Hardwood Floors August/September 2018
AT THE SITE The Lowdown on Low VOC Finishes (Continued)
Waterborne urethanes are very common nishes used in our trade. e reason for their popularity is largely due to using water as a carrier instead of solvents, so their VOC levels are inherently lower. eir appearance is similar to the nishes already discussed, and they don’t amber out to the same degree. Some of the waterborne nishes have been limited to use in some parts of the U.S. due to VOC regulations. VOC levels vary from 0 to 450 g/L within this product category. Natural oils and hardwax oils have seen a real increase in popularity. Many of these products state that they contain 0 g/L VOCs. Natural oils and hardwax oils use oils such as linseed or vegetable oils. ese nishes have a distinct appearance that suits wide plank rustic ooring, which has become a very popular look. ese nishes have a very low luster look that brings out the natural character of the wood, but o ers li le to no sheen. is type of nish does not have a visible lm and protects the surface of the ooring by bonding itself to the wood ber. VOC levels can vary
VOC LIMITS
UTAH AIM Rule
EPA Federal AIM/
OTC Phase I Model Rule
OTC Phase II Model Rule
CARB AIM SCM
OHIO AIM Rule
CANADIAN AIM Rule
SCAQMD AIM SCM
INDIANA AIM Rule
ILLINOIS AIM Rule
Implemented January 2015. 3-year Sell- through period
OPTIONS
VOC Rule
Exceedance Fee Option Small Container Exemption
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
CATEGORIES
Conjugated Oil Varnish
Varnish 450
Varnish
Varnish 275
Varnish 275
Varnish 350
Varnish 350
Varnish 350
Varnish 350
450
350 450
Conversion Varnish
Varnish 275
725 725 725 Varnish 275
725
725
725
725
725
Wood Coating 275
Lacquer
680 680
680 680
680
680 680 Wood Coating 275
680
Shellac
730 730 730 730 730
730
730
730
730
730
Stain
550 250 250 250 250
250
250 250
250
250
Varnish
450 350 Wood Coating 275
275
350
350 350 Wood Coating 275
350
Wood Coating
N/A N/A 275 N/A N/A
N/A
N/A N/A
275
N/A
Current states following the EPA Federal AIM/VOC Rule: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, WA, WV, WY The OTC eliminated the following categories in their updated Phase II Model Rule: Penetrating Oils, Varnishes, Lacquers, Sanding Sealers, Clear Stains. The eliminated categories fell under the Wood Cooling category in the OTC Phase II Model Rule. Current states that have adopted OTC Phase I Model Rule: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, ND, NH, NY, PA, RI, *VA, VT *Northern Virginia and Fredricksburg Emissions Control Area have adopted the OTC Phase I Model Rule. The rest of Virginia follows the EPA Federal AIM/VOC Rule.
Currently, no states have adopted the OTC Phase II Model Rule. This rule includes anti-bundling language.
oxidation and UV rays, so the oor will take on a yellowish cast as the oor ages. OMUs historically have been the most popular nishes that ooring contractors have used due to ease of application, ow, and leveling properties. For these reasons, contractors that have been using OMUs for a long time may be reluctant to use other types of nishes. Floor nish manufacturers recognize that many contractors prefer to use this type of nish, so have had to constantly tweak their formulations to comply with the VOC laws that vary from state to state. VOC regulations have limited use of some of these nishes in some parts of the U.S. VOC levels vary from >275 up to 550 g/L within this product category.
depending on the product and manufacturer. ere are a number of factors that contractors and end-users must consider before choosing any nish. e trick is to educate everyone involved as to what options are available in order to achieve the best balance between the look the end- user wants, the suitability of the nish to their lifestyle, and the impact on indoor air quality. Kjell Nymark is Technical Advisor at the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. He can be reached at kjell.nymark@ nwfa.org.
62 hardwood floors www.hardwoodfloorsmag.com
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