Specifying paint for the healthcare sector can be a complex task. In this article, we provide advice that can help you to make informed decisions – including the different paint finishes available and where to use them, the benefits of colour matching, and how to improve sustainability.
What are the best paints for the healthcare sector?
The primary considerations when designing healthcare settings are hygiene and durability. The likes of hospitals, care homes and doctors’ surgeries are incredibly busy places and the paint on the walls needs to be able to withstand the high traffic and promote good hygiene too.
There are some standout products to consider for this sector, including:
Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt stands out for its ability to withstand wear and tear, offering superior scuff resistance that is ideal for areas prone to damage. The paint is also formulated with a cleanable matt finish and offers good stain resistance. If you are looking for the ultimate scuff resistance in high traffic environments, such as entry ways, waiting rooms and corridors, choose Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt.
Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt stands out for its in-film bactericide, which inhibits bacteria and reduces populations of MRSA and E. coli. When combined with appropriate cleaning practices, it helps to promote a more hygienic environment. This paint is also water-based and formulated with a tough, scrubbable, and stain-resistant matt finish. Choose Dulux Trade Sterishield Diamond Matt if you are looking for a durable and hygienic solution for all normal interior wall and ceiling surfaces.
How should I approach colour selection within healthcare settings?
Colour selection is critical to creating a healing and comfortable environment for patients, staff, and visitors. To ensure the right shades are chosen, always consider the function of the room and how you want people to feel within it. For example, calming shades like pale blues, soft greens and pastel lilacs are ideal in bedrooms and waiting areas as they can promote relaxation. However, more saturated hues that feel livelier and more upbeat might be better suited to activity areas or spaces for play in children’s wards.
The lighting in the space is also an essential consideration, as it can significantly impact how a colour is perceived. We always recommend testing the preferred colour choices within the room before committing, to make sure the vision and the actual result align.
For help with colour selection, there are a number of tools and services available. The Dulux Trade Colour of the Year collection is a great starting point as it provides a range of ready-made palettes that consist of calm, uplifting and warm colours. The Dulux Trade Colour Schemer is also a great tool for creating colour schemes for your project – and you can order colour chips to give the products a trial run. You can also request bespoke advice and support from the Dulux Trade Colour Commercial Services team.
How should I clean surfaces that have been painted?
Painted walls should be gently cleaned using mild soap, warm water and a soft sponge. Gloss or semi-gloss paint, which is typically used for trim, is generally the easiest to clean because of its smooth surface, which makes it more difficult for dirt and dust to adhere to.
However, developments in technology mean that matter paints are becoming more resistant to marks and dirt. For example, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt contains stain repellent technology that makes it highly scrubbable. It achieves Class 1 ISO 11998 and Type C BS 7719 scrub ratings and is tested to withstand up to 10,000 scrubs, meaning walls can be easily cleaned and maintained over time.
How can I minimise the environmental impact of redecoration work?
Sustainability is high on the agenda for our industry. Within the decorating trade, there are numerous ways to meet a project’s environmental goals including:
- Opting for water-based paints with lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content for walls and trim. This can significantly reduce emissions and provide a more sustainable solution that is just as good as or even better than solvent-based alternatives. Thanks to innovations in paint technology, there are now products on the market that are 99.9% VOC free[1] - such as Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, which delivers outstanding durability, as well as sustainability benefits.
- Recycling paint cans. Dulux Decorator Centre also offers a can recycling scheme that allows customers to return empty paint cans for free. The cans are processed and recycled into new products, contributing to a circular economy and reducing waste.
- Using more sustainable packaging solutions. For larger projects, using traditional 10L paint cans can result in a lot of waste. We now offer a selection of products in larger 170L containers to provide customers with the paint they need in more sustainable packaging. If they are used twice or more, the bulk units become a more sustainable packing solution than the 10L packs as they can be cleaned and refilled, so no packaging goes to waste.
[1] Based on in-can VOC content and measured in accordance with ISO 11890-2:2013