Waterbornes are both eco-friendly and high-tech, but the idea behind their development is very simple. Paints and lacquers are applied wet and then they dry. They are formulated by mixing plastic resins like latex and urethane with a liquid that will evaporate leaving the finished resin coating behind. The liquid component in these mixtures is called the solvent because the solid component resins are dissolved within it. Traditionally these solvents have been powerful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which posed serious health risks. The simple, high-tech idea of waterbornes was to make the main solvent in architectural coatings water.

OFF-GASSING:

Many traditional architectural coatings like lacquers give off formaldehyde for some period after they are sprayed on woodwork. Unfortunately, this off-gassing period almost always extends past the point of installation in a home and may even last for years. Moreover, many of the engineered wood products such as plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF) also give off poison vapors for much of their service life.

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about interior air quality and are seeking “green” products which will not pollute their homes. This new market of informed homeowners and design professionals has driven the innovation of products like waterborne lacquers and no-added formaldehyde (NAF) plywoods.

The use of low-VOC coatings and NAF panels in an architectural project such as a kitchen or library can dramatically reduce the level of formaldehyde and other synthetic chemicals present in a home. However, even though readily available they are often not specified. There is no learning curve for working with NAF panels. They are identical to their off-gassing brethren in every way except for what they emit. But working with waterborne coatings presents manufacturers with significant technical challenges and, therefore, greater up front costs.

INTO THE MODERN WORLD:

Waterborne coatings are now the standard in the flooring industry and are quickly replacing older technologies in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Those who embrace this new technology must invest in restructuring their finishing process. This takes research and time, and imposes extra short-term costs. Once the reorganization has taken place, however, those who use low-VOC coatings for architectural millwork can remain price competitive while passing on extra value to their customers.

HIGH STANDARDS & HIGHER VALUE:

Whenever furniture or cabinetry is spray-finished a special type of paint, generically known as lacquer, is used. Although there are many kinds of “lacquers” they are all a thin coating technology which provide excellent protection for wood when applied at only a few thousandths of an inch thick. As an architectural coating lacquers must meet performance guidelines set forth by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) to be used in environments like kitchens and baths. All high quality waterborne coatings now meet or exceed these standards.

Today fine woodwork, cabinetry, and millwork can be finished with environmentally friendly, low-VOC coatings at no extra cost to the consumer or contractor. Because these coatings come with the benefits but not the hazards of older lacquer technologies, they represent a better value for the end user. On almost any architectural project undertaken today the ceilings, walls, doors, and floors will be finished using a waterborne coating. As more people learn about waterborne lacquers the trend will be to demand their use on furniture and fine cabinetry as well.

Written by Orin Zelenak, APG 10, © 2010