Natural Building Technologies is working to raise awareness of the importance of specifying the most appropriate paint finish in an age where the highest levels of air-tightness and breathability are being achieved. Developers run the risk of reducing the breathability of the building fabric if a vapour-closed paint is applied either internally or externally.

Responding to market demand, NBT has developed its range of high quality Eco Trade paints to complete its breathable Pavatex insulation and Thermoplan masonry block systems. The vapour-open and hygroscopic properties of all NBT systems naturally regulate moisture to protect the building fabric while offering excellent levels of thermal and acoustic performance. These systems are used in combination with natural vapour permeable plasters and renders to create a wholly ‘breathable’ structure.

However, the ‘breathability’ of a building can be severely jeopardised by applying some mainstream paint products, the majority of which are vapour closed and so form a barrier, trapping moisture at the wall surface. To avoid this, a vapour-open NBT Eco Trade paint can be applied to work in combination with the breathable wall system by preventing interstitial and surface condensation through the effective absorption and dispersion of moisture.
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