A lesson in education refurbs
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Schools, colleges and universities all have a unique set of requirements when it comes to their interior paint. Whether that be durability, ease of cleaning or the colours available to promote well-being and productivity, read on as we give some top tips for tackling a project within the education sector.
Colour psychology
Colour has long been proven to have a measurable impact on people and their well-being. Within education, it can help to create calm, welcoming and positive spaces that encourage student productivity.
When choosing a colour for a classroom, you need to find a balance between a space being bright and welcoming, without becoming overstimulating. As a general rule of thumb, cooler colours, like green, blue, grey or violet, have all been shown to promote calm and a feeling of well-being, whereas brighter colours, such as yellows, can encourage creativity and engagement.
Green tones in particular are useful for relaxing the nervous system and lessening feelings of stress, in addition to aiding communication and the development of speech skills. This makes it a good choice for spaces where reducing stimulation is a high priority, such as those where students with ADHD, autism or who experience hypersensitivity are studying.
Colour psychology was put into practice by our team when working on Hill Park School, a special education school in Brighton.
Physical wellbeing
It’s also important to consider the physical wellbeing of those using a space, with some paints containing potentially harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). For this reason, you should look for paint brands with lower VOCs, like most water-based paints. The globe classification label can help you identify these products, with classifications ranging from ‘Very High’ (more than 50% VOC content) to ‘Minimal’ or ‘Trace’ (0% - 0.29%).
Durability and cleaning
There’s far more to paint than the colour. Surfaces, like walls, also need to be able to withstand the daily wear and tear from heavy footfall, including the inevitable scuffs, scratches and spillages.
With the buildings in near constant use, education refurbishments are often limited to weekends or school holidays. As such, any way in which maintenance schedules can be extended will be hugely valuable. By looking for paints that offer long-lasting performance and durability, as well as stain resistance and scrubbability, you can help meet this need.
Look for products with an ISO Class 1 scrub rating, like our Valspar Trade Tough Matt, able to be easily cleaned with a mild detergent solution, all with no visible damage to the finish.
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Durability and cleaning
There’s far more to paint than the colour. Surfaces, like walls, also need to be able to withstand the daily wear and tear from heavy footfall, including the inevitable scuffs, scratches and spillages.
With the buildings in near constant use, education refurbishments are often limited to weekends or school holidays. As such, any way in which maintenance schedules can be extended will be hugely valuable. By looking for paints that offer long-lasting performance and durability, as well as stain resistance and scrubbability, you can help meet this need.
Look for products with an ISO Class 1 scrub rating, like our Valspar Trade Tough Matt, able to be easily cleaned with a mild detergent solution, all with no visible damage to the finish.
