Finishes in the construction industry: integrated finishing lines for architectural elements

Finishing in the construction sector is becoming increasingly sophisticated and involves more and more architectural elements thanks to the use of advanced building machinery. These machines ensure that each component complies with customer standards and specifications, guaranteeing that substrates have the required physical, aesthetic and functional properties. This allows adaptation both for major contractors and for those seeking customisation.

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trends

What are the trends for finishes in the building sector?

Before diving deeper into the features of the best-performing finishing solutions for this sector, let’s take a look at how the market is evolving, where finishing and coating in construction play an increasingly central role.

We are looking at a market in which companies must meet growing demands for customisation and small batch production, implying a stronger focus on flexible and efficient finishing lines. There is also a growing need to improve the surface performance of manufactured products, ensuring durability and aesthetic value over time.

At the same time, finishing for the construction sector must guarantee long-term durability and value. This is why, in addition to aesthetic appearance, manufacturers are focusing on enhancing performance against external agents. This includes the development of construction coatings capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions (for external components) and protective layers with special properties – stain-resistant, scratch-resistant or ultra-durable (for interior elements).
In construction, examples abound, ranging from innovative solutions for coating steel to glass coating and finishing for fibre cement. 

Coating machinery for the construction sector: innovation in architectural finishing

Next-generation coating solutions and equipment play a key role in improving the efficiency and quality of architectural finishes. Automation and the integration of cutting-edge technologies have redefined traditional construction processes, enabling precise execution and consistent results that were previously unattainable.

Modern equipment optimises workflows by reducing manual labour and the error rate inherent in human activity, ensuring each manufactured item meets the highest quality standards.
This technological progress not only accelerates project timelines but also serves as a critical success factor in reducing waste, making the value chain on which the construction sector is based increasingly sustainable.
Moreover, the use of advanced solutions effectively expands the range of possibilities, opening up new scenarios and opportunities for operators in the sector, such as transforming concrete into decorative flooring – a concrete example of how simple materials can gain prestige through finishing.


The benefits of using automated machines and systems for building finishing

Integrating automated construction machinery, supported by software and IoT technologies, has the potential to literally revolutionise finishing in the construction sector. Thanks to sensors, machine-to-machine communication systems and real-time data analysis platforms, these systems allow for high-quality finishes on different materials, optimising various processing procedures – from wood to metal, fibre cement, glass and stone surfaces – while reducing waste in every application and increasing process sustainability.
Whenever builders or architects wish to implement complex shapes, they can rely on our solutions' ability to handle even the most intricate finishes.

In short, the new technologies applied to construction machinery and coating in construction offer four main advantages:

• Greater precision and uniformity, also due to a reduced human error margin.
• Reduction in manual labour, leading to significant time and cost savings.
• High-quality finishes with minimal waste, making the process even more sustainable.
• Increased productivity and efficiency, which can become critical success factors when it comes to winning new customers and contracts.

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Coating in the construction industry: advanced techniques and equipment

Let’s briefly explore some of the finishing methods currently used in the construction sector. Spray coating is renowned for its flexibility and ability to cover large areas with a uniform paint layer, making it ideal for various surfaces. Roller coating on the other hand, offers speed and product savings and is perfect for flat surfaces. Vacuum coating solutions, which like roller technology provide speed and savings, can also apply coating on all sides of the product: top surface, underside and edges.

Coating equipment in the building industry: choosing the right tools

When it comes to achieving a flawless finish in construction coating, choosing the right tools is crucial. The range of equipment, from spray coaters to roller machines and drying systems, is extremely varied. Each type of product offers its own features and performance characteristics, which will have a significant impact on the quality of the final result.

When comparing automatic spray machines, for example, it’s important to consider the priorities of the line to be set up, evaluating the models available based on adjustable spray systems, ease of cleaning, and solutions that improve efficiency and versatility. Investing in appropriate drying systems is essential to accelerate processing times and ensure finish quality and effectiveness.
By carefully assessing all of these tools’ features, professionals can develop integrated and consistent applications that meet industry standards and customer expectations.

Finishing technologies for construction: why choose Cefla

When forming partnerships with manufacturers of architectural components – whether for interior or exterior settings – the leading players in the construction industry prefer those who systematically focus on using advanced finishing technologies. Technologies like those developed by Cefla Finishing, whose integrated offering enables the adoption of cutting-edge coating solutions and machinery, even in existing production lines, making them more efficient. Backed by consultancy services based on proven specialised expertise, Cefla Finishing can also support any type of organisation throughout the innovation journey, covering every stage of the process to ensure quality finishes across a wide range of applications.


Finishing technology applications for the building industry

The construction sector relies on manufacturers of architectural elements for both indoor and outdoor environments. The adoption of advanced finishing technologies, such as those offered by Cefla, enables the integration of coating equipment into complete production lines. These cutting-edge solutions cover every stage of the process, ensuring high-quality finishes on a wide range of materials.

Materials

Technologies

Application fields

Below are some construction industry specific application areas and finished products

APPLICATIONS

01

Flat roof tiles and slates

Exposed to the elements, roof tiles and slates need to withstand harsh environmental conditions, so both functional and aesthetic characteristics are important. Correct finishing techniques for both aspects are essential.
02

Suspended ceilings

Suspended ceilings can be both sealed and coated on our machines. Vacuum sealing technologies for edges; spray coaters for when the panel surface is visible.
03

External wall covering

Wall coverings must withstand the elements, so their physical and chemical characteristics need to be considered in the coating process, as well as aesthetic factors.
04

Parquet

Finishing techniques for parquet differ according to their use once laid. Curtain coaters to add abrasion-resistant materials, industrial digital printers for a haptic effect are just 2 possible technologies.
05

Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware tiles can be decorated with our specially developed technologies. Equipment includes classical coating machines as well as industrial digital printers for limited runs and custom patterns.
06

Profiles and door profiles

Sanding, sealing and coating all sides of a moulding is a frequent process for profiles used in the building industry. They can be vacuum coated or spray coated in a continuous process.
07

Windows

Windows can be coated as assembled or non-assembled elements. Depending on this condition, we advise overhead spray-coating lines or vacuum coaters and impregnation solutions for non-assembled parts.
08

Panels

As a flat surface, most panels will be processed on roller coating machines applying basecoats and topcoats with intermediate drying/curing stages and sanding operations.
09

Wall coverings

Both sides and all edges of wall coverings can be processed on our finishing machines. This will entail vacuum, spray and roller coating technologies according to the task required and needs of the customer.
10

Syntethic flooring

LVT or SPC flooring can be coated on a roller coating line or with an industrial digital printer for greater flexibility and whenever tactile effects are required.
11

Ceramic panels

Depending on the desired effect, ceramic panels of most dimensions can be decorated using low temperature, high temperature and solid colour techniques.
12

Profiles and structural metalwork

Wrapping technologies for metal profiles, as well as vacuum coating methods, are the two most common solutions for these semi-finished products.

Discover some of the machines needed for finishes in the construction industry

machines

iGiotto

Materials:

  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Wood

Machine Type:

  • Spray coating

iBotic

Materials:

  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Wood

Machine Type:

  • Spray coating

J-Print TD

Materials:

  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Wood

Machine Type:

  • Digital Printing

MultiWrap Window

Materials:

  • Plastic
  • Metal

Machine Type:

  • Wrapping

iFlow

Materials:

  • Wood

Machine Type:

  • Spray coating

Case studies

Case study

We have helped hundreds of companies around the world achieve their quality, efficiency, and productivity goals. Here are their stories.
We have helped hundreds of companies around the world achieve their quality, efficiency, and productivity goals. Here are their stories.
01

Janneau Menuiseries discovers the beautiful side of automation

02

New-generation finishing technologies for Di Canosa

03

Acerplastica and the potential of industrial digital printing technologies

WHITEPAPER

Industrial digital printing has unlimited potential

Discover all the potential effects that you can obtain on different substrates thanks to digital printing. 

Download the White Paper
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Learn More

MAGAZINE

Explore the topic on our blog. You can find articles on technologies, innovative techniques, and tips to improve the efficiency of your finishing line.
Explore the topic on our blog. You can find articles on technologies, innovative techniques, and tips to improve the efficiency of your finishing line.
01
    Industry 4.0 and Digitization

UBIQUO service opportunities

02
    Industrial Digital Printing

Flooring? Enjoy a relaxing perspective

03
    Coating Technologies

Outdoor furniture from an insider point of view

For sixty years we have been innovators in the field of surface finishes.

We have already helped dozens of construction companies. We make our know-how available to you, to help you explore the latest finishing technologies for products used in the building industry.

Feel free to contact us to visit our 3000 sq.m laboratory and test your own components on our equipment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What are the advantages of roller coating?

High flexibility in terms of output rate and choice of cycles/processes according to the line make-up.

Zero solvent emissions thanks to 95% use of products with high dry residue (UV) content.

Possibility of using the roller technique for any application on all flat surfaces.

02 What are the advantages of spray coating?
Firstly, spray coating ensures all sides of the piece are covered. Secondly, the product shape is unimportant and, since it is not a contact-type coating, different tolerances between products are compensated for automatically.
03 What are the advantages of vacuum coating?
This technology has many benefits. To start with, transfer efficiency reaches an astonishing 99%. Vacuum coaters have a limited footprint, so they occupy little factory space. Production efficiency is optimised because by using a vacuum coater, 360° sanding, coating and curing of a profile is dealt with in a single pass. Overspray is absent and the process is environmentally friendly. Coating thicknesses are high and, for example, can reach 700 µm on glass wool panels.
04 What are the advantages of drying?
Let's talk about the advantages of the whole finishing process, which includes lacquer application and drying. The "finished" item ends up with improved resistance and protection from external agents, as well as a better aesthetic presentation.
05 What does digitizing my factory mean?
Firstly, digitizing your factory means converting production processes by moving away from traditional systems towards highly automated, interconnected ones that also act as a rich data source. As we see it, this digitization makes sense if it allows your company to remain competitive, cut costs and maximise profits.
06 How can I know whether the coating system will cause problems after assembly?
Our unique know-how allows us to process all operational data and extrapolate from it the tasks needed to pro-actively improve the output of coating processes and ensure their stability and repeatability.  Note also that our extensive experience in the field gives our solutions exceptional efficiency.