When we started building green projects more than five years ago, the approved product selection for meeting standards by third party rating systems, such as LEED and Built Green, was extremely limited – paint being one. An early conversation with a painter on a townhome project had us concerned about paint quality and longevity, not to mention justifying to someone who’s been painting with the ‘good stuff’ for twenty years the cost differential. READ: “why are you paying more for a product that is has less in it.”
Now, no-VOC or low-VOC paints have become widely available – even Home Depot offers a line of Glidden paints that have low or no VOCs. And as a result, it should be a no brainer selection for everyone painting or repainting homes and buildings.
Periodically, we are still asked – do low or no VOC paints really matter? The short answer is yes.
And, the long answer is yes. Conventional paints and coatings contain and emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that contribute to smog outdoors and pollute the indoors (some even have known carcinogens). The result is not completely clear, however early indications of respiratory problems have been disclosed. And, when paints without such ingredients are available – it begs the question, why put yourself and your family at risk.
Here’s a couple of our favorites:
