Liquisol Helps Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer

It takes a significant amount of energy to keep homes cool during the summer months, and that can cost a lot of money. Many paint and coatings companies are working on ways to save on these costs by developing coatings that reflect sunlight, but Liquisol started working on these paints 16 years ago.

Based in Belgium, Liquisol has been specializing in formulating and manufacturing energy saving coatings since its beginnings in 2008, when founder Tom Huysmans brought the company’s first coating to a trade show to judge reactions to the idea. Huysmans’ background was ideally suited for developing reflective coatings.

“I studied electromechanics and was working in the window film industry, where we were looking for solutions because in nearly every warehouse they have skylights,” he said. “From that point on we started developing coatings and I founded Liquisol.

“The idea came from my practical experience,” Huysmans added. “Window film doesn’t really have a solution to it, as it is on flat glass and the film might harm plastic.”

The trade show went quite well, as attendees saw the possibilities.

“We started in 2008 at a trade show in Belgium to see the reaction of the people – they are very open-minded,” Huysmans recalled. “We had a lot of good reactions to that.”

Liquisol’s coatings reflect long-wave radiation, as 90% of the company’s solutions are designed for exteriors to reflect the heat of the sun.

“We started with one coating, and now we have a complete portfolio for the outside, from metal and brick walls to windows and all kind of roofs,” said Huysmans. “From the first version, we improved the solar reflectance properties and made them a little bit blueish from the inside. We currently have seven solutions as well as a cleaner.”

Liquisol’s flagship coating is Forever Blue, which is ideal for skydomes and skylights.

“We sell Forever Blue mostly for sky domes,” said Huysmans. “It is good for plastics, polycarbonates and other materials, and reflects infrared radiation while the light gently enters. Forever Blue has a little blue shine to it, as blue gives a better feeling for people.”

Liquisol develops and manufactures its solar control coatings in Belgium, and works with KU Leuven University to calculate the impact on interiors. The company does all of its testing independently.

Not surprisingly, the company’s carbon footprint is as small as possible. “We send our coatings out in pouches and then in cardboard, which is good for the environment,” Huysmans said.

Liquisol’s products are shipped directly to end customers and applicators, with Europe the largest market.

“Europe is still our biggest market, including Central Europe, Germany, France and Italy, and we have customers in the US,” Huysmans said. “The architectural market is our market. Our company is growing, as awareness of climate change is on the rise. People are realizing it is getting warmer and warmer with more heat waves. People should first make their buildings more energy efficient, and this will help.”

As for energy saving, Huysmans noted that there are a lot of parameters that have to be calculated, such as the number of skylights.

“People always ask how many degrees does the temperature drop,” he noted. “If it is 21°C inside your house and 30°C outside, you are sweating. When we measure directly under the skylight, it is a 10°C difference.”

Liquisol is continuously working on new developments. “We are now in the final phase of a liquid waterproofing coating and are always looking to develop more solutions,” said Huysmans.

It’s not just keeping heat out though. Keeping air conditioning inside also helps reduce costs, and Liquisol has that covered as well.

“We have Insul-8 Deco, an insulated coating, as well,” Huysmans said. “Energy was always quite cheap in the US and Middle East; in Europe we have to import all of our energy. We are always using insulating. You paint your walls with it and the AC reflects back in as it has aluminum particles.”