As their name suggests, what differentiates thick film and thin film coatings is that thick film coatings are much denser. They also have a lower expansion rate, a ratio of around 5:1 compared to thin film coatings which expand at a rate of approximately 50:1. Thin film coatings are usually the industry standard as they are suitable for buildings where fire resistance regulations (specified by Approved Document B) are either 30, 60 or 90 mins. Conversely, thick film coatings are mostly used in industries that require working with extreme temperatures such as the petroleum industry. Finally, in comparison to their thinner counterparts, thick film coatings are often used in projects that require intumescent coatings to have a decorative finish.