The Hidden Risk in Floor Coatings

If you’re planning to resurface your garage, warehouse, medical facility, or any other concrete floor, there’s a detail you can’t afford to ignore: VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds. While most people focus on durability or aesthetics, the air quality and health impact of your floor coating often gets overlooked. It shouldn’t.

Let’s break down what VOCs are, why they matter, and how the right floor coating—like Rock Solid Surfacing’s polyaspartic/polyurea system—can help you avoid the health and environmental hazards that come with them.

What Are VOCs?

VOCs are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They’re found in a range of products like paints, adhesives, cleaning supplies—and yes, many floor coatings. As these compounds off-gas into the air, they can cause everything from short-term irritation to long-term health effects.

Exposure to high levels of VOCs can lead to:



• Headaches and dizziness
• Respiratory issues
• Allergic reactions
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• In some cases, even damage to internal organs or increased cancer risk
  

Where Are VOCs Found in Flooring?

Most VOC emissions in flooring come from epoxy coatings, adhesives, or sealants. During application and curing, these coatings release fumes into the air. Even after the floor is dry to the touch, VOCs can continue to off-gas for days—or longer.



In enclosed areas like garages, medical buildings, restaurants, and commercial spaces, this can lead to poor air quality and discomfort for occupants, employees, or patients. It’s even worse in colder climates like Colorado, where ventilation might be limited during winter installations.

Why It Matters for Your Space

If you’re running a business, this isn’t just a health issue—it’s also a liability concern. And if you’re a homeowner, it’s a matter of protecting your family’s well-being.



• Medical and veterinary facilities: Patients and animals with respiratory sensitivities are especially vulnerable.
• Restaurants and food service: Airborne chemicals don’t mix well with food prep areas.
• Garages and home workshops: Poor ventilation plus harsh chemicals is a bad combination.
• Retail and commercial spaces: No one wants to walk into a newly renovated store and get hit with fumes.
  

The Rock Solid Solution: Zero-VOC Floor Coatings

Rock Solid Surfacing’s polyaspartic/polyurea coating system is completely free of VOCs. Unlike traditional epoxies, our coatings are formulated to be environmentally safe, fume-free, and non-toxic—with no compromise in performance.

Here’s what makes our system stand out:



• No harmful smells during or after application
• Safe for indoor use, even in occupied buildings
• Ideal for medical, kennel, and food prep environments
• No special ventilation needed during installation
• Meets or exceeds OSHA air quality and safety standards

And just to be clear: we’re not talking about a watered-down eco product that sacrifices durability. Our system is industrial-grade, waterproof, slip-resistant, and built to last.

Long-Term Benefits

By choosing a zero-VOC floor coating, you’re doing more than protecting your health. You’re also:

• Improving indoor air quality
• Reducing the risk of allergic reactions or respiratory issues
• Meeting stricter LEED and environmental compliance standards
• Cutting down on maintenance thanks to the smooth, bacteria-resistant finish

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about complaints from tenants, employees, or customers due to lingering fumes or odors.

Bottom Line

When it comes to concrete coatings, VOCs are a serious consideration. Rock Solid Surfacing eliminates the concern entirely with high-performance, zero-VOC flooring that’s as safe as it is strong. Whether you’re resurfacing a small garage or a 50,000-square-foot warehouse, you don’t have to trade air quality for durability.



Have questions about floor safety or indoor air standards? Contact Rock Solid Surfacing to talk through your project—and breathe easier from day one.