When choosing a new garage floor coating for your home, safety is often a top priority. While these coatings are durable, stain-resistant, and enhance the aesthetics of your home, many homeowners are weary about the potential health effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can be concerning, but with the right research, you can keep your home and loved ones safe from potential health complications.
If you’re considering investing in a floor coating, keep reading to learn more about what VOCs are, how they impact air quality, and how to choose the safest option for your space.
What are VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and are found in paints, refrigerants, pesticides, aerosol sprays, and floor coatings. When you install a floor coating in your home, VOCs are often released during the curing process. Although these chemicals are found in a variety of products across your home, they can contribute to the worsening of indoor air quality, leading to potential health risks.
Health Risks Associated with VOC Exposure
Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause a range of short- and long-term health problems. Some of these health risks include:
- Short-Term Effects: Upon initial exposure to VOCs, you may notice eye, nose, and throat irritation. You may also experience headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
- Long-Term Effects: Individuals who experience long-term exposure may deal with liver and kidney problems, loss of coordination, and certain cancers.
- Further Respiratory Conditions: If you already have respiratory conditions, like asthma or COPD, you may experience aggravated symptoms when exposed to VOCs.
How Garage Floor Coatings Impact Indoor Air Quality
Garage floor coatings vary in their VOC content, and their impact on indoor air quality depends on several factors. These factors include the type of coating used, the size and ventilation of your garage, and how well the coating can cure before you reenter the space. Traditional epoxy and polyurethane coatings can release significant VOCs during curing, contributing to poor air quality in and around your home.
If your garage is poorly ventilated or attached to a living space, these fumes can infiltrate your indoor air, leading to prolonged exposure and subsequent health effects. Additionally, VOC off-gassing can continue for an extended period, even after the coating appears dry. The rate of emission depends on environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
High concentrations of VOCs indoors can exacerbate respiratory conditions and cause discomfort for individuals sensitive to air pollutants. Understanding these factors can help homeowners make safer choices when selecting an appropriate garage floor coating for their space.
Your Low-VOC Alternatives
While you may be concerned about your risk of VOC exposure, there are safer alternatives for your home. Many manufacturers now offer low-VOC garage floor coating options that minimize harmful emissions. Some of the most common options include:
Epoxy Coatings: An epoxy floor coating is a durable, protective surface applied over your concrete floors to enhance their strength, appearance, and resistance to damage. While these are popular among homeowners, these floors are not UV-resistant. This lack of UV resistance means the floors may become yellow with prolonged sun exposure. - Polyaspartic Coatings: If you love the appearance of epoxy floors but want a more reliable option, Polyaspartic is a more modern, dependable choice. These floors are durable and UV-resistant. Unlike their epoxy counterpart, these floors are cured in 24 hours, allowing you to return to regular use of the space.
If you’re struggling to find the right floor coating for your home, it is always best to reach out to a floor coating professional for support. Their expertise can help you determine which floor coating is the right fit for your lifestyle. Whether you use your garage as a parking spot, storage, or weekend hobby space, they’ll ensure your floor coating is prepared to handle it all.
Minimizing VOC Exposure During Installation
If you’ve chosen a garage floor coating that contains some VOCs, there are a few things you can do to limit exposure and protect yourself during off-gassing. If you want to reduce VOC exposure, follow these steps:
- Improve Ventilation: Keep your garage doors and windows open during and after installation to allow fumes to dissipate.
- Wear PPE: If you’re installing a floor coating, it is essential that you wear protective equipment, including a respirator mask and gloves.
- Allow Proper Curing: Avoid using your garage until the coating has fully cured, between 24 hours and two weeks, to ensure fumes have dissipated.
- Schedule Professional Installation: The best way to avoid VOCs is by working with professionals to install the coating. With their experience, they can protect you and your loved ones from potential exposure.
Your Expert Floor Coating Partner in Denver, CO
Garage floor coatings can be a safe choice for your home when chosen correctly. If you’re considering installing a floor coating in your home, it is best to turn to a team of professionals for support. For homeowners across Denver, CO, who want to install a garage floor coating, turn to our team at Solid Custom Floor Coatings for support.
For years, we’ve provided homeowners with the highest-quality floor coatings on the market. Whether you want a shiny, sleek epoxy floor or are interested in a more modern Polyaspartic option, we provide them all. With our support, you can trust that you’ll have the best floor coating in your home.
If you’d like to schedule floor coating installation for your Denver home or have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
