EcoLiving Ideas

By Robin Baron on Sep 2, 2010

0 reviews |

| Login to Comment |

One of the most important aspects of green design is paint. Think about it: if all of your walls are painted, a change to a more eco-friendly paint can make a substantial movement toward a greener home. It is important and easy to find paints that are low VOC or no-VOC, making for healthier surroundings.

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and diminish air quality, causing potential health risks. Typical paints emit quite a bit of VOCs, so it is vital to find companies that have eco-friendly paint options. Luckily, it is easier than ever to find a desired paint color that is also void of VOCs or considered a low-VOC paint. Here is a quick guide of the products that I recommend to my clients.

Benjamin Moore- Benjamin Moore is one of my favorite companies because of their vast color selection! The company offers a Natura ® line of paints that contain zero VOCs and are odorless. On top of that line, Benjamin Moore also offers two other lines, Aura ® and Ben ®, that promise low VOCs and limited odor.

Sherwin Williams- If you can’t find the perfect color from Benjamin Moore, try Sherwin Williams. This company also offers two eco-friendly paint lines, Duration Home ® and Harmony ®, and uses raw materials like soy and sunflower oil to make their products. I prefer the Duration Home ® line because the paint is antimicrobial and inhibits the growth of mildew. The paints in their Harmony ® line are great for nurseries or children’s rooms because the paints contain no VOCs and are almost odorless.

BEHR - BEHR pushed the envelope by developing BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Interior, a low-VOC paint and primer all in one. With around 1,600 colors to choose from, this paint line makes repainting easy because of its all-in-one nature. This line also has outdoor paint options for the exterior of your home.
With all of the paint companies willing to move in the green direction, you

will certainly find a color that adds to the look and style of your home, but keeps it eco-friendly at the same time.

If you have additional questions or suggestions for my next article, feel free to e-mail me at askrobin@robinbarondesign.com. Thanks for reading and happy green designing!

See All EcoLiving Ideas | Login to Comment