No-VOC Paint Options

 Why did I choose paint to begin the blogging journey as The Green Realtor?  Well I figure that like using LED or CFL light bulbs it is one of the places that a homeowner can add Green solutions to their existing home and is one way to start to improve the indoor air quality.  Remember I am a student of these products and techniques just like you and the journey is very interesting and informative.  I am making an assumption that you already know what VOC’s in paint are but if you don’t you can check out this page from the EPA about Volatile Organic Compounds to see what all the fuss is about.  Essentially, it is the off-gas from ingredients used in everyday paint, and other products, that make us very sick.

Wow what a journey trying to find a natural non-VOC paint approved by a known green certification company like Green Seal or finding a natural paint to promote.   I think primarily the paint that is certified by other organizations may still contain solvents, which emit VOC’s when the colorant is added, which is a claim I am still investigating.  No matter what, the paints with approval and not just a claim of No-VOC’s would be a better choice. 

Therefore, here are my conclusions:  If you want to find paint, with a Green Seal certification as a no VOC paint, that you can find easily in your local area steer towards Benjamin Moore.   Follow this link to find out more about their paint. Natura® No-VOC Paint.  I will be doing more research on this in paint and the claim from another retailer that certified No-VOC paint still contains solvents, which emit VOC’s, but regulated by the government as a separate category from paint…another blog day.

Some interesting natural products have come to my attention in this research:

Milk paint is a natural product and the website is not afraid to share the MSDS sheets that show the natural ingredients.  My only concern on the west coast for this particular product is that it is not manufactured locally, but rather in Massachusetts.  If I can find a local source, I will share that information.  

A company in New Mexico with the name of Bioshield makes another line of products.  They sell clay paints, solvent free paints and stains as well as organic household cleansers for washing dishes to clothes to all-purpose cleaning.  The clay paints are particularly intriguing to me because of the finish and the color pallets.  You can order these online or visit one of the Washington Retailers.

Finally, in my search I found is Auro USA who really talk to their sustainable way of using natural ingredients to color and make their paint.  Some interesting YouTube videos’ on their website speak to this. Auro USA is a German based company that distributes out of Roseburg Oregon.  Follow this link to the brochure.        

Therefore, I think that there are some wonderful options available to us in this area and I will continue to look and see what alternatives I can find to all greener products for your home.    

Remember if you are making upgrades to an existing home to sell as a greener property, please reach out to me for some valuable tips in this area.  

Email me at the link below.

lrecknagle@gatewayre.com