Weatherability, corrosion resistance top priorities for architects.

A recent national survey of architects found that more than 95% consider weatherability and corrosion resistance as "critical" or "very important" to specifying, recommending, or approving coatings for metal roof and wall panels.

Conducted by International Communications

Research, a nationally recognized market research organization, the study explored a broad range of topics to understand the opinions and practices of architects who specify metal coatings, including which performance attributes they considered most important and how they would rate various brands.

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According to the more than 100 architects who participated in the study, the five most important attributes of coatings used on metal roofs and walls, in order of importance, are corrosion resistance, weatherability, color retention, warranty, and freedom from maintenance. Less important attributes cited by the respondents are gloss retention, dirt pickup, color range, and initial cost.

Architects in the study specify about equally by brand (49%) and by performance criteria (51%). A large majority (86%) of participants named materials containing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as their top choice for coating formulations.