Upon reflection

It's easy to see what a difference a coat of paint makes to a room most of us have undertaken projects of our own and we see many examples on home makeover shows. But can you also feel the difference a coat of paint makes?

With new EccoTherm¢ low-e paint from BM Pacific, the answer is yes. Thanks to sophisticated new paint technology from German inventor Gerd Hugo, EccoTherm reflects radiant energy, keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

But the technology has not been at the expense of aesthetics, says Barry Whalley, managing director of BM Pacific.

"EccoTherm not only saves energy, it is also beautiful to look at," he says. "Its satin shimmer reflects light differently according to the time of day and the direction and intensity of the light source. This produces subtle colour variations that can give walls a luminous vitality. It's also easy to alter the mood of a room simply by lowering the blinds or turning on a lamp."

Whalley says there is a new fan deck for the acrylic-based wall and ceiling finish, which features 40 soft, yet sumptuouscolours, available through Benjamin Moore Colourworks stores nationwide. In addition, there is another palette of 32 colours created by Aalto Colour, available at its stores nationwide.

And if you are wondering just how much difference a coat of paint can make to the temperature of your room, Whalley says EccoTherm can mean you turn the thermostat down as much as 2-4°C.

"EccoTherm can help to reduce the energy costs of a home quite significantly," he says. "The paint reflects approximately 30% of the radiant heat back into a room, compared with around 5% for standard paints. In summer that is reversed, with the heat remaining outside, so your home remains cool. Two coats of EccoTherm is all it takes."

For more information or details of your nearest dealer, contact BM Pacific, PO Box 19-289, Avondale, Auckland, freephone 0800 335 335. Or visit the websites: www.benjaminmoore.co.nz andwww.eccotherm.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas