Commercial versus Industrial Painting
If you’re not a professional commercial painting contractor or industrial painter, you might use the terms “commercial painting” and “industrial painting” interchangeably. Isn’t it a commercial painter’s job to paint businesses, and isn’t all commercial painting industrial?
Well, yes and no. Even though both terms deal with appearance-related maintenance, commercial and industrial painting describe two different industries, each of which requires a unique skill set and fulfills a specific need for your business. Obviously, it’s important to be able to discern between the two if you’re considering hiring one of them!
The Firm, a nationwide provider of all sorts of maintenance services, explains the details that separate these two terms below.
Commercial Painting: Where Aesthetic is Key
Commercial painting describes the approach taken by painting companies to building maintenance where customers will be present. Durability and longevity of the painting job is still a top concern, of course, but that concern exists alongside a desire to create a brand-affirming, eye-catching final product. Like industrial painting, commercial painting is a term that can be used to describe exterior painting jobs, though some firms will also use it to refer to interior ones, as well. It really comes down to the individual business.
What are some specific services that might be covered under the term “commercial painting?” Again, all maintenance services firms are individuals, but a few common things you might expect from a commercial painting company are:
● Working while customers are around. Depending on the extent of the commercial project, many commercial painters must do their jobs while customers and employees are still in the building. If the task is too big, or if logistics become a problem, the business might need to close down to give the commercial painter time to work safely.
● Painting graphics. Commercial painting businesses like The Firm know the importance of a professional, cohesive appearance. It’s for this reason that some industry professionals also specialize in painting graphics, both on the inside and outside of businesses. The primary goal of commercial painting is to enhance the appearance of any given firm, and painting logos or other brand-affirming images is a great way to achieve that goal.
● Working with commercial businesses. Generally speaking, commercial painters tend to work with commercial businesses—businesses that deal with commerce, with selling the items that industrial businesses produce. A notable example of a commercial business is retail stores. Since the primary goal of commercial painters is to create a pleasing brand image for customers, they often work in businesses wherein first hand interaction with said customers occurs.
It’s important to note that the above statements serve as generalizations. Because the terms industrial and commercial painting describe such similar things, some businesses offer commercial painting services under the name of industrial painting services, or vice versa. Always get at specifics when speaking with any painting firm, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Industrial Painting: Where Durability is King
In contrast to commercial painting, firms that offer industrial painting are often tasked with painting industrial firms and equipment. Therefore, the durability and longevity of the job weigh a little heavier on the industrial painter’s mind than does how brand-affirming the final product is. This doesn’t mean that industrial painters have little concern for aesthetic; it just means that, since the safety of the business’s employees hinges on the quality of the painter’s work, that that painter concerns themselves primarily with functionality.
The lines that separate industrial painting services and commercial painting services are blurry. As stated above, don’t be afraid to ask your potential hire questions! However, many industrial painters:
● Paint for safety. OSHA regulations say that all workers legally require a safe place to do their jobs. Brightly painting metal catwalks, rigging, high-rise equipment, and storage tanks can serve as a warning to workers to watch their step. Industrial painters often handle these safety-related jobs.
● Paint with extremes in mind. While commercial environments are relatively sheltered to ensure the comfort of the customers, industrial environments can be subject to anything from temperature extremes to repeated mechanical abuse. The industrial painter must take the environment into consideration a little more than the commercial painter, and must adjust the type of paint and color used accordingly.
● Paint in industrial settings. Industrial businesses tend to deal with production and manufacturing and find themselves in need of painters that can help create a safe, efficient work environment—hence the need for industrial painters. An example of an industrial setting is a factory.
In Need of Painting Services? The Firm has You Covered
We’re a commercial maintenance company with a team experienced in all sorts of paint jobs. No matter where your business falls on the commercial-industrial painting spectrum, we’ve got the personnel you need to get the job done. Give The Firm a call today at 1-833-347-6411.