quotations and free delivery.
Our brands include: Prominent Paints High Performance
Range, Premium Range, Select Range and Access Range.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020
13