Whether you’re painting a room or painting a porch, you’re probably finding yourself somewhat overwhelmed by the many different options available. When it comes to paint, there is an array of differences between one type or another — from shade to finish, different types of paint can be incredibly unique from one another. With that being said, it’s important to — perhaps ironically — look beyond the surface of the paints you’re using. In this day and age, many are not only considering the appearance of the paints they’re using, but their ingredients. Health-focused paints, eco friendly paints, and air purifying paints are making a real difference in the industry.
Below, we’re going to look into some of the different aspects that you may want to take into consideration when choosing a paint — beyond just the look. Remember, you don’t have to sacrifice the surface qualities of a paint when choosing one that is perhaps better for the environment. You are able to get the best of both worlds!
1. Eco Friendly Non Toxic Paints
Eco friendly paints aren’t just a trend — in fact, they’ve been around for longer than you might think, and have a real impact on the environment. Several different factors go into making a paint “eco friendly”. These paints typically won’t contain the chemicals or airborne gases that were once taken for granted when buying paints, and do not contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. As VOC levels over 500 ppb can cause issues for people with chemical sensitivities, paints with lower levels or no VOCs at all can make a big different for those living around them. Not only are these paints better for the environment in general — they also fall into the category of air purifying paints. Air purifying paints are great for interior painting, as they tend to increase the air quality in interior buildings, compared to traditional paints. Air purifying paints are usually odorless paints, as an added benefit. You’ll be less likely to experience the headaches associated with painting when dealing with these types of paints. At the same time, there are many eco friendly non toxic options available for exterior painting, giving everyone what they need.
2. Allergy Friendly Paints
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Many are unaware of the fact that paints can trigger allergic reactions. Just breathing in certain paints can be harmful to some. In fact, many hotels are currently on the hunt for allergy friendly paints — because without them, many rooms cannot be considered “allergy free”. A recent study by Cornell University indicated that 83% of travelers would prefer an allergy friendly room if given the option, and 59% said that they would choose one hotel over the other based on the availability of allergy friend rooms, underscoring the needs for this paint option. Allergy friendly paints can also include latex free paints — as many suffer from latex allergies, this should certainly be taken into consideration. You may want to use allergy friendly paint in your home; however, they are perhaps even more important if you’re painting a commercial building, where strangers may be visiting. People’s allergies cannot always be predicted — allergy friendly paint can be considered a “better safe than sorry” option.
3. EMR Shielding Paint
Not all paints are going to be right for a residential project — but they may be taken into consideration by those painting a commercial building, or the exterior of a building. EMR shielding paint would fall into this category. Typically dark in color — like gray or black — it can be painted over by another color, and provides shielding against EMR radiation. If EMR may be a concern due to a building’s location or purpose, this type of paint could strengthen its resistance to radiation, a benefit which should not be taken lightly.
Whether you’re looking for paint that protects against radiation or latex free paint, the chances are high that the option is available for you. Do your research — clearly, the type of paint that you choose has more of an impact than you might imagine./br>
