By Mackenna Moralez, Assistant Editor

When it comes to painting projects in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, facilities managers must make a series of critical decisions. They need to narrow their priorities on materials and choose a product that not only has longevity and cleanliness but also will help ensure the finished projects will contribute to patient health. In this manufacturer roundtable, Healthcare Facilities Today asked experts to discuss painting issues mangers should prioritize when planning paint and coating applications.

When it comes to paint choices, what factors should facilities managers in healthcare facilities prioritize?

One priority for professionals is to look for coatings that make the painting and maintenance process easier, but always keeping in mind the impact this has on customers, including technologies that support wellbeing in a space.

— Rick Watson, director of product information and technical services, Sherwin-Williams

Health and hygiene should be the top priorities when it comes to choosing paints and coatings for healthcare facilities. In patient areas, it’s now more important than ever to design spaces outfitted for contactless services and effective sterilization — a need which also extends to what healthcare facilities choose to put on their walls.

— Brian Osterried, senior product manager and technical lead, PPG Copper Armor

Paint product selection is so important for the longevity of the finish. Cleanliness is, of course, of the utmost concern in healthcare facilities, so facilities managers should be looking at a product with burnish resistance that can hold up to frequent cleaning without losing gloss or sheen.

Healthcare facilities have high-traffic circulation spaces, so they also need a product that can hold up performance. Patient rooms and spaces like waiting rooms not only get a lot of traffic, but they also are in regular contact with rolling furniture, equipment, and human touch.

— Paul Baik, product manager, Behr Paint Co.

Facilities managers are responsible for keeping the facility safe and looking fresh and clean for people occupying those spaces regularly. Minimizing cost while managing long-term upkeep, durability and health and safety of a facility is a balancing act that facility managers need to perform when painting these spaces. Paints that require extra work, unforeseen issues and frequent maintenance are the worst choices. They should look to avoid inexpensive and discount brands because that will result in constant re-painting and increased cost. Facility managers in healthcare facilities should prioritize paints that are durable, easy to clean, low odor and low or zero VOCs to ensure the safety of the painter and people occupying those spaces.

— Alfredo Valiente, product marketing manager, commercial and professional brands, Benjamin Moore

Mackenna Moralez is assistant editor of Healthcare Facilities Today.