The usually staid paint and wallcoverings category is still capable of incubating innovation.
Sherwin-Williams recently introduced Paint Shield, the first EPA-registered microbicidal paint that kills virtually all infection-causing bacteria—including E. coli, staph, and VRE—after two hours of exposure on painted surfaces.
Third-party testing has validated Paint Shield’s health claims and allows the paint to be marketed as “antibacterial.” Consequently, Paint Shield could be well suited for a variety of settings where bacteria-related infections are a risk, including healthcare facilities, schools, daycare centers, senior citizen communities, and cruise ships.
Innovation of a different sort is showing up in offices and schools, where walls are often used as collaborative platforms to write on and post work product. IdeaPaint, which makes a premium line of dry-erase paint, kept hearing from customers who were frustrated with magnetic wallcoverings on the market. “They were experiencing a lack of hold and, in some cases, complete product failure,” says Jen Reddy, IdeaPaint’s VP of Marketing.
So the Boston-based supplier came out with PULL, an easy-to-install wallcovering made from magnetically active glass fleece, which offers significantly more magnetic strength and works in tandem with IdeaPaint’s paint line.
PULL’s installation takes several days to complete, as walls must be prepped and primed, the wallcovering cut and mounted, and the dry-erase paint applied, all with drying times of between 12 and 24 hours between each step.
Photo: Sherwin Williams.
Related Stories
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
Virtual care facility serves remote patients, may reduce readmissions
Mercy’s new high-tech medical center equips its medical professionals to deliver care at the bedside of patients anywhere.
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
11 great solutions for the commercial construction market
A roll-up emergency department, next-gen telemedicine center, and biophilic cooling pods are among the AEC industry’s clever ideas and novel innovations for 2016.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
13 great solutions for commercial construction
As these 13 innovations for the AEC marketplace demonstrate, sometimes a problem can be a good thing.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Digitally fabricated concrete formwork pushes the limits of what can be cost-effectively constructed in concrete
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and CW Keller use 3D modeling and CNC machining to advance concrete construction.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Sasaki Associates develops simple yet novel solution for precast concrete complication
Its double-angle cladding anchor maintains the air/water/vapor barrier integrity and continuous insulation while still allowing for the desired versatility of precast panels.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Porcelanosa’s solid-surface product, Krion, used to create an elegant retractable ceiling for NY showroom
Typically used for countertops, vanities, and furniture, Krion was used to make 39 panels covering 1,300 sf of ceiling space above the showroom.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Skanska’s new app helps construction teams monitor and meet environmental quality standards while renovating hospitals
App allows users to track noise, differential pressure levels, vibration, and dust
Great Solutions | Jan 19, 2016
Concrete innovation: voided biaxial slab slashes weight, saves concrete
System reduces slab dead load by 30% on medical clinic project
Great Solutions | Jan 19, 2016
Healing garden doubles as therapy trails
A Boston-area hospital takes the healing garden to the next level.
Great Solutions | Jan 14, 2016
WWII watchtower turned into ‘land yacht’
Architect Siemasko + Verbridge and contractor Windover Construction transformed a coastal wartime observation post into an amenity-filled guesthouse.