Low VOC, No VOC, Non-Toxic Paint: What’s The Difference?

When it comes to painting your home, you may think you have an easy task before you. All you need to do is find the best colors, choose the most affordable paint, and get the job done.

However, there is more to choosing paint than just the color.

It is important to remember that paints can actually be hazardous to your health. Many paints contain VOCs, Volatile Organic Compounds, which can cause health problems for years to come. That is why many manufacturers are creating low VOC, no VOC, and non-toxic paint.

What is Low VOC Paint?

Even when paint is advertised as being “no VOC,” it still contains some level of toxins.

Non-toxic, or natural paints, are made from natural ingredients and minerals, such as water, clay, chalk, plant dyes, and essential oils. Natural paints are, by far, the safest option for the overall health of you and your family.

No VOC paints contain VOCs in the range of 5 grams/liter or less. So, while they do contain some level of VOCs, they are legally able to tout themselves as being free of VOCs.

Low VOC paint is just that – they are low in VOCs. These types of paints are still a fairly safe option because they utilize water instead of petroleum-based solvents. This means that the paint will have minimal odor, so it will release a minimal amount of VOCs into the air. If you choose this type of paint, it is still important to vacate the area after painting until it is dry and the odor is gone.

Knowing the difference between these three types of paints will help you choose the best and safest paint for your home. Remember: even if you have to pay a little bit more, you cannot put a price on the health of your family.