Go green with paints and finishes
January 16, 2009
Go green with paints and finishes
By Diane Worley, Euro Builders & Remodelers, Inc.
Many companies are promoting the idea of protecting our environment through green remodeling. Many remodelers, however, are unaware that the paints and finishes used in home improvement projects can be part of this.
There are some wonderful products on the market today for the discriminating remodeler that are environmentally safe, with water bases and zero, to low, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These materials emit fewer odors, are mildew-resistant and are much friendlier to use, and live with, than items without these qualities.
Use paints, topcoats, and glazes with these attributes. If items are water-based, they will not require the use of harsh chemical solvents, and will not leak hazardous toxins into the environment that are harmful to those exposed to them. Instead, you need only use water to clean them up. This averts the process of sending harmful products down the drain into the sewer system.
Water-based finishes can work well on cabinets, such as in products that come from Faux Effects International, Inc. For greenest results, refinish existing cabinets in a kitchen or bathroom, so that they look like new pieces of furniture, rather than replacing them.
Major paint manufacturers, including Sherwin-Williams, have reduced the amounts of solvents in their products, which also decreases the quantity of dangerous odors that are emitted. Check the labels for these qualities; also, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Many products are safe once they dry, but off-gas harmful chemicals when wet. This is true for many oil-based paints, and especially lacquers, that emit fumes when damp that can cause headaches, nausea and, in large quantities, can affect the kidneys.
Minimize exposure to these toxins by not only choosing materials that are environmentally friendly, but also by ensuring adequate ventilation. If possible, use materials outdoors. If this is not an option, then make sure you have windows and doors open, and a working fan to blow the fumes outside.
Because of the dangerous nature of the chemicals that paints, glazes, or topcoats emit, it is safest to properly seal, and then to dispose of, partly used paint cans. Avoid tossing them into the trash, and contact your local municipality to inquire whether there is a special location where it collects hazardous materials.
If you choose to save extra paint after finishing a project, seal it tightly and keep it in a well-ventilated area. You should also make sure to store it out of the reach of children, because they are very susceptible to such hazards.
Overall, note that some products are more environmentally friendly than others. As a green remodeler, be careful to choose those items that will contribute to maintaining an environment that is clean and safe for all of us.