If you ever notice the paint lane of any home improvement store, you will surely come across labels marked as low-VOC or no-VOC. Though often it is confused as the same genre, there are particular distinctions that you must know before selecting the paint for your residential or commercial space in Sydney.
But have you ever considered what exactly VOC is and why we want paint that has less VOC? So, before jumping to low or no VOC paints, let’s have a clear idea about VOC paint.
Understanding VOC Paint
Volatile organic compounds, or “VOCs,” are substances that, at room temperature, evaporate and release gas into the atmosphere and VOC paints contain this toxic chemical. These VOCs seep into the air in your house as soon as paint is applied to a wall. VOCs can be cleared from the air by having adequate ventilation, but they can also remain in your house long after the smell of fresh paint has faded.
Why Is VOC Paint Considered Harmful?
VOC paint can affect the air quality of your home and can be dangerous to your health by causing-
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Issues with breathing
- Severe asthma
- Teary eyes
- Blurry vision
- Cancer
The use of VOC has significantly reduced due to government rules, state laws, and growing public awareness. As toxic emission was higher in oil-based paints, companies are now manufacturing more water-based paints that has less VOCs.
What Is Low VOC and No-VOC Paint?
Low-VOC paint is designed to have a reduced amount of toxic compounds, which makes paints less harmful to indoor air quality. If you choose a VOC paint for the interior, it can contain up to 250 g/l VOCs for flat paint and 380 g/l for gloss, satin, and semi-gloss finishes. On the other hand, for flat paints, low VOC means the paint contains less than 50 grams per litre of VOCs, and for satin, semi-gloss, or gloss paints, it contains less than 100 grams per litre of VOCs.
No-VOC paint goes even further in minimising environmental and health impacts, containing less than 5 grams per litre of VOCs. This means any paint that has more than 5 grams of VOCs cannot be labelled as no-VOC or zero VOC.
Why Are Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Better Options?
As we already know the harsh effect of VOC paints on our lives, let’s look at how low-VOC or no-VOC can be considered better-
- These options produce fewer fumes and ultimately cause less odour in the surrounding area.
- It can be marked as environment-friendly as low-VOC or zero-VOC minimises environmental impact and doesn’t pose any environmental threat.
- It releases fewer compounds, which indicates fewer toxins and harsh effects on your health.
- Working with these paints is easier for both the painters and the ones who are living in the space.
Which Paint to Choose for Your Project?
As we have now finally reached the point of deciding the paint type, did you know VOC paints are the most durable and inexpensive if we consider the three options? Well, VOC can be used in heavy-duty areas, but with the amount of harmful effects it has to offer, it’s best to ask your professional painters in Sydney to use a VOC-free option. In this case, low-VOC paint can do the task as it has some VOCs, which will ensure the longevity of the high-traffic area while also not destroying the environment much.
But if you have any chemical sensitivity, it’s best to inform your painters beforehand. Expert painters will suggest no-VOC paint in this scenario as it is a great option for those who have respiratory problems or are sensitive to chemicals because it contains very few amounts of VOCs.
Well it can be a bit challenging to select the best paint by yourself when the concern is regarding VOCs compounds. So, to ensure safety hire experienced painting company for your project in Sydney.
