Nanotechnology is already making products better in the construction and home improvement market. One of the areas where nanotechnology has made tremendous impanct is in protective coatings for wood, stone, and drywall.

Companies are using nanoparticles of UV-absorbing substances such as zinc oxide in clear, protective coatings for wood that allow the wood to show through. Several companies, such as Antaria and Nanophase, are producing such products. For example, Anteria is using nanoparticles to make a clear wood coating that protects the wood from discoloration due to ultraviolet rays.


For buildings with siding created from a porous material like stone, a company called Nanoprotect has created a coating called Nanostone. This coating adds hydrophobic nanoparticles to the surface of porous material to give it waterproof properties to reduce buildup of mildew and even soot. They state that their product allows water vapor inside the structure to escape while blocking the entry of external water, reducing damage from trapped water.


Some companies are offering liquid products you simply paint on siding to provide both insulation and protection. Industrial NanTech, Inc., has an insulation product called Nansulate that is a nanocomposite liquid coating. When it dries, it provides exceptional insulation, as well as protection from corrosion, mold, and rust. If you apply Nansulate to interior or exterior walls, you can see a 20 to 40 percent savings in your energy usage.

BASF also has a paint product called Col.9 that keeps your house siding cleaner and helps it last longer than traditional paint.