When choosing paint for your home or project, colour and finish are usually top of mind—but what’s in the paint matters just as much. One of the most important considerations today is the VOC content. At Universal Paints, we offer a wide range of Low VOC and Minimal VOC coatings designed to deliver beautiful finishes with better indoor air quality and reduced environmental impact.
What are VOCs?
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. They are commonly found in traditional paints due to solvents and other chemical additives used in manufacturing.
As paint dries, VOCs are released into the air, often causing the strong “paint smell” associated with freshly painted spaces. Beyond odour, high VOC levels can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Why Choose Low VOC Paints?
Low VOC paints are formulated to significantly reduce these emissions, making them a smarter choice for homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
Health Benefits
Low VOC paints help create safer indoor environments by:
- Reducing indoor air pollution and harmful fumes
- Minimising risks of headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation
- Being safer for children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma or allergies
- Producing little to no strong chemical odour during or after application
Environmental Benefits
Choosing Low VOC coatings also supports a healthier planet:
- Lower impact on overall air quality
- Reduced contribution to smog formation
- More eco-conscious manufacturing processes
Universal Paints VOC Standards
At Universal Paints, we prioritise safer formulations without compromising on performance or durability. Most of our exterior coatings fall within the Low VOC range (0.3% to 7.99%), including:
- Allcote – 2.14% VOC
- Premium Acrylic – 0.96% VOC
- Super Acrylic PVA – 1.06% VOC
For projects where air quality is an even higher priority, we also offer Minimal VOC (0% to 0.29%) products such as:
- UniGlo
- Unishield
These options are ideal for interior spaces, occupied buildings, or environments where ventilation may be limited.
What VOC Really Means in Practice
VOC refers to Volatile Organic Compounds—chemicals that evaporate into the air as paint dries. These compounds are responsible for the strong odours often associated with painting.
Modern coatings, especially water-based systems, are increasingly designed with lower VOC levels to:
- Improve indoor air quality
- Reduce unpleasant odours
- Support safer working environments for applicators and occupants
For contractors and professionals, this also means:
- Safer interior application with reduced fumes
- Better compliance with environmental and building standards
- Improved comfort on occupied or sensitive sites
A Smarter Way to Paint
Low VOC paints are no longer a niche choice—they are becoming the standard for healthier, more responsible living and working environments. With Universal Paints, you don’t have to choose between performance, durability, and safety. You can have all three.
Visit a Universal Paints direct outlet near you or browse our low VOC paint options online Eco Friendly – Universal Paints to find the right coating for your next project.
