| Interior design paint choices can be difficult. This | | | | reduced. It is important to note that low VOCs |
| article will look at each type of eco and natural | | | | still offgas, however the level is lower than with |
| paint, giving you the low down on each so that | | | | traditional paint types. There are currently no |
| you can make an informed decision. Some paints | | | | legislations as to what a low or zero VOC paint |
| and finishes claim to be natural, organic or | | | | can contain to be put into this class. |
| non-toxic. As with all claims of eco-friendliness, be | | | | Shellac paint |
| careful when choosing finishes as there are | | | | An interior paint made from natural, renewable |
| currently no legal requirements for manufacturers | | | | and sustainable insect resin which is a by product |
| regarding toxic chemical content. | | | | of the insects draining sap from tree bark. Lac is |
| The following list looks at natural and eco interior | | | | imported from overseas from regions such as |
| paint ideas for your walls and ceilings: | | | | Thailand and India. A quick drying timber varnish |
| Eco interior paint ideas - First choice | | | | which releases low levels of VOC emissions after |
| Linseed oil based paint | | | | application. Can suffer from wear and tear easier |
| Linseed comes from the flax plant is an ideal | | | | than other timber finishes. Suitable for low traffic |
| resource that is renewable, sustainable and readily | | | | timber flooring areas. When sourcing shellac, check |
| available. Some sources are found in by-products | | | | the label for added methanol as this chemical |
| from the food industry. The content of linseed oil | | | | reduces the eco-friendly nature of the product. |
| in paints can vary with some types that are | | | | Interior wood finish, both eco and natural |
| made with 100%. Any pigments which are added | | | | alternatives to synthetic timber finishes, oils and |
| do not contain solvents and are natural. The | | | | stains: |
| product lifetime can exceed synthetic paint types | | | | Natural wax |
| by up to one third. Suitable for interior and | | | | Plant based resources such as carnauba, candelilla |
| exterior applications. Paint will age and colours will | | | | plants and oils made from sunflower, soya bean |
| fade over time. This can be restored with a coat | | | | and thistle. All materials are renewable, sustainable |
| of new linseed oil. | | | | and readily available. Lower levels of toxic |
| Eco interior paint ideas - Second choice | | | | elements and low odour binding solvents - low |
| Wood and vegetable oil based paint | | | | levels of natural VOCs are released. Excellent stain |
| Made from natural elements such as soya bean | | | | resistant properties. Microporous products are |
| oils, oak bark and madder root - readily available | | | | suitable for interior & exterior applications |
| and renewable materials. Vegetable based | | | | allowing the timber to breathe. Finishes are |
| pigments fade over time. Natural VOCs are | | | | naturally transparent and oil-based making them |
| released from natural resins like turpentine and | | | | water-repellent. Suitable for interior uses, can be |
| citrus oils - these VOCs are not as toxic as | | | | polished to a sheen. Products must cure over a |
| traditional synthetic paint. Low levels of embodied | | | | few days before full strength and water resistant |
| energy. | | | | properties take effect. Once the wood has been |
| Casein, protein, distemper, milk based paint | | | | penetrated with the wax, it will not flake, peel or |
| An old fashioned interior paint mix made from | | | | blister. |
| milk protein and lime. Materials are non chemical, | | | | Natural oils |
| renewable and readily available. The product | | | | This finish is made from nuts and seeds such as |
| comes in powder form, to be mixed when | | | | linseed, soya, coumarone resin and tung oil. All of |
| needed. The casein/milk acts as the binder. Raw | | | | these renewable, sustainable materials are readily |
| materials are a non renewable resource extracted | | | | available. Transparent finishes are naturally |
| through quarrying, which destroys the surrounding | | | | oil-based making them water-repellent, however |
| natural environment. Application may cause skin | | | | less water resistant than synthetic finishes. |
| and eyes sensitivity as lime is a known irritant. | | | | Suitable for timber flooring and stairs and heavier |
| Some sources are found in by-products from the | | | | wear areas as the oils are durable. Flooring oil |
| food industry. Suitable for interior and exterior | | | | doesn't contain biocides or preservatives. Can be |
| applications. A breathable, water based and non | | | | used on all timber including cork finishes as well as |
| toxic paint. Multiple coats are needed for an | | | | stone and natural tiles. Natural oils are microporous |
| opaque finish. Milk paint is not appropriate for | | | | allowing timber to breathe and the oils prevent |
| damp environments as this causes the paint to | | | | timber from becoming too dry. Soya oils are |
| flake. The finish is washable, matt, soft and chalk | | | | quicker drying than linseed oils. Some products |
| like. | | | | contain carcinogens and naturally low levels of |
| Clay based paint | | | | VOCs. Two to three times the number of coats |
| Natural clay is a readily available and non toxic | | | | needed as well as longer drying times. Low levels |
| resource. Available in a small variety of colours. | | | | of embodied energy due to minimal manufacture. |
| Finish is entirely breathable and has very good | | | | Reapplication is more often than synthetic finishes. |
| natural anti fungal and anti static properties. | | | | Linseed oil alone can be used as a primer for |
| Entirely breathable finish which helps humidity and | | | | applying wax and great as an eco furniture oil. |
| trapped moisture levels. Available in flat matt or | | | | Once the wood has been penetrated with oil, it |
| textured wall effects. Good anti-static properties. | | | | will not flake, peel or blister. |
| A naturally non drip paint without polyurethane. | | | | Beeswax |
| Low levels of embodied energy. | | | | A fragrant and abundant resource giving a golden |
| Stone and mineral paint | | | | toned finish on timber surfaces. Finishes are |
| A water based paint made from crushed stones | | | | naturally oil-based making them water-repellent, |
| and minerals such as limestone, soap stone, | | | | however less durable and water resistant than |
| quartz sand and dolomite without the use of | | | | synthetic finishes. Reapplication is more often than |
| solvents. Materials are readily available. Mineral | | | | synthetic finishes. Once the wood has been |
| pigments are available in bold colours and do not | | | | penetrated with the wax, it will not flake, peel or |
| fade as easily as vegetable based paints. Durability | | | | blister. |
| on porous surfaces is very high. Good light | | | | Water based timber finish |
| reflectivity. Interior paint finish is entirely | | | | Releases low levels of VOCs. The low VOCs |
| breathable and has very good natural anti-fungal | | | | content and water based name does not mean |
| properties. These finishes create the same | | | | that chemical additives & binders have not |
| surface properties found in natural stone. Non | | | | been used. An odourless and clear finish. Not |
| combustible. Medium levels of embodied energy. | | | | recommended for flooring applications where |
| Lime, lime wash, whitewash, distemper paint | | | | heavy wear will occur. Solvent is water based |
| An alkaline powdered chalk or lime based paint | | | | however may contain toxic elements. Lifespan is |
| which is suited to painting on top of a clay or lime | | | | slightly less than synthetic varnish. No solvents |
| plaster base. Raw materials are a non renewable | | | | necessary to clean. |
| resource extracted through quarrying, which | | | | Primer, under coat, primer, eggshell, gloss and |
| destroys the surrounding natural environment. | | | | varnish |
| Quite a soft finish which can flake. Good | | | | Made from renewable and sustainable materials; |
| anti-fungal properties. A breathable, water based | | | | natural linseed oil and soya. Both microporous |
| and non toxic paint. Contains very low level of | | | | materials allowing the timber beneath to breathe. |
| VOCs. Multiple coats are needed for an opaque | | | | Good moisture resistance and material flexibility. |
| finish. Application may cause skin and eyes | | | | Suits both interior and exterior applications, |
| sensitivity as materials are known irritants. Some | | | | available in varying strengths. Available in a gloss |
| paints contain acrylic polymers. Cannot be painted | | | | or satin finish. Natural oil based materials may still |
| on gypsum plaster walls. | | | | offgas VOC emissions within your home. |
| Eco interior paint ideas - Third choice | | | | Interior wood finish; treatments, solvents, |
| Low-odour, low VOCs or zero VOCs paints | | | | strippers and removers: |
| There is some conflicting information surrounding | | | | Borax |
| these paints as low odour paints 'seem' to be | | | | A timber treatment with good insect and fungal |
| safe as they do not give off the typical paint | | | | repellent properties. Made from natural minerals |
| smell - leading you into a false sense of security. | | | | derivatives. |
| This does not mean that they are safe, only that | | | | Natural solvents |
| a different chemical process has been used. | | | | Natural resin oils, citrus peel and aliphatic solvents |
| Interior paints which state zero VOCs may well | | | | release allergens which you may be sensitive to. |
| be made with alternative chemical and toxic | | | | A fragrant additive which is used in strippers, |
| substances which are not classed as VOCs. Paint | | | | thinners and paint. |
| which states low VOCs offgas lower levels of | | | | Paint stripper & varnish remover |
| chemical vapours than synthetic paints. Both zero | | | | Water based without the use of solvents suitable |
| and low VOCs paints could have as a negative | | | | for removing water and oil based paints or |
| effect on your health, wellbeing and to the natural | | | | finishes whether natural or synthetic. Gel paint |
| environment as traditional synthetic paints do, | | | | remover is biodegradable and doesn't contain any |
| even though the level of exposure might be | | | | corrosive elements. |