Current Trends in Interior Architectural Coatings Industry Experts Weigh In on What is New and Now

Architectural coatings consist of a wide array of paints and coatings for both interior and exterior surfaces found in residential and commercial buildings. Surfaces being painted include drywall, concrete block, wood, brick, stucco, metal, and others. Applications include primers and paints for walls and ceilings, stains and coatings for exterior decks, interior wood stains and sealers, floor coatings, basement waterproofers, and trim paints, among others. As a group, architectural coatings comprise the largest segment of the U.S. paint and coatings market, approximately 60% by volume and 50% by value.1,2 The total volume of architectural coatings is estimated at approximately 900 million gallons for 2021.3 Roughly two-thirds of the total volume is applied in interior spaces, and waterborne latex is the dominant technology. About 85% of the interior coatings are waterborne, and they can be divided up into the types of coatings. During the past two years, the paint industry has not been a stranger to the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, raw material shortages, and supply chain disruptions. The architectural coatings segment has actually seen some positive effects from the pandemic, as consumers spent more time at home and focused more energy and money towards do-it-yourself (DIY) home remodeling.