Low-VOC paints, adhesives, and materials can drastically improve the air quality inside your home. Here's why they matter—and how choosing them makes your renovation healthier, safer, and more comfortable.
Introduction
Most people focus on colours, styles, and finishes when planning a renovation. But one of the most important choices you can make has nothing to do with looks—it's the materials you bring into your home.
Many building products release chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These can affect indoor air quality for days, months, or even years. In Ontario's climate, where windows remain closed for long periods due to cold winters and hot summers, those VOCs can stay trapped inside.
Choosing low-VOC or zero-VOC materials is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to create a healthier home. At NENS EcoBuild, we use LEED-informed practices to help you select materials that support comfort, wellbeing, and long-term indoor air quality.
What are VOCs and why should you care
VOCs are chemicals that off-gas from many everyday building materials, including:
- Paints and primers
- Adhesives and sealants
- Flooring products
- Cabinets and composite woods
- Insulation
In high concentrations, VOCs can contribute to:
- Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Worsening asthma and allergies
- Long-term indoor air quality issues
Because homes in Ontario are sealed tightly for energy efficiency, VOCs accumulate more easily—especially during winter months.
LEED perspective: LEED promotes low-emitting materials because they directly improve indoor environmental quality. Low-VOC products must meet strict third-party testing and emissions standards.
Key benefits of choosing low-VOC materials
1. Healthier indoor air
Low-VOC materials release fewer harmful chemicals over time. Families with children, seniors, pets, or anyone sensitive to smells or allergies benefit immediately.
Tip: If you notice a strong odour after painting or installing new floors, that smell is usually VOCs.
2. A more comfortable living environment
Low-VOC paints and products dry faster, smell less, and make it easier to reoccupy rooms after renovation—ideal for families living through their upgrades.
Ontario angle: Closed windows in winter cause odours to linger. Low-VOC products significantly reduce this issue.
3. Lower environmental impact
Low-VOC materials reduce ground-level ozone formation and improve air quality indoors and outdoors. LEED recognizes these products because they support more responsible building practices.
4. Better long-term performance
Many low-VOC paints, finishes, and adhesives are now equal to—or better than—traditional options. They resist fading, peeling, and cracking, making them a durable choice.
Where to use low-VOC products in your renovation
Paints and primers
This is the easiest upgrade. Nearly all premium brands now offer low-VOC or zero-VOC lines.
Flooring
Look for options such as:
- Low-VOC vinyl
- FSC-certified wood
- Engineered flooring with low-emitting adhesives
- GreenGuard Gold–certified products
Cabinets and millwork
Choose materials with:
- No added urea-formaldehyde
- Water-based finishes
- Low-emitting adhesives
Caulks, sealants, and adhesives
Small items can have a big impact. These products often off-gas more than most homeowners expect.
How to make low-VOC choices easy
You don't need to memorize standards. Look for clear, trustworthy labels such as:
- GreenGuard Gold
- CARB Phase 2 (for wood products)
- SCAQMD Rule 1113 (for paints)
- LEED-approved low-emitting materials
At NENS EcoBuild, we source materials that meet or exceed these standards, so you can renovate with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Low-VOC materials are a small decision with big benefits. They protect your family's health, improve comfort, and reduce your environmental footprint—without significantly increasing costs.
Thinking about a renovation? Book a free consultation with NENS EcoBuild and we'll guide you through healthy, sustainable material choices that fit your budget and your vision.