What Does Low Voc Carpet Mean
Low voc means a low concentration of volatile organic compounds.
What does low voc carpet mean. Not only does this preserve the longevity of carpeting but also keeps it healthy. All these typically contain a voc such as formaldehyde. Low voc carpet has become available only in the last few years in answer to consumer requests for healthy green building materials. Installing carpets in moist areas such as basements should be carefully considered.
They evaporate easily at room temperature and disperse into the surrounding air. Low voc paints have reduced amounts of volatile organic compounds meaning they don t off gas as much as traditional paints. There s are no standards that define what low means so the labels are arbitrary at best. Green label plus is designeed for architects builders specifiers and facility managers who want assurances that carpet and adhesive products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.
Why have low voc carpet installed. As a general rule most of the voc off gassing occurs in flooring that uses adhesives. Ultra low voc products have voc content that s below 50 g l. Most people are able to smell a high level of some vocs but for the most part vocs do not smell.
Volatile organic compounds vocs are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature their high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air a trait known as volatility for example formaldehyde which evaporates from. Poor indoor air quality is proven to be a result in part to toxic high voc carpeting that is typically manufactured with pesticides dyes fungicides fire retardants and anti stain coatings. Low voc carpet and rug faq. In fact this style of flooring accounts for 70 of residential installations.
Cleaning carpets should be done with low or no voc products. Low voc or zero voc paints typically contain voc content of less than 5 grams per liter. Green label ensures customers they are purchasing among the lowest emitting carpet adhesive and cushion products on the market. In the chemical industry low voc is used to describe a product with voc content at or below 150 g l.
Carpeting is most commonly found in homes today. Unique carpets makes a four seasons collection that is less expensive than the others i ve mentioned while still being mostly natural with un dyed wool from the uk and no added treatment chemicals. The fewer adhesive layers a flooring product has the less likely it is to contain vocs. Waterproofing may be beneficial to avoid further health risks.
The underlayer of carpet needs to stick as do the multiple layers of laminate flooring. Installing carpets carpet paddings or rugs in kids rooms requires additional consideration. Vocs are a group of chemical based on carbon. Note that other collections from unique carpets are not as natural as the four seasons line and i.
A professional carpet cleaning is always encouraged by manufacturers to maintain carpet warranty. What does low voc stand for.