Painting is an easy way to freshen the look of your home.
“Painting is a great tool that can be used to emphasize architectural features of a space inexpensively and to create a focal point in a room,” says Hallie M. Bowie, GCP, of New Leaf Home Design in Akron, Ohio.
However, painting’s also an easy way to introduce chemicals into your home, so it’s important to take into account more than just color when making your selection.
The chemical makeup of the paint is a large consideration, but other items, such as durability and efficiency, should be checked as well.
Paints that are environmentally friendly will contain low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and be water-based rather than petroleum-based. The reason to use paint with a minimum amount of VOCs is that they can irritate the throat, nose and eyes; cause dizziness and headaches; or impair memory or vision, according to The Healthy House Institute, LLC, which provides information to help consumers make their homes healthier. Some VOCs are known carcinogens, while others are only suspected to cause cancer.
Because consumers are more aware of the dangers of the benefits of paints without VOCs, more manufacturers have started to offer this variety, which has also expanded the amount of color palettes available, says Mike Powers, CKBR, GCP, of Powers General Contracting, Inc., in Glenolden, Pa.
However, consumers should be aware that when some manufacturers add pigment to paint lines, they may also add VOCs, Bowie says. This is especially true with darker hues. Choose a base from a line with as few VOCs as possible, and then select colors according to preference, Bowie advises.
Other suggestions include using paints that are hypoallergenic and do not contain latex, says Tom Terranova, of Tom Terranova Painting & Decorative Wall Finishes in Coalinga, Calif. Terranova recommends the paint brands Mythic Paints and AFM Safecoat, saying that these are the only non-toxic ones he’s found. Each line is entirely free of VOCs.
Paints that contain latex are superior to paints with oil bases, Bowie says, because latex paints have fewer VOCs than oil-based ones do and have more breathability and elasticity. Elasticity refers to the ability of the material to move with changes in temperature and in humidity, preventing damage to the paint.
Purchasing paints
One way to paint in an environmentally sound fashion is to minimize waste by buying only what you will need to complete your project. Match the surface to the type of paint recommended for it.
Choosing a color you will be satisfied with in the long run is also key. Many stores provide color swatches for you to take home. Take a few of the same color, tape together and then tape to the wall. Or, many paint companies now sell sample paints for you to actually paint directly onto the wall in a small area, to see how the paint will dry.
If you’re using paints as a way to increase the energy-efficiency of the house, select bright colors. This causes you to decrease energy usage by cutting the need for artificial light.
Like many things green, safer paints may cost more than toxic brands. However, they are worth the increased cost.
“High-quality paints and premium paint supplies [are] well worth the investment, as they can make the painting process go smoother and the resulting surfaces more durable—so you have to repair less often,” according to Chicago’s Department of Environment Green Home Remodeling Series: Painting installment.
The right stuff
In addition to selecting the right paint, choosing the right tools also makes a difference. The basics are brushes, rollers, drop cloths or tarps, and tape. Pick the right tool for the job. Use an angled brush for trim and corners and a flat one for surfaces. Also, note the following waste-reducing tip from the Chicago Department of the Environment’s painting guide: for “a multi-day paint job, store brushes and rollers overnight without rinsing them out first. Simply cover brushes and rollers in a tight-fitting plastic bag or with plastic wrap (making sure to remove air), and then place them in the freezer until you’re ready to use them the next day.” This will decrease the amount of painted wasted by washing out the tools at the end of each day.
Don’t forget to factor in time to adequately prepare the surface before you paint. If the surface has never been painted before, use a primer. This will help the paint stick. Although oil-based primers were often used in the past, there are now water-based, high-quality acrylic primers available.
A water-based paint makes cleanup easier because you can use mild soap and water. If you have dried latex or acrylic paint, apply vinegar to remove them. To store brushes, wrap them in paper, which you can easily do by tearing up a paper grocery bag. Leave extra paint in the original can and identify the container with the room and the date on which it was applied.
Follow these suggestions to green your painting project and to maintain a safe indoor environment for your family.