Everything you need to know about VOC paint and Odorless Paint

Upon entering a room, what is the first thing you notice? Even without realizing it, you subconsciously gravitate towards the color of a room, whether it’s the centerpiece or the furniture. Painting is one of the most important aspects of designing a room. What do you know about the different types of house paints available?

It is surprising how often paint jobs are overlooked for something so important. Few homeowners paint their houses themselves today. The color that they want will probably just be told and someone will do the work for them. Although there is nothing wrong with it, as a homeowner, you must be aware of everything that comes inside your house for your safety, as some paint materials may contain hazardous 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

It’s not just about the colors when it comes to painting. In addition to aesthetic purposes, paint is also used to protect. Exterior house painting protects the house from natural elements such as rain and prevents the interior from wearing out. Painting can also prevent rust on metal surfaces.

Paint of any type, including VOC paint and odourless paint, is made up of three main components: the pigment, the binder, and the solvent. Pigments are metal compounds that give the paint its color. Titanium dioxide, for instance, produces white paint, iron oxide produces yellow, red, brown, or orange paint, and chromium oxide produces green paint.

Due to the solid nature of pigments, they do not spread evenly and do not adhere to surfaces. Binders bind pigments together, making them adhere to the surface to be painted. Oils or plastics can be used as binder.

It will be difficult to work with the thick mixture formed by pigment and binder. In order to make it thinner and less viscous, solvents are added. As the solvent evaporates into the air, the paint will be able to dry. If you notice an unpleasant smell after painting your walls, that is the solvent evaporating into the air.

You should know the composition of the paints you plan to use on your walls because the chemicals they contain may cause harmful effects to you and your family.

Types of Paint: VOC Paint and Odorless Paint

You may have come across the terms VOC paint and odorless paint when searching about paint. You can make better decisions when it comes to house painting if you know the difference between the two.

VOC Paint

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are added to many products such as gasoline, glue, correction fluid, colored markers, air fresheners, household cleaning supplies, and paint. Newly coated paint contains this chemical compound.

The VOC paints, however, contain unstable chemicals that release gasses that are toxic to people and the environment. As a result, they can negatively affect the air quality indoors and have health risks associated with them. It may cause headaches and irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat. It is possible that VOC components can cause cancer and damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver. 

Because of this, the government regulates the use of these additives in paint and other products. Paints containing significantly lower VOCs are being released by manufacturers. Please do not be easily persuaded, as some of them may simply be forms of marketing. ToCheck the labels and components of the product to be sure you’re buying low VOC paint.  Flat, latex, and oil-based paints with low VOCs have no more than 250 grams of VOCs per liter (g/l).

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

You can make better decisions based on the information you now have about paints. Doing all of this by yourself may seem overwhelming, however. Getting professional help will ensure that your results are both safe and aesthetically pleasing 

Singapore Waterproofing is one of the leading house painting contractors in Singapore. Through its excellent safety and aesthetic services, the company has built a strong clientele over the past nine years. Singapore Waterproofing also offers on-site analysis to determine the most suitable solution for 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. Singapore Waterproofing is a reliable company that delivers high-quality service every time.