NBT prescribes breathable paint finish

Natural Building Technologies is working to raise awareness of the importance of specifying the most appropriate paint finish in an age where the highest levels of air-tightness and breathability are being achieved. Developers run the risk of reducing the breathability of the building fabric if a vapour-closed paint is applied either internally or externally.

Responding to market demand, NBT has developed its range of high quality Eco Trade paints to complete its breathable Pavatex insulation and Thermoplan masonry block systems. The vapour-open and hygroscopic properties of all NBT systems naturally regulate moisture to protect the building fabric while offering excellent levels of thermal and acoustic performance. These systems are used in combination with natural vapour permeable plasters and renders to create a wholly ‘breathable’ structure.

However, the ‘breathability’ of a building can be severely jeopardised by applying some mainstream paint products, the majority of which are vapour closed and so form a barrier, trapping moisture at the wall surface. To avoid this, a vapour-open NBT Eco Trade paint can be applied to work in combination with the breathable wall system by preventing interstitial and surface condensation through the effective absorption and dispersion of moisture.

Neil May, Managing Director of Natural Building Technologies, comments: “For sustainable, breathable builds, it is essential to use a paint that is vapour-open. The breathability of paint can be a significant factor in controlling condensation and in allowing the building fabric to buffer moisture levels internally, thus ensuring a healthy internal atmosphere.”

The NBT Eco Trade range includes emulsion, gloss, eggshell, primers and undercoats as well as exterior timber paints. Easy to use, its ‘sprayable,’ quick-drying formula achieves excellent coverage and is safer to handle because of its very low VOC content (as low as 0.01), compared with other modern paints.

When dry, NBT’s Eco Trade Emulsion provides a quality finish that is easy to wipe clean. The added benefit of non-toxic and zero solvent content also contributes towards the creation of a healthier internal living environment.

Furthermore, the reduced environmental impact of this product can support house builders through their CSR and environmental policies. NBT paint has up to 30% lower embodied energy and TiO2 content than other paints on the market, significantly reducing carbon emissions and generating fewer waste products during the manufacturing process.

For further information on the NBT Eco Trade range of paints, please visit the website at natural-building.co.uk.