Before you paint your home, you should know the different products available. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) contain compounds that participate in atmospheric chemical reactions. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, you should focus on zero VOC products. They don’t react with the elements of the air and cause fewer adverse effects to people at home. Let’s look at the advantages of zero VOC products for home improvement.
Guarantees cleaner air
As per the EPA report, the air in your house is more contaminated than the outside air. Since most oil-based paints are high on VOC, they can trigger throat, eye, and nose irritations. With low VOC products, you’re less exposed to allergies and chemical sensitivities. Of course, your family will be at a lower risk of nausea and other forms of air contamination.
They are odorless
Since low VOC products are water-based, they feature natural ingredients like plant oils, beeswax, water, essential oils, resins, and other natural products. For a product to be classified as zero VOC, it should have 5 grams of VOC per liter of paint. Most manufacturers strive to maintain 50 g of VOC.
When you smell new paint, you could be inhaling benzene, fungicides, ethylene glycol, and formaldehyde. Such products are can only worsen asthma symptoms or sinusitis. Once the solvents invade the lungs, they quickly find their way to the bloodstream. When in large quantities, the solvents can trigger dizziness, shortness of breath, and in rare cases, a blackout. If you want to avoid that strong smell that permeates your house after you apply a fresh coat of paint, you should go for low VOC paints.
Cost-effective
Most people are of the view that zero or low VOC paints are expensive, but this is not the case. The truth is that VOC paints cover two times more than conventional paints – this is where the cost-saving aspect comes in. However, depending on the nature of the wall, you may be required to apply two coats.
Easy to clean
Low VOC paints are great at dealing with dirt and hiding stains. Also, they are easy to clean – you just need soap or detergent. It’s what you need to hide those smudges and scuff marks. But there’s a caveat to this. Walls with low VOC paints should not be cleaned within 30 days of application. Plus, you should avoid using ammonia-based cleaning products.
Better for the environment
Low VOC products release fewer emissions to the atmosphere, and that’s what makes them a sustainable choice.
The Center for Green Building is a company that believes in protecting clients and the environment. Their products are eco-friendly and come at a competitive price.