If you're just getting into green paints then you know how complicated it can seem. We've been there. Greenseal this, certified that. Low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds), etc. We've been using no VOC paints for years, and we thought we'd share our favorites with you. Take a look, after the jump!
Best Eco-Friendly Paints
We're huge fans of YOLO. They're based out of Portland and are owned and operated by women. We use their paints a lot. Like all the paints we're going to share with you, YOLO is VOC free. They divide their palettes into categories like air, water, and stone. Our favorite is the leaf palette, and we used the LEAF.07 color for our bed and rocking chair.
$39.95 per gallon.
AFM Safecoat has really great palettes. We also use them for all of our bases and white trim paint. They have a new no VOC line called Ayurveda Essence (we haven't used it yet) that has fantastic colors (108 of them!). AFM Safecoat's paints come in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss.
$38.90 per gallon.
Mythic Paint's have a huge amount of colors available to you, and they're all fantastic. We've used them plenty of times and we gotta say, they just might be our favorite. The company also claims that their paints are free of carcinogenic chemicals.
$39.50 per gallon.
And there you have it! Our three favorite green paints, all VOC free!
Top Image: tsmyther
Comments (9)
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Thanks for the recommendations! I've only tried Aura paint among the low VOC paints, and I've been very happy with its amazing coverage, fast drying time, and sheen. It comes in all the standard Benjamin Moore colors, and a unique set of Aura collection colors. Because it is an acrylic paint, you need to cut-in your edges first and let that dry before doing the rest of your walls.
view figs's profile
I have used both Yolo and Aura. Both are expensive, but good.
I love the Yolo (the paint and the company), but the colors are very limited. They work well together, but don't leave too many options. This paint also goes on very thick .
Aura has the best color selection and is also an amazing paint. I have found that I need 2-3 coats to get really good coverage. And it just has a slight odor.
After paint three rooms with Yolo and two with Aura, I am looking again at the Aura for a color for our bedroom. I have not used the others because they are not available in my area.
view Robbybird's profile
figs - can you explain what you mean by "cut-in your edges"?
Thanks.
view Robbybird's profile
We used Benjamin Moore's Aura for our recent painting and it was 1000 times better than before. Plus it has a very durable finish.
view Morgante's profile
The difference between Aura and the paints listed is that Aura is low-VOC whereas these ones are zero VOC.
view sallyTV's profile
Robbybird - See here: http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/video/painting-tips-cut-in-a-straight-line.aspx
view sparkle's profile
Thanks sparkle - a great video. I have always done that (husband used to paint houses many years ago), just didn't know the technical name for it.
I hate painters tape, never works.
view Robbybird's profile
Low-VOC or Zero-VOC does not necessarily translate into eco-friendly or "good for the environment".
The VOC-system adopted in the US to evaluate paint is simplistic and does not capture all necessary environmental impact. It does not consider life-cycle emissions and issues. The Europeans recognize the greater complexity of the issue, and have developed different ratings and different coatings as a result.
I know that when the New York Times appears to bless the concept of VOC that it becomes a gold standard, but there really is more to the issue, and people need to research it for themselves in order to be able to make the best possible environmental decision.
view mschatelaine's profile
I have used Yolo in a few rooms in my house. I love love end result! I really like that Yolo is a true 'green' company. They have never produced a toxic product, and their company has an eco mission. Go Yolo!
view sandra971's profile