Comments on: Low VOC and zero VOC paint, a tale of our green renovation project http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm Useful environmentally friendly news and advice. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:07:10 +0000 hourly 1 By: Audrey http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-4101 Audrey Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:30:38 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-4101 From what I have researched. Most paint claiming to be Low or No VOC is still toxic. Look for paint with no formaldehyde. AFM SafeCoat is very forthcoming about what is in their paint. Zero VOC paint is allowed to have 50 ppb (parts per billion) of VOC in them. SafeCoat's Low-VOC paint has 20 ppb, and it can be tinted in a variety of colors. Best choice on the market in my opinion. Easy to find online using AFM SafeCoat's website dealer locate button and can be ordered online from several sites. From what I have researched. Most paint claiming to be Low or No VOC is still toxic. Look for paint with no formaldehyde. AFM SafeCoat is very forthcoming about what is in their paint.
Zero VOC paint is allowed to have 50 ppb (parts per billion) of VOC in them. SafeCoat’s Low-VOC paint has 20 ppb, and it can be tinted in a variety of colors. Best choice on the market in my opinion. Easy to find online using AFM SafeCoat’s website dealer locate button and can be ordered online from several sites.

]]> By: raphael http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1951 raphael Mon, 22 Oct 2007 02:49:27 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1951 THIS PAINT REALLY STINKS!!!!!! This is a high quality thick paint with great coverage. I bought it because it is advertised as no voc ( evil off gas) and low odor. I was going to by a soy paint or even milk paint t use in my 2 year olds room. I decided to give a major company a chance. I was so glad to see such a product in lowes! When painting the smell might not have been as strong as latex I've known. I painted my daughters room and she hasn't been able to sleep in it for 2 weeks because it still stinks! How can this be called low odor? I had to buy a 300 dollar air cleaner to use the room! THIS PAINT REALLY STINKS!!!!!!

This is a high quality thick paint with great coverage. I bought it because it is advertised as no voc ( evil off gas) and low odor. I was going to by a soy paint or even milk paint t use in my 2 year olds room. I decided to give a major company a chance. I was so glad to see such a product in lowes! When painting the smell might not have been as strong as latex I’ve known. I painted my daughters room and she hasn’t been able to sleep in it for 2 weeks because it still stinks! How can this be called low odor? I had to buy a 300 dollar air cleaner to use the room!

]]> By: AV http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1516 AV Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:24:12 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1516 I had bought the zero VOC paints from the Sherwin Williams store (Brand: Harmony). I found it better to just ask for the brand name. There is significantly less odor in zero VOC paint. That point alone is enough for me to buy only zero VOC paint. I had bought the zero VOC paints from the Sherwin Williams store (Brand: Harmony). I found it better to just ask for the brand name.
There is significantly less odor in zero VOC paint. That point alone is enough for me to buy only zero VOC paint.

]]> By: Lars http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1492 Lars Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:03:09 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1492 Hi Shari, What else did you do with your eco-renovation besides paint? I am looking for ideas, as well as additional LEED points! Hi Shari,

What else did you do with your eco-renovation besides paint?

I am looking for ideas, as well as additional LEED points!

]]> By: Shari http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1487 Shari Fri, 24 Aug 2007 01:34:04 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1487 I went with my husband to Lowe's for our paint for our eco-renovation, and the paint person was very proud to tell us about Olympic. We chose a nice, low-VOC seafoam green. I went with my husband to Lowe’s for our paint for our eco-renovation, and the paint person was very proud to tell us about Olympic. We chose a nice, low-VOC seafoam green.

]]> By: Lars http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1486 Lars Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:14:11 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1486 Thanks for the links, Amy and David! It's been like this with the whole green building project, to some extent. First I found it impossible to find an architect who does LEED projects who would even return my calls. Then I called several places trying to get a LEED consultant or a green building consultant, but none of them would return calls either. I guess it must be a good business to be in, where they are so busy that they cherry pick their favorite stuff and ignore the rest. (Although none of them even got far enough with me to know what my project was about!) I ended up with a great architect who is really interested and willing to learn, so it turned out okay. But we've basically had to figure out every step of the way ourselves, because there has been no one qualified to help who is willing, and no one willing who has been qualified! Green building is definitely nowhere close to mainstream here in Dallas. I can only imagine how it would be in a smaller city environment! Thanks for the links, Amy and David!

It’s been like this with the whole green building project, to some extent.

First I found it impossible to find an architect who does LEED projects who would even return my calls.

Then I called several places trying to get a LEED consultant or a green building consultant, but none of them would return calls either.

I guess it must be a good business to be in, where they are so busy that they cherry pick their favorite stuff and ignore the rest. (Although none of them even got far enough with me to know what my project was about!)

I ended up with a great architect who is really interested and willing to learn, so it turned out okay.

But we’ve basically had to figure out every step of the way ourselves, because there has been no one qualified to help who is willing, and no one willing who has been qualified!

Green building is definitely nowhere close to mainstream here in Dallas. I can only imagine how it would be in a smaller city environment!

]]> By: David http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1484 David Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:01:05 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1484 Great overview!! I think it is amazing how there is such a disconnect between the marketing hype and the retail level to push the product! I found a few other manufacturers at http://www.getwithgreen.com under their paints and finishes section. Great overview!! I think it is amazing how there is such a disconnect between the marketing hype and the retail level to push the product! I found a few other manufacturers at http://www.getwithgreen.com under their paints and finishes section.

]]> By: Amy http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1481 Amy Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:16:08 +0000 http://www.practicalenvironmentalist.com/green-building/low-voc-and-zero-voc-paint-a-tale-of-our-green-renovation-project.htm#comment-1481 Benjamin Moore makes Eco Spec which is GreenSeal and GreenGuard certified. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=contentrenderer_1_3&contentrenderer_1_3_actionOverride=%2Fbm%2Fcms%2FContentRenderer%2FgetDirectContentLink&_pageLabel=fh_findproducts Benjamin Moore also makes Aura, which is another low VOC paint, but unlike EcoSpec, is able to be tinted in a deep base. http://www.myaurapaint.com/ Both are consistent with the quality of Benjamin Moore products! Benjamin Moore makes Eco Spec which is GreenSeal and GreenGuard certified.
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=contentrenderer_1_3&contentrenderer_1_3_actionOverride=%2Fbm%2Fcms%2FContentRenderer%2FgetDirectContentLink&_pageLabel=fh_findproducts

Benjamin Moore also makes Aura, which is another low VOC paint, but unlike EcoSpec, is able to be tinted in a deep base.
http://www.myaurapaint.com/

Both are consistent with the quality of Benjamin Moore products!

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