Middle Eastern consumers are a lot more daring and bold when it comes to décor and colour choices, as a result sales of metallic paints and paint effects are much higher in the region than elsewhere in the world, said an industry expert.

Homeowners in the region show a preference for metallic tones that enhance architectural features and create an inspirational look and feel, added Amna Mirza of Caparol’s Colour Design Studio in Dubai.

Caparol develops, produces and markets high quality paints, enamels, glazes, structural coatings, materials for facade and insulation technology.

“Our Metallocryl range is environmentally friendly, low odour, low VOC, water based, tintable, and washable. It also offers excellent colour retention and can be applied easily over plain surfaces, textured finishes as well as the Caparol wall coverings range,” Mirza said.

“We see our Metallocryl range being extensively used in residential buildings, especially in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. It is also used a lot in commercial spaces such as shopping malls, showrooms, boutiques, restaurants, clubs and office spaces.

“In commercial spaces we find clients like to use Metallocryl on architectural features such as columns, arches, niches, wood carvings, cornices and accent walls. This really creates a dramatic and up market effect.”

“What differentiates our product from other brands is that our metallic finishes are based on ELF technology that emits very low VOC. They are therefore environmentally friendly and not hazardous to human health,” she added.

Caparol recently became a member of the Emirates Green Building Council, which is working towards making the UAE a global leader in reducing ecological footprint of the built environment by 2015.

“In short, the Metallocryl range is the most economical way of ‘glamorizing’ a wall. If you consider a wall as an outfit, metallics can be used as an accessory to enhance the entire look but adding elegance and sparkle,” Mirza concluded.

Metallocryl was used on the Allianz Arena and the BMW Museum in Munich. It has also been used on the CaixaForum in Madrid. – TradeArabia News Service