If you’re planning to hire a painting company for your business, you must know which type of paint job you require and hire accordingly. You may have heard the terms “commercial painting” and “industrial painting” while searching for the right contractor. But what do these terms mean? Aren’t they the same thing? Commercial and industrial painting is quite different, and your chosen service will depend on your unique business. Commercial painting is based mostly on aesthetics. You want your business to look good and appeal to customers.

On the other hand, industrial painting is based mostly on durability. You may need your paint job to withstand harsh conditions and elements. In this post, we will go into more detail on both types of paint jobs and their major differences so you’ll know which kind of painting service to choose for your facility.

Commercial Painting

When hiring a painting company, you likely picture a commercial paint job. Commercial painting is similar to residential painting (painting a home) but on a larger scale, where you want the most aesthetically pleasing results possible. Businesses that deal with a lot of foot traffic from customers will require a commercial paint job – companies such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and offices, to name a few. An updated commercial paint job will make a great first impression on your customers and create a pleasant consumer experience. Think about your current business space. Is the paint cracked or peeling and faded from the sun? Need to be updated? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions and have customers who frequent your business, then you require a commercial paint job. Customers are more likely to visit and spend more when a property looks good. When considering a paint job for your business, consider the mood you’d like to set. For example, a fancy, romantic restaurant will have different needs than a retail store selling children’s clothing. Consider your brand or logo design when choosing a colour scheme. Lastly, pay attention to the exterior of your building! The outside of your business is the first thing a customer sees when passing by, and you’ll want it to look its best. Exterior painting for a business facility falls under the category of commercial painting.

What type of paint might be used for a commercial paint job?

While a few different types of paint can be used for a commercial paint job, high-quality latex paint is one of the best. Latex paint is easy to apply and quick to dry, meaning you won’t have to wait as long to reopen your business (if applicable). Latex paint is also easy to maintain – it can be easily wiped clean, making it a good choice for areas with high foot traffic. Also, latex paint has no odor and therefore is best for anyone with odor sensitivities or respiratory issues, which is something to keep in mind when dealing with an array of customers.  

What are some considerations when hiring a commercial paint company?

Again, commercial painting follows the same basic principles as residential painting but on a larger scale. Compared to painting a home, a business’s ceilings may be higher, or there may be more irregular surfaces, nooks, and crannies to tape off and work around. The size of the project will affect the number of painters involved and the materials and equipment needed to be as efficient as possible. Often, a business will still be open during painting and renovations, so painters may need to work around customers and consider that people will be present. A good commercial painting company and its employees will be respectful and undisruptive during business hours or devise a schedule where they will be working after hours. The company you hire should deliver quality results within the scheduled time.  

• How many years of experience do you have in commercial painting? Look for a company with experience and expertise in the specific type of job you’ll need to be done.
• Are you insured? Accidents do happen while on the job, and you need to know that your contractor has their employees covered in case of a workplace injury. Only hire a company with the appropriate insurance.
• Can I get a quote? A company should be able to give you an accurate and reasonable quote for the work they’ll be doing.  
• What products do you use? Especially if your painters will be working next to the public, it’s important to know that the paints they choose to work with are non-toxic and don’t contain any hazardous substances.
• Do you have any references? Ask for references from previous jobs or check for online reviews of the company. This is a great way to gauge the quality of work and customer service you will receive.

Industrial Painting

An industrial paint job is focused on durability and function instead of aesthetics. So while no one wants a paint job that looks bad, appearance is not the ultimate goal of an industrial paint job. Industrial painting is often considered protective and won’t be seen by customers or the general public. It is common in buildings such as warehouses or manufacturing factories. In these businesses, the paint may need to withstand harsh conditions such as extremes in temperature, chemicals, or corrosion. The industrial painting also includes painting machinery and vehicles such as cars, aircraft, and boats or architectural structures such as bridges.  

What type of paint might be used for an industrial paint job?

Typically, oil-based paint will be used for an industrial paint job. Oil-based paint takes a little longer to dry, but it creates a far more durable finish than latex paint. Oil-based paint can withstand extreme temperatures and humidities, an important factor for industrial painting. Oil-based paints are heavy-duty and can be harder to keep clean than latex; however, they can stand up to scrubbing when needed. Often, a protective varnish will be applied to the dry paint to increase protection further.

What are some considerations when hiring an industrial paint company?

When hiring an industrial painting company, you’ll want to ask some of the same questions as you would for a commercial paint job. The painting company should have years of experience working in the industrial sector and be licensed and insured. You should receive a reasonable quote and a timeline for the project. Again, look for references and reviews from previous jobs. Even though the main purpose of industrial painting is not to be visually pleasing, this doesn’t mean your painters should do a sloppy job or not worry about aesthetics. Indeed, with projects such as architectural structures or vehicles, aesthetics do come into play as well as function.  

Some questions that are specific to industrial painting you may want to ask are:

• What safety training do your employees have? While safety should be a top priority for any painting company, it is especially important in an industrial setting where workers may come into contact with hazardous materials.  

When speaking with a potential company, pay attention to their professionalism and general courtesy, as this indicates the type of service you will receive.  

Painting your business is an investment; you’ll want it to be as successful as possible. It’s important to take your time to choose the correct contractors and hire the appropriate company for the unique job you need. Even though the terms “commercial painting” and “industrial painting” might seem similar initially, they are two very different jobs in different settings. You must know which type of contractor you need for your business before hiring. If you’re still having difficulty choosing which service you might need, ask yourself, “Do I want my area to look the best it can? Will customers regularly enter and spend time in my business? Am I picturing a paint job for the interior or exterior of my building, similar to a residential paint job?” If you answered yes to these questions, then it is a commercial paint job you are looking for. On the other hand, if you’re asking these questions, “Is my business not often seen by the general public? Does my space need extra protection from harsh elements? Is function more important than aesthetics?” Yes to these questions means you are looking for an industrial paint job. We proudly offer commercial and industrial paint services at Perry Wellington Painting Company in Winnipeg. Our passionate, hard-working team wants to work with you to meet your business needs. Don’t hesitate to call and request a quote!