Guide for architects, engineers and project managers on preparing paint specifications. Standards, surface-based product selection and system selection tables.
In construction, a paint specification documents technical performance, product approvals and application conditions. Incomplete specs lead to early defects, warranty disputes and cost overruns.
| Area / Surface | Recommended System | Min. DFT | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior wall — residential | Water-based matt | 40 µm | EN 13300 |
| Wet area | High moisture-resistant water-based | 50 µm | EN 13300 |
| Exterior facade — plaster | Elastomeric acrylic | 80 µm | EN 1062 |
| Metal door/window | Alkyd enamel + anti-rust | 60+40 µm | ISO 12944 |
| Industrial floor | Epoxy 2K | 150 µm | EN 1504 |
| Steel structure | Epoxy anti-rust + PU | 80+60 µm | ISO 12944-C3 |
| Property | Exterior Min. | Interior Min. |
|---|---|---|
| Water tightness (w1) | < 0.1 kg/m²·h | — |
| Vapor permeability (sd) | < 0.14 m | — |
| Contrast ratio | ≥ 0.95 | ≥ 0.95 |
| VOC (Cat. A) | < 40 g/L | < 30 g/L |
Who prepares a paint specification?
Architects, project engineers or paint consultants. MST Paint's technical team provides free support for project-specific spec drafting.
What do ISO 12944 C3 and C4 mean?
C3 is urban industrial, C4 is coastal or heavy industrial. Coating system and DFT values change by environment class.
Are equivalent products accepted in specs?
Yes, using "approved equivalent" language with technical criteria (DFT, coverage, VOC, test certificate).
