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Understanding the approximate cost for water-based coating systems and how you can minimise them...
Determining the exact cost for a water-based wood coating system can be difficult due to the significant number of variables that need to be taken into consideration.
To provide an approximate outline for expected costs, see our breakdown below that provides typical price ranges and an explanation of why there are variations in price for these coatings.
What Is The Cost Of A Water-based Coating Primer?
Typically £4 - £6 per kg
The type of resin is the key driver of this range, whether a single-pack acrylic or a two-pack polyurethane.
Another variable to consider is the solid content of the primer. A higher solid content will provide better build characteristics and a more efficient application cost as more of the product remains on the substrate rather than evaporating into the atmosphere!
The additives that affect how easy the product is to sand also affect the price of the product for wood coatings. Paying slightly more for an easy-sand coating is likely to save a lot more on sanding consumables and labour costs.
Lower-cost primers may look attractive on a quotation, but may not provide a quality or cost-effective base for the optimum topcoat finish to be achieved.
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What Is The Cost Of A Water-Based Pigmented Topcoat?
Between £8 - £12 per kg
Topcoat costs are mainly dictated by application/curing properties, colour type/strength and durability performance.
Specialist additives for wood coatings can be included for brushing/rolling, improved flow, superior coverage on corners and edges, elimination of bubbling in high airflow situations etc. and these all affect the final product price.
Pigment strength and overall opacity have a big impact on the price. Bright and strong colours require more pigment to be added than light/pastel shades and are consequently more expensive. A low-cost product may have less opacity which could make a second coat necessary and therefore becomes less efficient due to more material and labour time being required.
If you are looking for optimum durability, a coating that has been approved by relevant industry bodies such as FIRA or SATRA is likely to of a higher cost due to the superior resins and additives used.
Related Article: '5 Most Common Concerns With A Waterborne Coatings System'
What Is The Cost Of A Water-Based Clear Lacquer?
Between £5 - £8 per kg
Similarly to primers, you are two very different ends of the spectrum.
If it is simply a clear lacquer that is required for aesthetic purposes only, then you can expect to pay towards the lower end of the scale.
If you are requiring BS 6250 Severe rated, FIRA Gold certified or the product will be exposed to high water and humidity, then you will be paying more towards the high end of the scale as it will be a more specialist lacquer that is required.
How Do You Minimise Costs With Water-Based Coating Systems?
There are a number of savings that can offset these costs and actually provide an overall saving on spending, particularly when looking at water-based wood coatings as a full system.
Single-pack products remove the cost of a hardener and also eliminate waste due to pot life issues.
Tap water is used for any dilution and cleaning which removes the cost of solvents for these purposes.
