Everything you need to know about VOC paint and Odorless Paint
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice? Maybe it’s the beautiful centerpiece or the furniture, but, even without knowing it, you subconsciously gravitate towards the color of the room. Paint jobs are one of the critical factors in designing a room. However, have you asked yourself how much you know about the different house paints out there?
For something so essential, paint jobs are commonly overlooked. At present, it is uncommon for homeowners to do the house painting themselves. They will probably just tell the color that they want and hire someone to do the work for them. There is nothing wrong with doing so, though, as the homeowner, you have to be aware of everything that comes inside your home for your safety, as some paint material may contain dangerous chemicals.
If you do not have the vastest knowledge when it comes to painting, do not worry. Here is a guide on the different types of paint available in the market, their safety, and some tips on using them.
All About Paint
There is more to paint than just the color. Aside from aesthetic purpose, paint is used as coats for protection. House painting is done to protect the exterior of the house from natural elements like rain and prevent the interior from wearing out. Paint can also be applied to metal surfaces to prevent rusting.
All types of paint, including VOC paint and odourless paint, are usually made of three main components: the pigment, the binder, and the solvent. Pigments use metal compounds to give color to the paint. For example, titanium dioxide produces the color white, iron oxide makes yellow, red, brown, or orange paint, and chromium oxide produces green.
However, pigments are usually solids, so it doesn’t spread evenly and stick to the surface. That’s why binders are used to glue the pigment particles together, making them adhere to the surface to be painted. Binders are either made from natural oils or synthetic plastics.
The combination of pigment and binder forms a thick mixture that will be hard to work with. Solvents are then added to transform it into a thinner and less viscous liquid. The solvent will then evaporate into the air, allowing the paint to dry. If you notice an unpleasant smell after painting your walls, that is the solvent evaporating into the air.
It is crucial for you as a homemaker to know the components of the paints to be put on your walls as the chemicals used for them may cause harmful effects to you and your family.
Types of Paint: VOC Paint and Odorless Paint
If you have searched about paint, you have probably encountered the terms VOC paint and Odorless paint. Knowing the difference between the two helps in making better decisions regarding your house painting needs.
VOC Paint
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound, an additive found in many products such as gasoline, glue, correction fluid and colored markers, air fresheners, household cleaning supplies, and paint. This component is partially responsible for the smell of newly coated paint.
However, VOC paint contains unstable chemicals that let off gasses, which are very harmful to people and the environment. Using them affects the quality of air indoors and may pose several risks to a person’s health. It can cause headaches and eye, throat, and nose irritation. At worst, VOC components may increase the risk of developing cancer as well as damages to the brain, kidney, and liver.
As a result, the government regulates the use of these additives in products, including paint. Manufacturers are releasing paint products that contain significantly lower volumes of VOC. However, do not be persuaded easily, as some of them may be just a form of marketing. To make sure you are purchasing Low VOC paint, check the labels and components of the product. Low VOC paints consist of no more than 250 grams per liter (g/l) of VOCs for flat and latex paint and 380 g/l for oil-based paint.
Odorless Paint
Another paint option in the market is odorless paints, which contain no volatile organic compounds in them. However, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Some odorless paint even uses no more than 5 g/l of VOCs during the paint tinting process. So, it helps to ask your retailer or research about the brands you are considering purchasing.
Aside from imposing fewer health risks, odorless paint works as well as VOC or low VOC paint. As its name suggests, odorless paint does not smell as strong because of the absence of VOCs. It dries quickly, provides excellent coverage, and offers a durable finish. Most importantly, it can be used for various surfaces.
As more people become aware of the disadvantages of VOC paint, odorless paint has become a popular choice for house painting jobs. It is easy to find and available in a wide range of colors.
Still, odorless paints have some downsides to it. More coats are necessary when using this type of paint to achieve the desired results. It is also a bit more high maintenance than VOC paints. It should be kept in a separate container and stored in a cool place. Also, surfaces painted with odorless paint should not be cleaned with any chemical-based cleaning products. Finally, this type of paint doesn’t contain fungicides, making them susceptible to micro-bacterial contamination.
House Painting in Singapore
Now that you have more information about paints, you can now create better decisions according to your needs. However, it may still be overwhelming to do this all yourself. Eliciting professional help will make sure you are getting results that are both safe and aesthetically pleasing.
M3 Multiservices Pte Ltd is one of the leading house painting contractors in Singapore. For 9 years, the company has built a strong clientele through its excellent services, both in safety and aesthetics. M3M also offers an on-site analysis to figure out the solutions that will best suit the needs of your property.
Aside from house painting, the company also offers other services such as waterproofing, minor works in construction, and other general contract work, to ensure that ceiling leak will not be a problem for a long time. M3M is a reliable company that delivers high-quality service every time.