Eco Paint

Organic paints are the ideal choice for the green builder. These often contain Zero VOC’s or solvents, They don’t contain heavy metals as pigment and do not use other environmentally unfriendly materials such as vinyl chloride. These types of paints use water as there solvents and although they do contain some synthetic ingredients such as binders (due to natural oil based binders taking days to dry and others such as rosins requiring solvents like turpentine to be of any use) they are still non toxic. Organic paints often tend to be more “breathable” then synthetic paints, this is important as painting surfaces with modern paints which have low breathability can ‘seal in’ dampness. Using a breathable paint is important on new walls and plaster, which can take a number of years to dry thoroughly. Low breathable paints will also result in increased condensation which encourages mould growth.

Recycled paint is also an option for the green builder. Paint can be recycled using two methods re blending and reprocessing. Re blended paint is manufactured from left over paint handed into recycling centres this is then screened and remixed using little new materials, however colour choice is limited to some neutral colours (I.e. white’s). Reprocessed paint takes the same recycled paint and mixes it with new materials allowing a much wider choice of colours. Reprocessed paint should be used for exterior painting with re blended used internally, this is because reprocessed is a higher quality then re blended. Recycled materials can also be used in paint, for example glass can be recycled into paint with some recycled paints containing up to 30% glass.

Paint no longer needs to be thought of as a toxic but necessary part of the build, low VOC, organic and recycled paint are now readily available to the green builder and can cut the environmental impact of the structure as well as improving the air quality for its occupants.