What Are Low-VOC Paints? Pros, Cons and More

When shopping for paint, you need to consider more than color to make the best choice. There’s richness, coverage, and washability of the product. Plus, you need to decide whether a two-in-one product (paint and primer) is the more cost-effective option for your particular project.

Besides these, there’s another critical matter that needs your attention: the paint’s VOC content.

VOC content often indicates the “smell factor” of paint. However, there’s a lot more information you must learn about VOCs, including why many paint manufacturers now offer low-VOC alternatives.

Wondering how all this affects your home improvement project? We’ve created this guide for people who want to learn what low-VOC means in paint and why it can be a good choice for indoor use.

What Is Considered Low-VOC Paint?

To better understand this topic, we must first answer the question: “What does VOC stand for in paint?”

By definition, VOCs or volatile organic compounds come from liquid or solid products people use daily, including paint. They come in various concentrations, though they can be up to ten times higher indoors than outside.

These compounds often have strong odors and various adverse health effects, both short- and long-term.

Formaldehyde is the most common VOC in paint. However, there are a few other chemicals in paint products that are considered harmful, including:

  • 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
  • Benzene
  • Ethylbenzene
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Hexane
  • Methylene chloride
  • Sputum eosinophil
  • Styrene
  • Toluene
  • Xylene

The good news is that paint manufacturers now offer low-VOC or zero-VOC alternatives.

  • Paint products labeled “low-VOC” must contain less than 50 grams per liter of these organic compounds.
  • On the other hand, no- or zero-VOC paint may still contain some VOCs but at a very minimal level (no more than 5 grams per liter).

Remember that using more than one type of paint (e.g., when mixing colors) may increase the VOC content of the final product.

Health and Environmental Effects of VOCs

VOCs are pollutants that have various health and environmental consequences.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these organic compounds can affect human health in different ways. Some are considered highly toxic, and others have little to no known effect.

Those with known health risks can cause both simple and severe medical conditions, including headaches, respiratory infections, and cancer. Extended exposure can also lead to liver and kidney damage and adverse effects on the central nervous system.

VOCs also tend to linger in the air, causing indoor air pollution. They also contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases like ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate.

Zero- and Low-VOC Paint Benefits and Drawbacks

Because VOCs affect indoor environments, many paint manufacturers now offer customers low-VOC or no-VOC alternatives. This has several advantages, but it still comes with a few tradeoffs.

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed the following pros and cons of switching to zero- or low-VOC paint:

1. Pro: Fresher Indoor Air

Most people are familiar with the odor of fresh paint, but that doesn’t mean they like it or should endure smelling it. VOCs are the source of this smell.

Many paint products emit as much as 50 percent VOCs during the first year of painting. Although they will eventually disappear, VOCs remain indoors for several years, especially in poorly ventilated areas.

As previously mentioned, exposure to VOCs can cause discomfort and respiratory problems. Thankfully, low- and no-VOC options make applying paint and staying in a newly painted room much safer and more comfortable.

With their minimal VOC content, these paint products keep residents from inhaling dangerous fumes. In some cases, even newly applied no- or low-VOC paints do not have any foul odor at all.

Marmorino Decorative Paint

2. Con: Streakier

Because they contain fewer chemicals, one potential drawback of having minimal VOC in paint is the resulting appearance once applied. It is usually streakier, less smooth, and may have lower coverage compared to standard VOC paint.

Note, however, that low-VOC paint can serve as a compromise, as it tends to have brighter hues than zero-VOC alternatives.

Moreover, certain low-VOC paint products are formulated to have deep, rich colors when applied, even with just a single coat. Below is a perfect example:

Fresco Di Calce Decorative Paint

3. Easy to Maintain

Low-VOC paints also tend to be easier to clean and maintain, especially since most are water-based.

By using only soap and water, you can get rid of smudges, scuff marks, and even those amateur artwork kids put on the low-VOC painted walls. Depending on the product, you may also enjoy super smooth surfaces.

Digiboard Paint

4. Con: Relatively Higher Cost

If you plan to repaint an entire house, you may need some extra budget for low- or no-VOC paints. Of course, between the two, no-VOC products are priced much higher.

Also, since low-VOC paint is thinner and streakier, you may need to apply more coats than you usually would with standard VOC paint. That means you may need to use more product, especially if you want a vibrantly colored wall.

5. Pro: Longer-Lasting

Low-VOC paint can also last long — sometimes even longer than traditional VOC paint. Some low-VOC products are UV-resistant, too, which means they can remain vibrant even when exposed to sunlight for extended periods.

Stetx Decorative Paint

Make a Healthier Choice

Low-VOC paints offer a safer, healthier, and more eco-friendly option for your home. They improve indoor air quality, are easy to maintain, and can deliver lasting, vibrant results.

While they may cost more, their benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Choose low-VOC paints to create a beautiful space that prioritizes your well-being and the environment – because every brushstroke matters.

Need inspiration? Visit our virtual showrooms at Schemes to find the perfect hue for your next paint project.

CONTACT