High quality, environmentally friendly paint finishes
/There’s a growing interest in environmentally friendly paints, but how do you assess a product's sustainability?
Breathable Paint
When we talk about paint breathability, we mean how much air and water vapour can easily flow through its surface. Older properties were built using materials that were designed to promote this airflow.
Using paint with a high level of breathability, coupled with breathable building materials, means that moisture doesn’t become ‘trapped’ beneath the surface of the paint.
Using a non-breathable paint can cause problems with the fabric of the building if left. Trapped moisture can lead to damp walls, causing the paint to bubble, peel and eventually blow completely. It can also contribute to a harmful living environment.
Earthborn Claypaint is highly breathable, but that's easy to say and proof is needed. Paint breathability can be measured in a couple of different ways - by the Steam Diffusion (SD) value and the moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR). Claypaint's breathability has been proven by both measures - check the product data sheet on Earthborn's website.
No Harmful Ingredients
Conventional, acrylic based paints contain two potentially harmful components: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and acrylic softeners. Both escape into the atmosphere during painting and for many years after application, contributing to greenhouse gases.
These toxic ingredients can also find their way into drains and groundwater when washing out brushes and disposing of paint tins in landfill. They can cause chest complaints, aggravate allergies and cause sick building syndrome.
High levels of VOCs generally are associated with oil based paints, but they are found to varying degrees even in water based paints. It is advisable to seek out those containing a maximum of just 0.5g/L VOC.
The easiest way to ensure you’re creating a sustainable, environmentally sound specification is to check the paint is Ecolabel approved. This stringent standard covers every aspect of a product's manufacture, use and disposal.
Earthborn paints have achieved this demanding standard. Earthborn Claypaint has no oils, no acrylics and a negligible VOC content – less than 62 parts per million! Legislative recommendations mean manufacturers should not claim paints to be 100% VOC free so we honestly describe our products as virtually VOC free.
All this technical data simply means they do not give off any toxic emissions, so are much better for the environment as well as the health of building occupants.
No Sacrifices
Ease of use, high covering power and lack of harmful emissions make Claypaint an ideal option for any decorator looking for a sustainable and environmentally friendly paint, but product performance does not have to be sacrificed to safeguard the environment. Available in a beautiful palette of 72 shades this deliciously thick and creamy paint goes on like a dream and often requires fewer coats than conventional emulsions. All this and no horrible smells or emissions.
Earthborn's new colour card showing all 72 colours in the classic range is now available and is itself 100% recyclable, including the adhesive and the paint chips that use real Claypaint.