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October/November Ê2007 by Kate Harris National Geographic The Green Guide http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/122/paint Recently, I bought a new home, and the first things that had to go were the lime green walls in my office and the grandmotherly floral wallpaper everywhere else. Fearing the headaches I get from stronger smelling, conventional paints, I tried out several brands of low-odor paints with reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to see which would go best in my new home. First up: the solvent-free and the clay paints made by BioShield, which claims theirs are the "purest" paints on the market, using naturally derived raw materials, such as tree resins and inert mineral fillers. Although I expected the clay paint to look like adobe, the end product was less textured than I'd imagined and gave my study a subtle, warm and natural look (for an even more textured style, choose the clay plaster). The main ingredients are water, clay, chalk, alcohol ester, cellulose, and a preservative, creating a paint that is incredibly easy to clean up, not to mention easy on the lungs. Color mixing is simple, though not essential: One gallon of white combined with one gallon Casa Adobe gave an odor-free coat to my previously dull office. As for problems, it took two coats to mask the old lime green, and touch up was required after removing protective tape, which peeled away some of the color leading me to believe the paint isn't quite as durable as conventional latex. However, one gallon was more than enough to cover an 11- by 12-foot room. BioShield's Solvent Free paint also won stars in my book, having virtually no odor, attractive colors and easy application and clean up. The only down side? While BioShield offers many pleasing colors, they are still limited to less than 50 varieties, unless you order 25 gallons or more, which opens up a custom tinting option (Clay: $40/gal; Solvent Free: $34/gal for matte, $42/gal satin finish paints; www.bioshieldpaint.com) If you need something widely available, consider Sherwin Williams' Harmony line. It's an interior latex, zero-VOC and low-odor alternative, which like its higher-VOC conventional latex counterpart comes in a huge variety of colors and can be matched to any sample. For the trim work in my office (see photo, above) I used the primer and paint, both handling much like traditional latex, minus the lower odor (interior latex, $39.99/gal; find local retailers at www.sherman-williams.com). Next on my brush was AFM Safecoat's new Ayurveda Essence, VOC-free paints that use pigments based on the ancient East Indian Ayurveda healing system. For my dining room, I chose the Surya Namaska from the Vata range, which like most of the colors is saturated and mood lifting (see photo). While the paint did have a slight odor, it handled well and was a breeze to clean up. Offering least-toxic ingredients (without formaldehyde, solvents, heavy metals or other hazardous ingredients ) and an extremely wide color lineup (108 tints), AFM provided the flexibility I was looking for. It was also easier to find in local specialty stores than milk and clay paints (zero-VOC semi gloss interior latex $37.90/gal; transitional primer, $42.90/gal; www.greenbuildingsupply.com). Milk paint boasts a long history of use (over 6,000 years!) and lacks chemical solvents, made instead from a base of milk protein and lime mixed with earth pigments. However, I couldn't help but wonder if it would make my walls smell like the dairy aisle of a supermarket. The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.'s mix arrives in packets of powder, which saves on costs as well as fuel, but it also meant I had to combine it with water myself and use it immediately (though it can be refrigerated for a few days in an airtight container). Although the color was rich and went on well, I found milk paint dull in luster with a coarse matte finish, an old-fashioned look you'd expect to see in an antique farmhouse. Furthermore, milk paint will seep into porous surfaces easily, which can result in splotchy, unevenly painted surfaces. It also requires sealing with a water-based acrylic clear finish (which contains ammonia) after application to prevent water spotting. In the end, I found the color too dark and, since I prefer more of a sheen to my walls, I chose against using milk paint. But it's still a good choice for decorative items like shelves, picture frames or furniture, especially if you like an antiqued look (paint $45.95/gal, clear coat $41.95/gal; www.milkpaint.com). Overall, I was happy with the range of options for my new home, and each paint had its standout attributes. Given the similar price tags ($34 to $46 per gallon), the choice should be made based on what your needs are. If you're looking for pigments of any color, try AFM (with over 900 color choices) or Sherwin-Williams (which can custom tint). For odor-free paint (particularly useful if scents bring on headaches or respiratory problems), check out BioShield, while those seeking an antique look should try milk paint. Although these prices may sound high, remember that your greatest expenses are for labor (your time is money, after all), not for the paint itself. Remember, too, to follow manufacturer advice in choosing roller naps and be sure to save unused paint in sealed cans for touchup later. Lastly, since many of these paints are easily found online, request a catalogue or sample palette as colors on your screen can appear quite different from the actual hue. For more information on paints, check out our Paint Product Report |
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