Forum discussion
NC-2009 IEQc4.1: Low-Emitting Materials—Adhesives and Sealants
Does a glazing sealant get logged under the structural glazing adhesive category? Or should it be logged under Interior Sealants - Architectural?
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Do products applied to the weather barrier need to comply with VOC thresholds?
How do I determine what application my product falls under?
How is VOC % less water determined for aerosol adhesives?
Do grout and caulking need to be included, and if so, what is the application category?
Peggy White
White + GreenSpec88 thumbs up
April 3, 2013 - 12:42 pm
Adhesives and sealants have different functions. It would be classified as a sealant, and sealants used inside the weatherproofing system should have a VOC content of 250 g/L or less.
Catherine Blakemore
Architect, LEED AP BC+DHOLT Architects
32 thumbs up
April 3, 2013 - 12:51 pm
Thanks. Just wanted to confirm that my thinking was correct.
Benjie Herrera
LEED AP BD+C ,Homes,IDC,OM26 thumbs up
April 4, 2013 - 7:39 am
Our project Engineer Architect suggests that mortar/grout/thinset may fall under category "Porous material(except wood) substrate. John David chose ceramic tiles adhesive ,while Jaida said Architectural Sealant..... What's really the usual classification of grout and mortars acceptable by GBCI based on the past projects certified? Please advise....
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
523 thumbs up
April 4, 2013 - 11:46 am
Hi Benj,
We have certified numerous projects with mortar and grout. There is no specific category as many people have pointed out in previous posts. We have used Ceramic Tile adhesive and Architectural Sealant successfully as the previous responders have indicated.
If you look at the underlying standard, the porous material substrate category is used for "adhesives, adhesive bonding primers, or any other primer not regulated by the other categories". I would not go this route myself.
However, the reality is most of the mortars, grouts and thinsets we see are largely cementitious and don't tend typically to have high VOCs anyway and will fit under most categories. Make sure you include it in a logical category. Explain in the Special Circumstances if you are uncomfortable with your choice. It shouldn't be a problem.