When it comes time to repaint your home, you may want to consider all of the eco-friendly paint options that are on the market today. These paints are safer for your children and pets. Plus, they are environmentally conscious!
Are these eco-friendly paints worth the cost? Let’s find out!
What should you know about volatile organic chemicals?
Everyone knows what a newly painted room smells like. This odor actually comes from volatile organic chemicals (VOCs for short). Eco-friendly, natural paint has been specially designed to have lower levels of VOCs.
On the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, it states that VOCs “may have short – and longer-term adverse health effects,” and “while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.”
Although this is dependent on the duration and level of exposure, the side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Nose, eye, and throat irritation
- Dizziness
These side effects are the reason we always paint in well ventilated areas! Although this list may sound scary, keep in mind that even traditional paints abide by certain legal standards. These standards manage toxic ingredients and keep all paints safe in your home. However, low or zero-VOC paints are healthier choices!
Why choose a low or zero-VOC paint?
Any time you paint, there is a threat to your indoor air quality. The EPA estimates that the indoor concentration of VOCs can rise up to 1,000 times that of levels found outside. Although fans and open windows help the air quality, using low or zero-VOC paint can be particularly helpful in rooms with little ventilation.
When it comes to pick an eco-friendly paint, it is important to make sure that a high quality paint brand is used. Some brands advertise as being low or zero-VOC, but they fail to account for the VOCs added to the colorants or tints. The team at AG Williams Painting will be able to recommend our favorite highest quality low or zero-VOC paints.
On days when you can’t have windows open, it is much safer to use low or zero-VOC paints. Although you will still smell an odor, this odor is safe to breath. We often recommend using low or zero-VOC paints in homes with children, animals and those who have sensitivities to strong smells.
AG Williams Painting: New York’s painter of choice
Here at AG Williams Painting, we are committed to offering the safest paint for your home, and the environment! Our safety standards are set high. We are cautious to keep the area open and well ventilated as we work in your home, and can provide suggestions for high quality low and zero-VOC paint brands.
As a locally owned company, we deeply care about our community. Our reputation is well known in the area, and we are proud to be Westchester and Fairfield counties first choice for all of your painting needs. When it’s time to paint your home, you can count on us. Set up an estimate online, or give us a call.