Styling Your House with Earth Friendly Paints

Looking to repaint your house with environmentally safe paints? Not only would that be beneficial to the earth but to your health as well. Studies have shown that indoor air can be more harmful to you than outdoor air, primarily due to toxic paints and finishes found in your home. So why not used "green" paint instead? Not only are they just as effective as regular commercial paints, but can cost the same or even less than them as well. Here is a handy guide to get you started in the right direction in bettering you and the earth.

There are three types of "green" paints: "natural" paints, "No VOC" paints, and "Low VOC" paints. "Natural" paints are comprised of natural raw ingredients such as water, plants (their oils, resins, and dyes), minerals (such as clay and chalk), bees wax, and dyes from minerals and earth. Plants that are water based natural paints generally have no smell, and oil based natural paints usually have a pleasant fragrance of oils. Thus, any allergies or sensitivities to these paints is considered rare. "Natural" paints are deemed to be the safest for both your and the environment. Some popular brands of "natural" paints are: "EcoDesign's BioShield", "SoyGuard" (soy-based paint products), "Green Planet Paints" (paints based on ingredients from plants and minerals), "The Real Milk Paint Company" (Paint made from milk protein and other natural sources), and "Masters Blend".

" Zero VOC" paints are paints with VOC's in the range of five grams or fewer. "VOC" stands for "volatile organic compounds". These types of paints are considered to be odorless, organic, non-toxic, and non-allergenic. Some popular brands include: "Ecos Paints", "Best Paint Company", "Kelly-Moore Enviro-Cote", "Devoe Wonder Pure", "American Pride", "Sherwin Williams Harmony", "Frazee Paint EnviroKote", "Green Planet Paints", "Benjamin Moore Pristine EcoSpec", and "EarthSafePaints".

"Low VOC" paints use water as a base instead of petroleum based solvents. This way the levels of harmful emissions are lower in comparison. These types of paints also contain very low levels of heavy metals and formaldehyde. However, these paints will still give off an odor while drying which may be a problem for those with allergies or sensitivities.