What Are The Best Eco-friendly Interior Paints?
A significant part of a construction project manager’s responsibilities is making decisions and choosing the project’s best course of action. Today that includes making eco-friendly choices.
Many construction industries have taken the “green” route for various reasons — cost-efficiency, public image, or the betterment of the environment — and painting is one of them. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, about 70 million tons of pollution were released in the US in 2019. A fraction of this problem comes from VOCs, which can be found in many paint products.
Luckily, the painting industry is taking a stand and growing towards “green painting.”
What Is “Green” Paint?
Compared to regular generic paints, “green” paint, also known as natural paint or eco-paint, contains minimal to no VOCs or volatile organic chemicals.
All paints are made up of three main elements: pigment (color), binder (holds the paint together), and carrier (distributes binder). Unfortunately, many of the manufactured paints pose a threat to the environment and human health because of the hazardous chemicals present in these elements.
● Pigments contain lead, chromium, and cadmium.
● Binders and carriers contain solvents, benzene, formaldehyde, and petrochemicals, among other VOCs.
What is VOC?
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short, are natural carbon-based compounds that evaporate and are found in many paint products, such as paint, strippers, varnishes, stains, and lacquers. This is what gives newly painted rooms that generic paint smell.
VOCs are also known to be a significant factor in climate change or global warming. Although they emit small amounts of gases, this will accumulate over the years and lead to significant environmental problems.
Aside from the negative impact it has on the planet, VOCs also cause health issues such as:
● Eye irritation;
● Skin disorders;
● Asthma;
● Dizziness;
● Nausea;
● Fatigue;
● Respiratory disease;
● Kidney and liver damage; and
● Cancer.
What are the benefits of using “green” or eco-friendly paint?
- Positive impact on the environment
As previously mentioned, regular paints contain chemicals, like toluene and naphthalene, that evaporate and contribute to environmental problems, such as climate change.
By using eco-friendly paint, you decrease the size of your carbon footprint. They are made from natural and sustainable materials that are compostable and biodegradable, so you would also be producing less waste. Eco-paints commonly contain plant extracts like seed oil, bee wax, and lemon peels.
2. Little to no VOC content
The VOC in most paints is what makes them harmful to people’s health and the environment. Eco-paints either contain zero VOC content or just traces of it.
Most paints with a low-level of VOCs are water-based (latex) rather than oil-based. Although they are not as strong-smelling as regular paints, there will still be a smell to them and always let out gas even if dried.
Even though there is no absolute zero when it comes to VOC content, paints labeled as such as still a better choice.
3. Fewer health risks
With the lack of VOCs, eco-paints have a non-toxic quality that makes them safer for people. It also reduces indoor allergens.
4. Cost-efficient
Upon initial purchase, eco-paints may look pricey. Be that as it may, they prove to be a cost-efficient choice in the long run, compared to traditional paints. Eco-paints are proven to have better paint coverage, color retention, abrasion resistance, and viscosity, making the paint last longer.
Cost-efficiency can also be seen in other ways indirectly related to additional costs. For example, using conventional paints can overexpose the building’s occupants to VOCs, allowing health concerns to develop. They would end up spending a lot on medical necessities, such as medicine and hospital trips.
5. Less susceptible to paint problems
Eco-paints are micro-porous, a characteristic that allows surfaces to breathe, preventing problems associated with moisture and condensation. Moreover, they are less prone to other paint problems, including blistering, flaking, and peeling.
Best Eco-Friendly Interior Paints
Behr’s line of Premium Plus paints is low-odor, eco-friendly, contains zero VOCs. It’s Greenquard Gold certified, guaranteeing that chemical emissions are low, making it a safe choice for indoor projects. More than that, it’s available as a two-in-one primer and paint, making the application process even easier.
Benjamin Moore’s Natura line is a collection of zero-VOCs paint that’s certified allergy- and asthma-friendly. The collection also has a variety of finishes — semi-gloss, eggshell, and flat — that are available in every color Benjamin Moore has.
BioShield has a line of eco-friendly paint options that are solvent-free and have zero-VOC content for interior and exterior painting jobs. They also offer wood stains and wall finishes.
This company strives to create and develop “healthy living paints,” products made of renewable and natural resources and without toxic additives and chemicals.
Clare Paint not only brings colors that are well-curated but environmentally friendly paints, as well. Their paints are Greenguard Gold Certified and zero-VOC. Production is low-waste as their factories practice methods like recycling packaging and uses water conservation systems.
Earth Pigments is another safe alternative to traditional, chemical-ridden paints. Its products are plant- and mineral-based, which means it’s sustainably produced.
However, unlike most paints, it requires more effort to use. You have to mix the pigments with other materials, but the result will be worth it.
Earth Pigments has a wide selection of rich colors, including ocher-made earth tones, natural mica, and bright oxide pigments.
ECOS Paint makes quality paints that are also environmentally friendly. Their ability to mix these two factors makes them a world-renowned brand that has been used in the likes of The Louvre, The Getty Museum, and West Minster Abbey. Their VOC-free organic paints are available in a wide selection of colors for interior and exterior projects.
Sherwin-Williams Harmony not only has a line of paints that are VOC-free, but they also have innovative technology that reduces indoor toxic emissions, purifying the areas’ air. Their products are guaranteed safe — the acrylic paint is GreenGuard® Certified for Children and Schools and GreenGuard® Indoor Air Quality Certified.
The Real Milk Paint Co. produces milk paint made from protein, a healthier and safer alternative to oil-based paints with high VOC content and water-based latex paints with low VOC content.
The Real Milk Paint Company has been operating since 1995. They have an extensive color collection of paints with a true-and-tested biodegradable formula.
Tips For Being More Eco-Friendly When Painting
- Choose low- or zero-VOC paints
Choosing the right kind of paint is a simple yet effective way to paint more eco-friendly. We have emphasized in this article how dangerous VOCs are in paints. So, on your next painting job, set out to find paints that are zero-VOCs or at least contain a low amount of them. By purchasing these types of paints, you minimize your carbon footprint and decrease the risk of developing health issues.
2. Apply zero-VOC primer
Paint is not the only product that contains VOCs, primer does too. Using regular primer with eco-paint would defeat the latter’s purpose. The paint would also adhere to the surface better and remain fresh longer if the paint and primer are both of the same types.
3. Use milk paints
Aside from plant-based paints, milk-based paints are another environment-friendly option.
Milk contains casein, a protein that can keep the pigment and paint solution together. This is safer than using conventional paints that contain harmful chemicals to hold the solution together.
However, you’ll need more skill to work with milk paints. There’s only a limited array of color options. Also, it initially comes in powder form, so after making the solution, you have to use it that same day.
4. Look for paints that are made from natural materials, plant dyes, and resins
Use paints that are made from natural and sustainable materials. They pose little to no harm to your health and the environment compared to the synthetic variations. Water-based natural paints have an undetectable smell and oil-based natural paints only have a slight scent, unlike the strong odor from regular oil-based paints.
5. Purchase only what’s necessary
Painting is an exact and accurate trade, so measuring is critical. Aside from getting the right amount of materials to make the perfect solution, preventing waste is a plus from buying only what’s needed.
6. Properly store paint you can still use
Your painting tools need proper care so you can use them for a long time. On the same note, you must take care of paints so they can last. If you do it right, you won’t have to continually throw out unusable paint, allowing you to save money and decrease waste.
Properly store residual paint in an area with the right temperature to prevent it from drying up. You should also read the paints storage instructions to make sure what you’re doing is right — not all paints are made the same.
7. Use task management software
Using effective subcontractor scheduling software for painting can be of immense help during projects. By staying organized, you avoid delays, issues, and wasted time and resources. Task management software can help you progress with efficiency and as little material waste as possible.
