17 Best Paints for Your Home
Paint is the new cigarette. We assumed it was safe, but it turns out that’s not the case. More and more studies have confirmed the paint formulas we’ve used for years off gas toxic chemicals — known as VOCs — into the air.
According to the EPA, indoor air quality is 2 to 5 times worse than that outdoors. Granted, that’s not solely due to paint. Carpets, fabrics, caulk, composite wood products and vinyl floors off gas as well. But paint is one of the leading VOC venters.
Why does that matter? Like cigarettes, VOCs wreak havoc on our health. You may have experienced some of their effects while painting: headaches, nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, respiratory irritation, loss of coordination and even rashes. I know I have, and that’s only their initial effects. Studies have yet to confirm the exact extent to which they harm us; however, VOCs are known to cause damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system, as well as cancer. So it’s best to avoid them.
Of course that brings up the all too common question: How long do paints off gas VOC? After all, if it’s only for a day or two after painting, can’t I just open the windows? No.
While there’s still controversy surrounding the amount of time paint off gasses, a number of studies are finding paints continue to off gas long after they dry. A study conducted in 1999, found less then half the VOCs in paint off gassed in the first year, and another study conducted in 2002 by the EPA found paint continued to off gas for 42 months after application.
So when it comes to choosing indoor — and outdoor — paint, your best bet is to select one that’s VOC free. Fortunately, a number of paint companies have caught on. Below, I’ve listed the best VOC free paint brands to try.
Which paint do I use? I’ve used both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams with success; however, on my next round of painting, I plan on trying an even more eco-friendly version for one main reason: They’re even safer.
Just because a paint is VOC free doesn’t mean it’s toxin free. There are a number of paints that still include harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, and while those chemicals may not off gas, they are known carcinogens. So if you want the best paint for your health, be sure to look at the label on any paint before buying. Check to make sure it has no hazardous material warnings. Your body will thank you.
1. AFM Safecoat
A long-standing leader in low-toxicity paint, AFM Safecoat’s paints are a favorite among those who suffer from allergies and chemical sensitivities.
VOC free: All of their indoor paint.
cost: $$
colors: over 900
2. Anna Sova Food Paint
An eco-friendly, milk paint made of up to 94% food ingredients.
VOC free: All of their paint.
cost: $$$
colors: over 500
3. Benjamin Moore
A favorite among interior designers and contractors.
VOC free: Natura Paint, Fresh Start Primers, Impervex Latex High Gloss and Ultra Spec 500 Interior
cost: $$
colors: over 3,400
4. Bioshield Paint
Offers a clay paint, solvent-free wall paint, as well as two specialty wall finishes, a wall glaze and a color wash.
VOC free: All of their paints.
cost: $$
colors: over 84
5. Citron Paint
A boutique paint made of the finest ingredients. Each color is super-rich and lovingly made by the owner, C J Volk, who happens to be unbelievably nice.
VOC free: None; however, a special VOC free version can be made for you.
cost: $$
colors: 99
6. Devine Color
A paint line offering a curated collection of colors.
VOC free: All interior paints.
cost: $$
colors: over 136
7. Dunn Edwards
A high quality paint brand popular in the Southwest.
VOC free: ENSO
cost: $$
colors: 1,696
8. Earthborn Paints
Based in Great Britain, Earthborn Paints offers a clay paint, milk paint and emulsion paint.
VOC free: All of their paints.
cost: $$
colors: over 48
9. Farrow & Ball
A favorite among designers, Farrow & Ball offers a wide range of historic colors.
VOC free: None. Their paints contain low or minimal VOCs.
cost: $$$
colors: 132
10. Green Planet Paints
An eco-friendly paint made of plant resins and mineral pigments.
VOC free: All of their paint.
cost: $$
colors: 48
11. Homestead House
A Canadian company offering both milk and latex paint.
VOC free: Milk paint and Interior Zero VOC Latex
cost: $$
colors: 227
12. Mythic Paint
A paint truly devoted to keeping their paints completely VOC free.
VOC free: All of their paint is VOC free.
cost: $$
colors: 1,232
13. Milk Paint
An authentic, old-fashioned milk paint.
VOC free: Milk Paint, Safe Paint, Antique Crackle
cost: $$
colors: 20
14. Pratt & Lambert
Owned by Sherwin Williams, Pratt & Lambert is a good, dependable paint.
VOC free: ReedSeal Zero VOC Interior Latex
cost: $$
colors: 1,056
15. Sherwin Williams
A trusted and reliable national paint company.
VOC free: Harmony Interior Acrylic
cost: $$
colors: over 1,500
16. Sydney Harbour Paints
Based in Sydney, Australia, this high-quality paint company offers a plethora of rich colors and a variety of specialty paints including, a lime wash, french wash, milk paint, chalkboard paint, liquid iron, liquid copper and more.
VOC free: Acrylic paint line, Lime Wash and Milk Paint
cost: $$$
colors: 309
17. YOLO Colorhouse
An environmentally friendly paint company dedicated to providing VOC free paint that offers a well-curated selection of paint colors.
VOC free: All of their paint.
cost: $
colors: 98
8 Responses to "17 Best Paints for Your Home"
Great product. It seems to be a eco-friendly which will surely be good for the environment.
I use these paints within some of the areas that I work at. First let me give you some practical knowledge I have obtained over the years about zero and low VOC paints.
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Do not purchase YOLO paint. We painted our son’s room in July and there was still a horrible offgassing odor in November. We repainted and the smell came back. We recently put shellac on our walls to seal out the odor. We are extremely frustrated with the YOLO company who have ‘t taken any responsibilty for the damgage they caused. Our next step is to tear out the wallboard. Do not purchase YOLO paint!
Do not purchase YOLO paint. We painted in July with their paint and the odor/ offgass smell was still there in November. We repainted with another paint thinking that would help but the odor came back. We recently painted with a shellac to seal in the odor. We are waiting to see if this works. If it doesn’t we will have to tear out our wallboard. YOLO paint company have not helped or supported us through this process. I thought I was buying a green paint for my son’s room and it has turned out to be a huge problem. My son is unable to sleep in his room.
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