We live in a time when the environment and healthy living are at the forefront of even the most mundane activities. Paint is no different, manufacturers today are producing a variety of environmentally friendly paints for consumer and commercial use.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been blamed for respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, and more severe long-term health problems. Low and no VOC paints have been on the market for years, and have improved immensely in their quality and ease of use. VOCs are chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene that are added during the manufacturing process. These chemicals are also a main culprit in that familiar and lasting “new paint” smell.
Lucky for us, like the introduction of reusable grocery bags and metal straws, there are many beautiful all-natural paint options hitting the market. You want color? There are more than we can count, including shades that would easily fit your home’s décor, a professional office space and even historical restoration requirements. Think Capitol Hill.
Let’s take a quick look at just a few of the new all-natural paints popular in today’s market:
- Milk Paint is made from a milk protein. It is not water, latex or oil based. Many companies even offer lose pigments, so you can create your own colors. This paint is a fantastic option for furniture.
- Low and No VOC options are still great for interior wall paint. These continue to improve and most leading paint manufacturers offer them. In fact, the production of many of these paints is becoming more and more natural, as well as more and more versatile. Check out Benjamin Moore Natura, which is certified asthma and allergy friendly. For spaces where kids spend time, you might check out Sherwin-Williams Harmony with Greenguard®, certified for clean air, children and schools. Manufacturers such as Home Depot’s Behr, also offer Greenguard paints.
- Plant based, chalk and organic paints are being created from mineral and plant pigments that are harvest from the earth. The color components in these paints are sustainable and the paint is safe and environmentally friendly.
Your contractor or home improvement store can discuss the options with you. We want our customers in Arlington, McClean, Falls Church and all of Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. to enjoy their newly painted space, without any unwanted side effects. For more information and recommendations about environmentally friendly and organic paint options, visit The Good Trade, OPRAH.com, Green America or any of your favorite paint brand websites.