Low VOC Kitchens, Home Offices and Fitted Wardrobes with Arbor Lane

In recent years Arbor Lane has seen a surge of interest in healthier and greener options for our bespoke furniture projects. One frequent question has been about VOC levels of our furniture. 

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are carbon-containing substances that easily become vapours or gases. Common VOCs include benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, flammable alcohols, solvents, petrol and other liquid combustion fuels.

How do Arbor Lane reduce VOCs?

VOCs occur naturally and they can be present in paints, glues, coatings and cleaning products. In our processes we use natural products and ancient skills to ensure that we maintain a low VOC product. The process and materials used for mass produced furniture simply cannot match this; the use of glue, fast-drying paints and large amounts of MDF means they emit VOCs into homes for years after installation.

In selecting Mylands paints we are partnering with a supplier who match our values for healthier and more sustainable products. These paints are formulated to maximise colour impact whilst remaining almost solvent free. Mylands are one of the last remaining manufacturers to still use natural earth pigments in their paint, making them sumptuously deep and colour rich as well as eco-friendly.

What are the benefits?

Some VOCs are more toxic than others but everyone should try to limit their exposure to chemicals. In fact, a recent study showed that there were more pollutants found in homes than on a busy street. In creating furniture for kitchens, bedrooms and home offices we take responsibility for advising clients to make the best choice for their homes.

Poor air quality is on of the features of the modern home and by choosing suppliers carefully customers can improve their overall health. High levels of VOCs have multiple adverse effects on health which are both short and long-terem  ranging from eye irritations to damaging the liver and kidneys!

VOCs have a dual impact on the environment, their production tends to be resource rich and the poor air quality caused can also cause damage to the environment. Creating more environmentally-friendly products is good for business, too. A third of consumers prefer to shop with companies that are doing social or environmental good.

Arbor Lane manufacture bespoke, handmade kitchens and interiors, and we work with trade professionals across the UK. If you are a kitchen retailer, architect, interior designer, property developer, or contractor and you are looking for a British company to bring life to your bespoke furniture designs, then please do get in touch: 01634 940 953 or email [email protected].