Rock the Coat

Umbra on eco-friendly paint

Posted by Bricolage at 12:20 PM on 01 Feb 2006

When it comes to disturbingly pleasing odors, fresh paint ranks right up there with the interior of a new car. But alas, we must put our olfactory peccadilloes aside and remind you of the terrible chemicals in paint, and how important it is to find less-toxic applications for your thirsty walls. When a new homeowner asks Umbra Fisk for tips on which paint to use, our advice maven lays it on thick.

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"Green" Paint

In Portland, Oregon the city has a recycled/used paint program. http://topaz.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleID=521
You can purchase 5 gallon buckets of paint that are donated by contractors, home remodelers, etc. Admitedly, the color choices are not as extensive as you'll find at Home Depot, but it's a great way to use up paint that would otherwise be dumped. Perhaps other cities have similar programs.

Randi M

by peekadog at 3:03 PM on 01 Feb 2006

Green Paint

I just painted my bathroom with Benjamin Moore's low VOC Eco-Spec paint. I have to say I was very impressed with the results. The walls were already white so I didn't have to prime, but I only had to do one coat to get good coverage. It's a bit more expensive than the non-eco friendly paints, but in my mind it's well worth it.

by flashgrl at 5:46 PM on 01 Feb 2006

Benjamin Moore

I too recently repainted with BM's Ecospec paint. I also think that it covered just as well as their Regal line. As for cost, BM has always been more expensive than other paints you'd find at home depot, but the Ecospec was a few dollars cheaper than the Regal at the store I went to in northern Virginia. If I have to paint again, Ecospec will be at the top of my list.

by mathemagician at 8:28 AM on 02 Feb 2006

Milk Paint

Don't forget milk paint -- www.milkpaint.com.

I haven't seen an entire wall painted with it, but the samples I've seen are very nice indeed!

by oryahk at 12:32 PM on 07 Feb 2006

Why yellow?

by thirt7s3ven at 10:50 AM on 18 Feb 2006

response

The odors of paint sure is disturbing. I never have to ensure with them since the paint I usually got from the store is odorless. I'm not sure if it's termed under eco-friendly paint. But I think it should. Nice tips on though.

LIVE LIFE FULLY

by boa at 6:59 AM on 09 Mar 2006

Green Seal Link

Here is a working link for Green Seal's list of certified paints.

http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm#paints

by mbp1111 at 9:09 PM on 06 Sep 2007

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