by Shane Henson — September 4, 2013—The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has released AAMA 643-13, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Solar Reflective Finishes, which describes the test procedures and performance requirements for pigmented organic coatings applied to aluminum, fiber-reinforced thermoset or wood profiles for windows, doors, wall panels and similar products.
As AAMA notes, advances in coatings technologies for architectural products have provided the opportunity to expand the use of solar reflective coatings. The primary purpose for utilizing coatings with solar reflective properties is to keep the coated surfaces cooler than they would be with standard coatings.
“Since its development, cool coatings technologies have always been thought of as being strictly for roof coatings. As is the case with roofs, such coatings can be beneficial on the façade as well as window frames, railings, outdoor equipment enclosures and numerous other applications, as recent studies have shown,” said Manny Mayer, chair of AAMA’s Cool Coatings Task Group. “In order to specify such coatings for alternate purposes, AAMA’s Cool Coatings Task Group felt there was a need in the market place to provide a specification for manufacturers and architects to help in the evaluation and selection process of the best coating for the project.”
Additionally, AAMA 643 is intended to assist the architect, owner and contractor to specify and obtain factory-applied finishes that will provide higher than standard Total Solar Reflectance values and still maintain a high level of performance in terms of film integrity, exterior durability and general appearance over a period of many years.
