Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs, can be disconcerting in floor coatings, paint, and sealers. We know that VOCs in general are not good, but what are they exactly? How do they affect which garage floor coating or sealer you should use? Are epoxy floor coatings or sealers that contain VOCs safe for use in a garage, basement, or in the home?
We feel it is important that you understand what VOCs are and how they relate to floor coatings and sealers in general. As a result, our goal is to remove any mystery surrounding VOC content. We will discuss how they are measured and where they are listed. In addition, we will explain what qualifies as no VOC and low VOC content.
We will also cover safety precautions, regulations around VOC content, and other factors to consider when choosing a paint, coating, or sealer for your garage, home floors, or basement.
What are VOCs and How Do They Contribute to Coatings and Sealers?
In short, Volatile Organic Compounds are potentially harmful carbon-containing materials that are released as gases or vapors from specific solids or liquids. You can find the EPA explanation of VOCs here.
Severe exposure to VOCs can cause dizziness, headaches, eye, nose, and throat irritation, and worsening asthma symptoms. Long-term exposure can cause decreased lung function, cancer, kidney and liver disease, and central nervous system damage.
VOCs for garage floor coatings, paint, and sealers are found in solvents. When applied to concrete, these solvents evaporate at different rates depending on room temperature.
Solvents play an important role in the performance of garage floor coatings and paint. They act as a carrier agent for resins, pigments, and curing agents. They reduce viscosity for longer working times, better product penetration, and superior adhesion.
They also enable higher-performing formulations and denser coatings. This results in superior abrasion resistance for longer wear, higher chemical and stain resistance, and glossier finishes.
Solvents in concrete sealers provide better penetration into the substrate. In addition, they can carry a high percentage of active ingredients and encourage a more consistent reaction with the minerals in concrete. This typically leads to better performance and longer-lasting results, depending on the sealer type.
Remember, concrete coatings and concrete sealers are different. If you are unsure, we suggest reading our article on garage floor sealers to learn the difference.
How VOC Content is Measured in Units for Coatings and Sealers
The number of VOCs contained in floor coatings, paint, and sealers is expressed as grams per liter or g/l. You can find the VOC content in the Technical Data Sheets (TDS or PDS) for the product. You can learn where to find this information in our article that explains how to review data sheets for coatings and sealers.
In addition, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) will list any hazards identified. Examples include, but are not limited to, storage recommendations, skin contact, swallowing, and exposure.
The MSDS will also contain the Composition/Information of any hazardous ingredients. This includes VOCs. Non-hazardous ingredients are not required to be listed.
Regulations for VOC Content in Garage Floor Coatings and Sealers
Admittedly, regulations for the number of VOCs allowed for floor coatings and sealers can be confusing. You may have wondered why you can buy a certain garage floor coating or concrete sealer in one state but not another.
This begs the question: Who sets VOC content regulations for floor coatings and sealers, and why do they vary?
In 1988, the EPA established the Architectural and Industrial Maintenance Coating rule. Also known as the US National AIM Rule, it limits allowable VOC emissions under the Clean Air Act.
The Act states that VOC content for floor coatings shall not exceed 400 g/l. Concrete sealers are limited to 700 g/l. It is the default rule that all states must follow if they don’t have their own set of rules. It seems simple enough. However, certain states and other multi-state organizations have set their own rules.
One multi-state organization created under the Clean Air Act is the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC). It established stricter rules for the Northeast based on coating categories. Another is the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium, or LADCO. It comprises five states near the Great Lakes region, including Michigan.
Then there is the California Air Resources Board, or CARB. It limits VOC emissions even further than the previous organizations. On top of that, a select region within California called the South Coast Air Quality Management District, or SCAQMD, sets even stricter limits. It has the highest VOC restrictions of any organization.
What are considered low VOCs for coatings, paint, and sealers?
Surprisingly, with the EPA, individual states, and other multi-state organizations involved in setting VOC limits, none has established a ruling on what qualifies as low VOC.
However, many non-regulatory bodies and organizations such as Green Seal have determined that any floor coating, paint, or sealer with less than 50 g/l VOC is considered low VOC. Paints or coatings with less than 5 g/l are considered no VOC. Such paints, coatings, and sealers typically have a very low odor or no odor at all.
Unfortunately, almost all garage floor coatings, paints, and sealers that are considered low VOC are water-based. Water-based floor coatings and paints (not sealers) are typically lower-performing products. They lack the solvents needed to create a higher-performing formula, and that’s the tradeoff.
One exception is commercial-quality 100% solids coatings. Epoxy, polyurea, and polyaspartic coatings are examples.
100% solids content means the coating contains no solvents or water. 100% of the product is deposited onto the concrete to cure. None of it evaporates into the atmosphere. As a result, 100% solids floor coatings are considered no VOC.
Lastly, some high-performing concrete sealers and densifiers are water-based and do not require solvents. Unlike film-forming coatings, they penetrate the concrete surface to react with the minerals. As a result, they perform best without solvents.
Are Epoxy and Other Garage Floor Coatings and Sealers with VOCs Safe for the Home?
After learning about VOC content, it’s only natural to wonder if garage floor coatings and sealers are safe for home use. In short, yes! It depends on where they are applied, the occupants’ health considerations, and whether you’re using the right product.
Coatings and sealers will never experience more traffic, chemical spills, and general abuse than a garage floor or workshop. This is where you want to use the best-performing products available within your budget. Except for high-solids epoxy and 100% solids coatings, most high-performing coatings can contain over 100 g/l and up to 250 g/l of VOCs.
However, the garage is typically well ventilated, with a large garage door (s), a side door, and possible windows. Although a high-VOC coating will off-gas and create a smell during application, it typically dissipates quickly. This is because it isn’t trapped in an enclosed space like a basement or another room in the home.
The majority of VOCs usually evaporate within the first few hours or so after application. This is when a high-VOC coating will smell the most. Most remaining solvents will off-gas within 24–48 hours as the coating cures. That is why you don’t want to completely close up the garage during this time.
There may be a very small percentage of solvents left to off-gas after this period. However, once a coating is fully cured, it will have released all solvents and VOCs and is considered VOC-free. Depending on the coating (s) applied, they can fully cure within 2–7 days.
The solvents in penetrating concrete sealers will have evaporated out of the concrete as soon as the sealer has dried. This is typically 4-6 hours, depending on the sealer. It may take longer for any lingering vapors in the air to fully dissipate.
Use only low or no VOC coatings, paints, and sealers within the home. Do not use any product with more than 50 g/l VOC content. This includes basements.
Enclosed spaces like these don’t allow VOC vapors to escape the home fast enough. The EPA estimates that accumulated VOCs indoors can be 2-5x higher than outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. These vapors and odors can linger for days and quickly clear occupants from a home after application.
Even if the home is currently unoccupied, the lingering vapors can be absorbed by the walls, wood, and furniture. They can off-gas slowly for weeks or months, making the home unlivable.
Most garage floor paints today are water-based with low to no VOC content. Keep in mind, though, that garage floor paint is not a coating and will not perform well in a garage. If you are unsure of the difference, we suggest reading our article about the differences in coatings and paint.
Oil-based concrete paint used to be popular years ago. However, the amount of solvents used in oil-based paint has decreased tremendously because of its high VOC content. As a result, they do not perform as well as they used to and are much harder to find.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, All Garage Floors earns from qualifying purchases. You can read our full disclaimer here.
VOC Safety Precautions when Applying Floor Coatings or Sealers
No rules or regulations from a governing body or organization specify the VOC content threshold at which an approved respirator should be worn when applying floor coatings, paint, or sealers.
However, if you are asthmatic, have respiratory issues, or are just sensitive to smells, then you should wear an approved respirator that protects against organic gases when applying a coating or sealer that is not rated as no VOCs.
Furthermore, we recommend wearing a respirator when applying a garage floor coating or concrete sealer with more than 100 g/l VOC content if the former does not apply. Proper respirators are not expensive and are worth considering to protect your health.
The most common type is elastomeric half-mask respirators. Also known as EHMR respirators, they are half-mask designs that feature one or two organic filter cartridge attachments.
This 3M Respirator from Amazon is a good example. Make sure to pay attention to the sizing. You will need to purchase the organic filter cartridges separately.
You can purchase a pair of the proper 3M filter cartridges here. Note that they help protect against organic vapors and acid gases.
Do not use an N95 Respirator or mask to protect against VOCs. These masks will not filter organic vapors. They filter microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material such as concrete dust, pollen, etc.
In addition, it is recommended to shut off any open flames that may be present if applying a floor coating or sealer with a 100 g/l VOC content or greater. For example, a furnace or gas water heater in the garage.
Though it’s rare, a buildup of vapors could ignite if they come into contact with an open flame.
Final Thoughts on VOCs
VOCs are hazardous organic vapors that warrant serious attention when introduced into the garage, workshop, or home environment. Improper exposure can cause long-term health effects.
However, garage floor coatings and concrete sealers can be VOC-safe when you take the proper precautions. Every year, coatings, paint, and sealers treat hundreds of thousands of garage floors, basements, and home floors. This includes commercial and DIY applications.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding VOCs for any particular floor coating or sealer, make sure to review the data sheets and MSDS. If you are hiring a commercial installer, ask questions and discuss any concerns with them.
If you are applying a coating, paint, or sealer yourself, discuss any concerns or questions with the retailer you are buying the product from. This is why we recommend buying floor coatings and sealers from concrete coating vendors. They are experts in the field and stay up to date on application, safety precautions, and VOC concerns.
Home improvement centers and hardware stores aren’t the best sources for this information. Typically, they can only provide what’s printed in the sales literature or data sheets.
Understanding what VOCs are and how they affect the performance of garage floor coatings, paint, and sealers is essential. Once you learn how they are listed and the proper application precautions, you can select the best-performing product for your needs without worrying about improper VOC exposure.
Leave a Reply