It is increasingly common for a client to ask for "eco-friendly" or "odourless" paint, and it's worth knowing how to explain what lies behind that label before giving a price.
What VOCs are and why they matter
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are substances released into the air as paint dries, responsible for the characteristic smell and, at high concentrations, for some irritation in sensitive people. Paints labelled low-VOC notably reduce that emission compared with conventional paint.
When it is especially recommended
It is especially advisable in children's rooms, bedrooms, spaces with allergic people or people with respiratory problems, and in general in any renovation where the client will keep living in the home while it is painted, since the smell and the ventilation required are lower.
Extra cost and what to tell the client
Low-VOC paints usually cost slightly more per litre than conventional ones of equivalent range, although performance and coverage are comparable. It is important to make clear to the client that "low VOC" doesn't always mean zero emissions, and that the eco label varies from one manufacturer to another.
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