Has anyone used non-VOC paints?

[Anonymous]

Such as Benjamin Moore Natura or Home Depot's Fresh Aire?

I am hesitating to buy these supposedly healthy products, because among all the satisfied customers there are a few awful reviews on the web about some really bad-smelling batches in both paints. As in people have moved out of their homes or torn out the drywall.

Was wondering if anyone local had had any problem...

[Anonymous]

I've used the Fresh Aire line four times now (living room, bathroom, and two colors for the nursery just this past week). They are not non-VOC, but low-VOC; the odor is noticeably less but not absent. It's possible to be in the room the next day (although in this recent heat it's lingered since it's hard to get good air flow through the space).

I haven't had a problem at all, with smell or quality; the only downside as far as I can tell is the more limited and mellow (e.g. softer and often whiter) color options because of the limits on the types of dyes included.

[Anonymous]

We used natura in several rooms while I was pregnant and liked it. Low fumes, no bad smell. The only problem is it's @&%! expensive.

[Anonymous]

We used the BM Aura (very low VOC) and had a great experience. We used it once for most of the house and a second time for the rest. The main thing you need to know is that you only need a bit more than half the paint you would normally use. So while it's much more expensive, you only buy half plus a little more) of the amount. The first time our contractor did not believe this (he had not used it before) so we bought way too much, but the second time, we used the "half plus a bit more" formula and it worked out just right.

No smell, same color palate, etc - all a smooth experience. If you're in lower MC and are buying your own paint, let me know, as I did a serious price comparison of all local places that carry it and can recommend cheapest place to get it.

[Anonymous]

I had an extensive discussion with the mad genius at the paint store and he told me that darker color paints are the ones that emit VOC's and not to worry about lighter colors. That being said we used BM Aura in DD's room.

[Anonymous]

We just used Sherwin Williams harmony paint for the second time. I really don't remember a smell from the first room, but there was definitely an odor this time around. Not as bad as regular paint though and it dissipated bythe next day.

[Anonymous]

We used Farrow & Ball ($$$, but gorgeous), and had no smell and no issues. The finishes are just beautiful. Thankfully we have small rooms, so didn't need very much at all to cover our walls.

[Anonymous]

The only caution I've heard is from the Benj Moore guy who said the paint dries very fast so it has to be applied with a roller. (Whatever absent ingredient that emits the VOCs in regular paint is also what keeps it wetter and workable for a longer period of time.) We had a beaded board ceiling that I wanted to paint with a brush to avoid the texture you get with a roller, so I had to go with traditional paint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used the BM Aura (very low VOC) and had a great experience. We used it once for most of the house and a second time for the rest. The main thing you need to know is that you only need a bit more than half the paint you would normally use. So while it's much more expensive, you only buy half plus a little more) of the amount. The first time our contractor did not believe this (he had not used it before) so we bought way too much, but the second time, we used the "half plus a bit more" formula and it worked out just right.

No smell, same color palate, etc - all a smooth experience. If you're in lower MC and are buying your own paint, let me know, as I did a serious price comparison of all local places that carry it and can recommend cheapest place to get it.

OP here, thank you for the helpful responses.

PP, I am in lower MC, and would appreciate your tip on the cheapest place to get this paint.

[Anonymous]

I used the Martha Stewart low VOC paint in my bedroom, and it really had virtually no smell. It dried very fast -- in about 30 minutes -- which is actually a plus when you have cats and toddlers.

[Anonymous]

Not the 6:56 poster, but we also used Aura paint and loved it.

I bought ours from both the BM in Rockville and the one by White Flint. The one in Rockville gave me a 10% discount each time, so I'd say that was cheaper. Not sure if they always do that if we just got lucky 2 times.

6:56, if you're still around, I'm also interested to see who you found as the cheapest! We've still got a bunch more rooms to paint.