Horizon

What is Horizon?
Horizon is Rodda's brand of low VOC coatings that was first introducted in 1995. Horizon has grown to a family of 42 products currently available. All Horizon products meet three important criteria:

Green Seal Certified
Each Horizon product has passed the Green Seal GS-11 specification for coatings. These specifications require low VOC's, no harmful chemical components as defined by Green Seal, and meet performance standards for scrubbability, hiding power and washability.

Low VOC's
Interior Horizon has: <1 gram per liter (gpl) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); Exterior Horizon has low VOCs compared to most commercially available coatings.

Mold and Mildew Resistant
All Horizon products contain agents which inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the surface of the paint film.

In important tests such as hide and scrubbability, Horizon's performance is equal to many of Rodda's best interior and exterior paints. Horizon products are free of all restricted components as defined by Green Seal.

What is the Green Seal™?
Green Seal, Inc., Washington, D.C., is an independent, non-profit organization working to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. Green Seal issues their seal of approval to products that meet approved standards for performance and environmental impacts.

Why is the Green Seal™ certification so significant?
The Green Seal certification is important to different people for very specific reasons. For homeowners and businesses owners, the Green Seal provides independent proof that Horizon paint is safer for the environment and for the people who will be around it.

For professionals in real estate, construction and development, Green Seal has a tangible bottomline benefit. As more and more buildings are being built using sustainable building practices, developers and contractors gain financial benefits from proving that products on their buildings are environmentally responsible. The largest program supporting the development of sustainable buildings is Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED™) from the U.S. Green Building Council. In some instances, a LEED™ certified building may qualify for state or local government incentives, and a few grant institutions are requiring LEED™ certification as part of their application process as well. In addition, many cities in the United States are now requiring their government projects to achieve a LEED™ rating, and therefore private projects are often following suit.

Why did Rodda pursue the extra certification from Green Seal?
Our customer requests for low-odor paint have grown dramatically since we first introduced Horizon in 1995. We believe that green is good for both the environment and business. That’s why Rodda became a leader in the industry by obtaining Green Seal certification. Now our customers have not only the convenience of a low-odor paint, but also the assurance that their choice meets the highest standards for environmental responsibility.

What is the LEED™ program?
LEED™, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design is a registered trademark and program of the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED™ Green Building Rating System 2.0 was developed for the U.S. Department of Energy to help guide commercial building projects in green and sustainable design. Many public and private buildings are now being built to LEED™ standards. Through LEED™ standards, the USGBC seeks to improve environmental and economic performance of commercial buildings using established and/or advanced industry principles, practices, materials and standards.

How does choosing Horizon paint help with the LEED™ program from the U.S. Green Building Council?
A wide variety of building products and processes are covered under the LEED™ program, including paint. The LEED™ standard for paint (credit 4.2) states that “paints and coatings must meet or exceed the VOC and chemical component limits of Green Seal requirements.” The Horizon line of interior, exterior and primer paint products are all Green Seal certified and therefore qualify for LEED™ credit points. Qualifying by using a paint without Green Seal certification means volumes of paperwork and documentation to prove the equivalency.

What is the Horizon line of paints from Rodda?
Horizon is Rodda’s brand of paints low in Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. First introduced in 1995, Horizon has grown to a product family of 42 different products of interior and exterior paints in a variety of finishes. Volatile organic compounds are the ingredient in paint that produces the fumes. Horizon interior paints have virtually no VOCs, so air pollution from these products is essentially nil.

How is Horizon paint different from conventional paint? What makes it more environmentally responsible?
Horizon is made from a completely different formulation than conventional paint. The biggest difference is that Horizon interior paints are 99.6% free of solvents, and essentially free of volatile organic compounds. These are the ingredients in paint that produce the odor and fumes. Horizon therefore has minimal odor during application, and virtually none quickly following application. Even though Horizon is made with different ingredients, it is equally durable and easy to apply as our conventional line of latex paints. Horizon paint also reduces the amount of toxic material entering the waste stream. Rodda Paint asks all of its customers to recycle their leftover paint.

When would it be best to use Horizon paint rather than conventional paint?
Many people are sensitive to the smell of conventional paint. Because of its low odor and quick drying time, Horizon is particularly well suited for areas that are occupied or in use. These might include homes, offices, hospitals or other commercial spaces. Conventional paint can also have a lingering odor that can last for several days. Horizon paint has no odor once it is dry, usually within two hours of application.

Do other paint manufacturers offer low-odor paints?
Many paint companies are developing or offer low-odor paints because their customers are demanding them. Rodda is one of only three companies to have applied for and received Green Seal certification, and the company is the only company in the U.S. to have Green Seal certified exterior paint. In the western U.S., Horizon is also the only Green Seal certified paint currently manufactured.

To find out more information about Horizon products, download the product sheets below and come into one of our 39 NorthWest locations!

Horizon Information (Front)
Horizon Information (Back)