Paint is meant for much more than just beautifying structures, and that’s where high-performance coatings come into play. Particularly, correctional institutions are high on the list of establishments in need of long-lasting coatings. Coating selections should be well-researched and backed up by case histories and test data to ensure facility owners receive the best quality products for their project, particularly when long lifecycles are required.

Coating performance is very important in correctional facilities, including jails and prisons, as they are subjected to daily wear and tear and abuse from residents. This is especially evident with cell walls, shower areas, floors in the cafeteria, and in common areas. A correctional facility is seldom taken out of service and once populated with inmates, it is extremely difficult to coordinate even minor repairs. Each coating selection for the job must be carefully considered and chosen based on the performance requirements of the environment.

For interior cell walls made of concrete masonry units (CMU), consider utilizing a coating system that begins with a waterborne cementitious acrylic block filler followed by a high-solids epoxy to provide a high-build film for excellent protection. To finish, consider a waterborne aliphatic urethane topcoat that is highly resistant to staining, abrasion, and cleaning chemicals. It is advantageous to confirm these coating attributes through testing and compare the results with other manufacturers being considered for the project.

Floor coatings are of equal importance in correctional facilities, especially in shower environments that are wet and humid. Aggregate-reinforced epoxy floor systems are often used in these areas as they provide excellent durability and can be textured for slip resistance. Typically installed by either a double broadcast of aggregate into the wet epoxy coating or as a loose slurry mix of aggregate and epoxy resin, these systems are then often top-coated with a thin grout coat of epoxy. An optional finish coat of epoxy or aliphatic polyurethane can then be applied for added protection. For correctional kitchen floors subjected to hot liquids, physical damage, and frequent cleanings, urethane-modified concrete is an excellent choice. Often applied as a thick floor topping in one fast application, these durable products are also low in odor, limiting disruptions to the facility.

High-performing products are also key for shower and kitchen walls. CMU walls can be made smooth with an initial prime coat followed by a parge coat of epoxy resurfacer. The fiberglass mat is then laid into the wet epoxy and further saturated with epoxy coating. Once cured, various epoxy or aliphatic urethane topcoats can be applied for additional abrasion, stain, and chemical resistance. These systems are extremely durable and make maintenance easier by eliminating masonry grout lines and withstanding aggressive cleaning techniques. Utilizing a high-performance, 100% solids fiberglass-reinforced epoxy for the wall coating will provide protection against acids, alkalis, and physical abuse while limiting downtime.

With so many options for coatings in correctional facilities, it’s important to weed out the lesser-performing products and focus on true high-performance coatings. To learn more about coatings used in the correctional market, please contact your local Tnemec representative or review our project profiles that highlight correctional applications that illustrate long-term durability.