Reducing Carbon Footprint With Low-VOC Adhesives & Sealants in Construction Applications

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a growing expectation across the construction industry. From architects and builders to distributors and contractors, everyone’s under pressure to reduce emissions, minimize environmental impact, and deliver healthier, longer-lasting structures. 

But here’s the challenge: achieving those sustainability goals without compromising on performance.

That’s where low-VOC adhesives and sealants come in. 

As awareness around indoor air quality and environmental responsibility increases, low-VOC adhesive solutions have become essential for construction professionals who want to meet performance demands while aligning with today’s green building standards.

At Seal Bond, we’ve seen firsthand how hybrid polymer technology is changing the game. By eliminating the high solvent content found in traditional sealants, our low-VOC solutions help you maintain strong, flexible, and weather-resistant bonds—without the environmental drawbacks.

If your clients are requesting more sustainable materials or your next project requires compliance with stricter VOC regulations, this is the time to understand how the right sealant choice can help reduce your project’s carbon footprint.

What Are VOCs and Why Do They Matter?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They’re commonly found in paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants. When released into the air, they react with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone and smog.

Significant issues with VOCs include: 

  • On a job site or inside a finished building, excessive VOCs directly affect indoor air quality and the health of workers and occupants. 
  • Short-term exposure can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation
  • Long-term exposure contributes to more serious respiratory and environmental impacts.

Are VOCs Regulated?

Yes, VOC emissions are tightly regulated. Federal and state agencies, including the EPA and regional Air Quality Management Districts, set strict limits on the allowable VOC content in construction materials. 

Green building programs, such as LEED, WELL, and GreenGuard, reward projects that utilize low-emission products.

How Low-VOC Adhesives & Sealants Support Sustainable Construction

Low-VOC adhesives and sealants aren’t just about meeting compliance checkboxes—they’re about building better, safer environments for everyone involved.

From the moment a sealant is applied to the day a project is turned over, low-VOC formulations can make a measurable difference in sustainability, air quality, and long-term client satisfaction.

Here’s how:

Improved Indoor Air Quality:

  • Low-VOC adhesives and sealants emit fewer harmful compounds during curing, making them safer for installers working in enclosed spaces and for occupants after the project is completed. 
  • For commercial and institutional projects (especially hospitals, schools, and offices), this is a growing priority.

Regulatory and Green Building Compliance:

  • Using low-VOC products supports LEED, WELL Building, and GreenGuard certifications, helping projects stay compliant with local air-quality regulations. 
  • For contractors and specifiers, this not only avoids potential penalties but also positions their firm as a responsible environmental partner.

Reduced Environmental Impact:

  • Lower VOC emissions contribute to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. 
  • When used at scale across large projects, the environmental impact adds up quickly and helps reduce a building’s overall carbon footprint.

Enhanced Reputation and Client Trust:

  • Sustainability sells. Whether you’re bidding on public infrastructure or private commercial builds, clients increasingly expect greener solutions. 
  • Choosing low-VOC materials shows that your company is proactive, forward-thinking, and aligned with market demand.

In short, low-VOC sealants offer more than an environmental advantage—they deliver tangible project benefits that align with performance, compliance, and client satisfaction goals.

The Performance Advantage of Hybrid Polymer Adhesives & Sealants

In the past, low-VOC often meant low performance. Today, that’s no longer the case—especially with the evolution of hybrid polymer sealant technology.

Hybrid polymer sealants combine the best attributes of traditional silicone and polyurethane products, without the high solvent content or environmental drawbacks associated with these materials. They deliver the strength, flexibility, and durability construction professionals need to meet real-world demands on the job site.

The 4 Best Benefits of Hybrid Polymer Sealants

  1. Superior Adhesion to Multiple Substrates:
    Hybrid polymers bond effectively to a wide range of materials, including metal, concrete, glass, wood, and PVC, making them versatile for both interior and exterior construction applications.

  2. Outstanding Weather and UV Resistance
    Once cured, these sealants maintain elasticity and strength under extreme temperature changes, moisture, and UV exposure. This is ideal for roofing, exterior façades, and other demanding environments.

  3. Flexible, Durable Bonds
    Hybrid polymer sealants accommodate structural movement and thermal expansion without cracking or losing adhesion. That flexibility reduces long-term maintenance costs and minimizes the risk of callbacks.

  4. Safer, Cleaner Application
    With no isocyanates, solvents, or shrinkage, hybrid polymer sealants are safer for installers, easier to clean up, and maintain consistent volume during curing.

For builders and contractors, these benefits mean you no longer have to choose between environmental responsibility and long-term performance. 

Introducing: Seal Bond’s Low-VOC Solutions

At Seal Bond, we’ve spent decades engineering adhesives and sealants that meet the construction industry’s toughest performance standards while staying ahead of evolving environmental regulations. 

Our low-VOC adhesive and hybrid polymer sealant formulations are designed to help professionals achieve both goals: uncompromising strength and long-term sustainability.

Here are a few examples of how Seal Bond solutions deliver results on the job:

Seal Bond® 400 – Universal Adhesive/Sealant undefined-1

Seal Bond® 400 is a single-component, moisture-curing sealant for roofing and construction applications. It’s an environmentally friendly formula that contains no solvents or isocyanates and yields very low VOCs. Additionally, it features a low-odor and low-shrinkage formula that provides non-sag performance for vertical or overhead applications.  

Seal Bond® 440 Roof Tile Adhesive/Sealant undefined
Built to withstand extreme weather and temperature shifts, this roofing-grade sealant provides a watertight bond with minimal environmental impact. It’s ideal for projects that require both performance and compliance with air-quality standards.

Seal Bond®490 Liquid Flashing

undefined-2Our professional-grade liquid flashing is perfect for sealing roof penetrations, metal roof seams, gutters, and other building envelope applications. SB 490 is a one-part formulation with semi-self-leveling properties for both horizontal and vertical applications. 

Each formulation is backed by Seal Bond’s in-house R&D, testing, and technical support. So contractors, distributors, and builders can specify with confidence, knowing their materials align with both performance expectations and sustainability goals.

Build Smarter. Build Cleaner. Build With Seal Bond.

Reducing your project’s carbon footprint doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. With the right low-VOC adhesive or sealant, you can meet strict sustainability standards, enhance indoor air quality, and still deliver the strength, flexibility, and reliability your clients expect.

When the next project requires durable results and a smaller carbon footprint, choose a partner committed to both innovation and integrity.

Contact Seal Bond today to discuss your application or request a free sample of our low-VOC adhesive and sealant solutions.

Low-VOC Sealants and Adhesives FAQ:

Q: What is a low-VOC adhesive?

A: A low-VOC adhesive is a bonding material formulated with fewer volatile organic compounds to reduce emissions and improve indoor air quality.

Q: Why use low-VOC adhesives in construction?

A: They help projects meet LEED and WELL standards, improve air quality, and deliver durable bonding performance.

Q: Do low-VOC adhesives perform as well as traditional products?

A: Yes. Thanks to advancements in hybrid polymer technology, today’s low-VOC adhesives and sealants deliver equal (or better) performance compared to traditional solvent-based products. 

Q: How can I verify that an adhesive or sealant meets low-VOC requirements?

A: Always check the product’s technical data sheet (TDS) or safety data sheet (SDS) for VOC content information. Seal Bond products are clearly labeled with VOC values and compliance standards to help contractors, distributors, and specifiers ensure their materials meet local regulations and green building certifications.