Formulating 50 VOC Gloss Floor Paints

By Greg Monaghan

Floor paints are used in basement areas, on patios, porches, and exterior stairs. Floor and patio paints are often used to brighten the living space and give it a more distinctive, finished look In addition to the aesthetic appeal of the painted floor, the coating also is functional. The paint helps reduce dust from the concrete floor and the painted surface is easy to clean if there are spills of household chemicals. Since they are exposed to foot traffic or to scraping or marring from moving furniture, these floor paints also need good hardness and scuff resistance. Good exterior durability is desirable, al­though most floor paints are not designed to be used on exposed wood decks.

Most paint companies offer a latex-based satin or flat floor finish and a solvent-based gloss finish, usually a urethane alkyd blend. VOC regulations of 50 g/L in California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) are driving the refor­mulation of oil-based gloss floor paints to water-based paints. Several water-based gloss floor paints are on the market; however, these are close to 200 g/L VOC.