Low VOC Paints And Finishes

What this is

Volatile organic compounds are the solvents and carriers that evaporate out of a coating as it dries and, more slowly, for a period afterwards. Water-based and low-emission formulations release less of them. The label on a tin usually carries a content band, and reading it is the whole of the decision.

Telling when it matters

Strong smell that lingers for days after a room is finished is the obvious sign. It matters most in rooms that are small, that are hard to ventilate, that are slept in, or that will be redecorated over a short period. A whole house painted in a fortnight puts far more into the air at once than the same work spread across a year.

What the job involves

Choose the coating by the surface and the traffic it takes, then by emission band within that group. Prepare thoroughly, because low-emission coatings are less forgiving of dusty or glossy surfaces than solvent-heavy ones. Ventilate while working and keep ventilating for several days afterwards, since the release continues well past the point where the surface feels dry.

Things to watch

Low emission is not the same as no emission, and it says nothing about how hard-wearing a coating is; check both. Water-based finishes generally need more coats and a longer period before the film reaches full hardness, so leave furniture off a newly painted surface longer than the touch-dry time suggests. Store part-used tins sealed and away from living space.