Low VOC and Painting Toronto Condominium Buildings

Low VOC when Painting in Toronto Condominium Buildings

There is a trend for green building by some major condo builders. Environmentally friendly lifestyles are promoted and enhanced with some never before specified features such as ventilating systems providing cleaner air, water saving plumbing, energy efficient lights and appliances. Construction materials such as flooring and paint are chosen for their reduced VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) producing properties. Since the average Canadian spends more than 80% of their time indoors, Indoor Air Quality is paramount. Such condo developments can be found in the Sheppard and Yonge or Sheppard and Bayview area of North York and Warden and Highway 7 in Markham among other areas in the GTA.

The problem with most multi-unit apartment or condominium buildings is that their ventilation systems are inadequate and in most cases, non existing. Paint, especially latex paint, dries very fast. As a result, there is a false security that VOC are not harmful anymore. The reality is different. Paint can take many days, even weeks to cure and "off-gassing" continues to happen for many days after the paint has dried. To make things worse, cold weather makes it impractical to keep windows open for extended periods of time. The end result is, VOC travel from unit to unit through electrical outlets, gaps around pipes, floors, behind walls, ceilings. VOC are harmful substances with high health risks to everyone but mostly pregnant women, young children, and people with respiratory concerns. Condominium owners and property managers are well advised to always provide early notice to neighbouring condo owners when painting a condominium unit or painting hallways and common areas. Painting Contractors, when painting in a condominium or apartment building, should be asked to use zero or low VOC paints. Painting contractor should be asked to provide information about the hazards of the paints being used in the form of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Ecopainting Inc. is an eco friendly Painting Contractor in the Greater Toronto area. Through the use of zero VOC paint and our environmental policies, we work to minimize the impact our painting services may have on our customers Indoor Air Quality. If you are a property manager or a condo owner needing a painting company, call 416 733-7767 or click here to request a consultation.