Most Sustainable Paints, Primers, Varnishes, Stains, and Sealers: Safe, Eco-friendly, LEED Compliant

Following One Community’s commitment to upholding the Highest Good, we aim to provide an open source and freely available blueprint for ecologically-sustainable and holistic development. To do so, One Community aims to provide directly applicable information about the most sustainable options for everyday materials and systems like paints, toilets, shower heads, lighting, HVAC Design, etc. This page is about our most current research on eco-paint, primer, varnish, stain, and sealer options and contains the following sections:

• Related Pages
• Why Assess Paints
• Ways to Contribute and Consultants
• Best and Most Sustainable Eco-friendly Paints We Could Find
  • Do-it-yourself Paint Options
• Best and Most Sustainable Eco-friendly Primers We Could Find
  • Do-it-yourself Primer Options
• Best and Most Sustainable Eco-friendly Varnishes We Could Find
  • Do-it-yourself Varnish Options
• Best and Most Sustainable Eco-friendly Stains We Could Find
  • Do-it-yourself Stain Options
• Best and Most Sustainable Eco-friendly Sealers We Could Find
  • Do-it-yourself Sealer Options
• LEED Materials Points Explained
• Resources
• Summary
• FAQ

 

RELATED PAGES (mouse-over for descriptions and click for complete pages)

 

WHY ASSESS PAINTS, PRIMERS, VARNISHES, STAINS, AND SEALERS

Paints, primers, varnishes, stains, sealers and other construction-related materials and products surround us in everyday life. They have a disturbing capacity for negatively impacting our health and world if not handled responsibly. They are everywhere – in our homes, businesses, schools, and streets. Their presence is often overlooked, even though they can have monumental impacts on our health and Earth. From lead-based paints to high Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) solutions, heavy metals and chemicals present in many commercial paints can deteriorate air quality and have adverse effects on cancer cell growth and respiratory function. In addition, chemical-laden paints have abnormally long life cycles, and can leach into shared water sources. Aware of the often under-appreciated dangers, we have spent over 20 hours researching paints, their chemical compositions, and the relevant LEED and WELL crediting systems in an effort to create and share here a quality sustainable paint resource for both large and small-scale projects.

The following areas/factors were considered when evaluating the eco-paint options currently available:

• Hazardous Material Content (VOCs, Heavy Metals, etc.)
• Price and Availability
• Certifications (LEED Certification, WELL Standard Compliance, etc.)
• Quality and Allure
• User Feedback

As part of our open source goals and model, we’ll additionally share here our experience with the selections we use as we build the Earthbag Village and Duplicable City Center. We’ll also report durability and update the selections here as new information becomes available. What we learn and experience will then be used to make our purchasing decisions for the other 6 villages.

*All prices are accurate as of April 1st, 2019

 

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO EVOLVING THIS SUSTAINABILITY COMPONENT WITH US

SUGGESTIONS | CONSULTING | MEMBERSHIP | OTHER OPTIONS

 

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RESEARCHER FOR THIS COMPONENT:

James Herrigel: Student Researcher

 

THE BEST AND MOST
SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY
PAINTS WE COULD FIND

Paint is arguably the most commonly used surface-application construction product by volume and application. It colors, protects, and textures both in and out of our homes. Unfortunately, it can also contain many ingredients like VOCs, SVOCs, urea formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, and other hazardous chemicals that are bad for our health. This makes it especially desirable to choose products and companies that produce products that are non-toxic and sustainability-conscious. After over 20 hours of research, we’ve created the list below of the safest and most sustainable companies we could find for paint. They are listed in the order we’d recommend them based on safety, sustainability, selection, and price.

NOTE: New technology is always being invented, check the company websites for their newest products. Even as this page becomes dated, the featured products below can be used as a good base-level starting point for your selection process. We wouldn’t recommend any product that doesn’t meet or surpass the quality and performance of the products listed here. This is how we intend to use this page as we build the Duplicable City Center and 7 sustainable village models. If better products are found when we start making our purchases, we’ll open source share here what they are and our personal experience using them. 

 

#1 :: COLORHOUSE

A relatively small company as compared to the others on this list, Colorhouse is nevertheless an incredible option for anyone seeking a truly environmentally sustainable product. With emphasis on sustainability extending not only to the paints themselves, but to the entire packaging and manufacturing process, Colorhouse products guarantee an unparalleled level of ecological consciousness. With emphasis on recycling, limiting hazardous chemicals and metals, compliance with environmental crediting standards, and general efficiency, Colorhouse products are our #1 choice if they are available in your area. Although limited to just paints, they have a beautiful range of colors, surely adequate for the needs of any large or small-scale project.

KEY FEATURES

Colorhouse paints are Green Wise Certified and choose not to include an extensive range of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. Safety Data Sheets for all Colorhouse products are made easily accessible, allowing one to confirm any and all aspects of the products chemical makeup, including verification of Colorhouse’s commitment to low-to-zero VOC emissions. Paints can be purchased online directly from the retailer, or from countless other dealers and online retailers. Colorhouse products additionally stand out in that they go above and beyond the environmental commitments of other paint retailers to include recycling. Containers are made from 100% recycled materials, and they even have a service to collect leftover paints at their warehouse to avoid landfill waste.

PROS FOR THIS PAINT

Colorhouse goes above and beyond in its commitment to ecological sustainability. They do this with an emphasis on recycling and intense restrictions on hazardous ingredients. Their products are Green Wise Certified, LEED Compliant, South Coast Air Quality Management District Super Compliant, and MPI Extreme Green Certified. By purchasing their products one can claim the respective benefits of each of those certifications. Although the product range is small, the paints are high quality and quite beautiful. Considering the added environmental benefits, Colorhouse paints are not overly expensive, with a gallon of paint listed as $45.

CONS FOR THIS PAINT

Colorhouse is a far smaller company than AFM and even smaller still than Behr or Benjamin Moore. As a result, they have a significantly smaller range of products (just paints) and may not be available in all areas. This makes them a possible non-option for some large-scale projects.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#2 :: ECOS PAINTS

Established in 1985, ECOS Paints is a company with a long history of creating ecologically mindful products. Notably, ECOS Paints has an extensive product range with a plethora of colors and versions including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints. ECOS Paints has a remarkable commitment to making holistically and environmentally responsible products, emphasizing material ingredient reporting through the use of Declare, labels, and going “beyond zero VOC.” ECOS Paints are our #2 choice because they’ve demonstrated themselves as a company with commendable commitment to providing products to those with chemical sensitivities, wanting to just eliminate toxins in their home environment, and/or seeking environmentally mindful and high-quality alternatives to traditional options. ECOS paints was also the only company to rank top 1 or 2 in all categories researched, which makes them our hands-down overall winner for sustainability and safety.

KEY FEATURES

ECOS Paints include Declare label certification on all products, thus providing comprehensive material ingredient reporting for every product, making them an excellent choice for securing LEED Credits. In fact, all of their products have an extensive range of data sheets and certifications, including official confirmations of compliance with LEED requirements. As a result, simply using ECOS Paints accrues many points for LEED. Other available certifications/resources include Health Product Declarations, VOC Test Reports, and many others. Additionally, they have an uncompromising commitment to Zero VOC content in all products and go even beyond this to limit a comprehensive range of potentially toxic chemicals. Coupled with a commitment to human health is a commitment to sustainability – all ECOS Paints products are packaged with 100% recycled plastic and biodegradable packaging. ECOS Paints are organic, and free of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides. They also do not use polyurethane, which helps prevent foul odors. Their most popular paint, the external satin paint, charges $32.95/quart, and $71.95/gallon. Products can be purchased directly from the website or from local retailers.

PROS FOR THIS PAINT

ECOS Paints are incredibly ecologically, environmentally, and holistically responsible, with remarkable commitment to sustainability and limiting harmful chemicals. Their products are high quality, and have been endorsed by environmental organizations like the Canadian Green Building Council and the NRDC. They have a wide range of products, including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints, making them reliable for small and large-scale constructions. Certified through Declare and LEED, and with publicly available confirmations of VOC Testing, health product declarations, safety data sheets, and many other resources, ECOS Paints’ products are ideal for securing LEED credits.

CONS FOR THIS PAINT

ECOS Paints can be quite expensive, and are not as freely available or widespread as a more mainstream company like Behr.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#3 :: REAL MILK PAINT

If you’re interested in a more natural and DIY-esque option, but not interested in experimenting with making paints from scratch, Real Milk Paint Co. is an excellent option. A company based around creating biodegradable and quality paints, Real Milk Paint Co. provides natural, milk-based paints in powdered form, which one mixes with water to produce a full, high quality, beautiful paint. All of these reasons combine to make Real Milk Paint Co. our #3 recommended eco-paint product.

KEY FEATURES

As an all-natural product, Real Milk Paints are completely biodegradable and very environmentally responsible. The lack of toxic ingredients makes the paints virtually odorless, and an excellent choice for any seeking eco-friendly options, or anyone with a chemical sensitivity. Real Milk Paints are sold in powder form, and one must add water before use. This powder is sold so that when you add water, you have the amount you pay for. For example, if you buy a quart of Real Milk Paint, it will come with 2 cups of powder, which you mix with water to form a full quart. Real Milk paint is priced at $59.99 per gallon once mixed. Compared to other products, AFM Safecoat is around $59.90 per gallon, and Behr is around $30 per gallon.

PROS FOR THIS PAINT

Milk paint use dates back centuries and has been proven to be a durable and lasting method. Real Milk Paint’s products build on this and are all-natural, high-quality, and eco-friendly. They have an extensive range of colors, and are applicable in a broad enough range to be ideal for a wide range of projects. The powdered form alleviates the necessity of using chemicals which maintain liquidity in traditional paints. The process of adding water to the powder to create paint is easy and painless, and the Real Milk Paint Co. website provides comprehensive tutorials.

CONS FOR THIS PAINT

Converting the powdered paint into usable liquid paint through adding water requires extra time and energy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#4 :: AMERICAN FORMULATING AND MANUFACTURING (AFM) SAFECOAT

American Formulating and Manufacturing (AFM) is a Company with over 30 years of history developing environmentally conscious products. Their sustainability focus is protecting human health and restricting harmful chemicals. With this in mind, AFM Safecoat provides a broad array of products including primers and paints, stains and sealers, cleaners and carpet care, and clear finishes. Their commitment to sustainability coupled with their broad availability and diverse product selection makes them our #4 choice.

KEY FEATURES

AFM has an extensive range of products with a great selection of colors. The company is dedicated to sustainability and has won several environmental awards. These awards have included the Earth Award from the city of San Diego, the AMA’s Edison Award for Best Environmental Products, and the Scientific Certification Systems’ (SCS) Indoor Advantage➢ Gold certification for its AFM Safecoat primers, paints, and a range of other products. All of these certifications serve to demonstrate AFM’s exceptional performance in maintaining high air quality and restricting hazardous ingredients. Additionally, through AFM’s SCS Certification, it is certified compliant with LEED EQ 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, and BIFMA 7.1, meaning that using their products contributes to LEED points and certification.

PROS FOR THIS PAINT

With its extensive history and commendations, AFM Safecoat products are reliable, trustworthy, and environmentally conscious alternatives to mainstream brands. Through using AFM products, one can have an assurance that they are protecting their health, and acting in a sustainable way. Moreover, AFM products incur additional benefits in that they have prearranged compliance with countless environmental crediting services like the US Green Building Council’s LEED Certification system. This makes their products ideal for any large or small-scale project seeking healthy paint options and valuable LEED certifications.

CONS FOR THIS PAINT

AFM Safecoat products cannot be bought online directly from the supplier. This requires one to find the nearest dealer and/or use online retailers to purchase them. In addition, AFM Safecoat products cost more than conventional brands like Benjamin Moore. The price though will range depending on the product. For example, as of this writing and for our location, a normal 1-gallon can of AFM Safecoat Flat Paint costs $76.15 on Amazon, compared to $59.98 for a Benjamin Moore flat paint.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#4 :: BEHR

Behr, Home Depot’s paint partner, is a massive and widely available paint and interior finish supplier with remarkable commitment to restricting harmful chemical and heavy metal content in their products. As a much more mainstream supplier than niche companies like AFM or Colorhouse, Behr paints are available at Home Depot’s and other retailers worldwide, and are thus readily available and affordable. With over 4,000 available colors and a comprehensive array of products, Behr is a reliable and trustworthy brand for large and small-scale projects.

KEY FEATURES

Behr paints have a low0-to-zero VOC guarantee, and fully available Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every product, which include comprehensive chemical inventories for all product ingredients. The company also has a history of leading the paint market in ecological responsibility. They have never used lead pigmentation in any product in the history of company, and participated in setting national standards for lead warnings with the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA). Behr has an incredible range of products, including interior/exterior paints and primers, wood stains, finishes, strippers, and cleaners, floor coatings and sealers, and even specialty paints, with extensive color options for each product.

PROS FOR THIS PAINT

Behr is a mainstream, long standing company, with a history of trustworthy and responsible business practices. Unlike Benjamin Moore, Behr has had no issues concerning mislabeling. Available worldwide at thousands of retailers, including Home Depot, one of America’s leading providers of home goods, Behr is a reliable and easy choice for large and small scale projects. Because of their product range, one can essentially rely on Behr for all of their needs. Although Behr does not pursue sustainability certification to the extent that AFM or Colorhouse do, they still meet relevant emission and chemical requirements.

CONS FOR THIS PAINT

Although Behr meets hazardous chemical and metal requirements, it does not extend sustainability standards to containers, life cycle of paints, etc., and generally has less emphasis on environmental issues than eco-focused companies like AFM and Colorhouse. It is therefor more difficult to guarantee compliance with LEED or other certification systems using Behr paints than the others listed above.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF NATURAL PAINT OPTIONS

Here are the most popular do-it-yourself paint options available also. These are listed in alphabetical order.

DO-IT-YOURSELF CASEIN-BASED PAINT

Casein is the main protein in milk and is commonly used in many adhesives, paints, and other industrial products. It has been used since ancient Egyptian times, dries to an even consistency, can visually resemble oil painting more than most other water-based paints, and works well as an underpainting too. Casein paint loses its solubility with time and exposure and becomes water-resistant. It is suited most to inflexible surfaces like walls and furniture and can be buffed to a soft velvet finish when dry, or varnished for a gloss finish. Entirely natural, casein paint is an excellent option that can create a full, lasting, durable (when mixed with lime) paint, completely free of toxic chemicals and entirely sustainable.

Here is a casein paint recipe from this article at Mother Earth News. It produces about 1 quart.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 gallon nonfat milk
• 2 1/2 ounces “Type S” lime (dry powder available at hardware stores)
• 2 1/2 cups water
• Natural earth pigment (more or less depending on desired color)
• 6 cups filler (usually whiting)

DIRECTIONS

1. Leave milk in a warm place for a few days to curdle. Then pour through a colander lined with cheesecloth. You should have about 2 cups of curds. The whey can be composted.
2. Mix curds and lime powder in a blender. Add a little water if the mixture isn’t blending well. Strain to remove any lumps.
3. Add water to the binder immediately after it is prepared.
4. Dampen and crush pigments. Add them to the mixture a little at a time until desired color intensity is achieved.
5. Stir in filler.

PROS FOR THIS DIY PAINT

Entirely natural and, when mixed correctly, can last indefinitely without the hazards of fungus growth, peeling, or cracking. Excess paints can be safely composted, and the freedom of DIY allows one to create the exact color your looking for.

CONS FOR THIS DIY PAINT

Mixing the paint is difficult, and requires careful precision. If not mixed correctly, the paint will dust off, peel, or crack. From Mother Earth News: “It is also important to apply thin coats and allow each coat to dry completely, because the paint will become more and more opaque as it dries. Also, in order to become an adhesive binder, casein must be combined with an alkali such as lime. You can use borax instead, but lime-casein paint is much more water resistant.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Casein Paint on Wikipedia

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF FLOUR-BASED PAINT

Flour-based paint is also known as “wheat paint” and “ochre paint.” It is an age-old recipe originated in Sweden and is sometimes called “Swedish paint” too. From this article, “They are made from pigments (for the color), binders (to bind all the ingredients together), solvents or thinners (to dilute and make the paint easier to apply), and additives (to add specific properties to the paint, such as quicker drying, or protection against mold, etc.).”

Here is a flour-based paint recipe from this article at Mother Earth News. It produces about 1.5 quarts.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup flour
• 5 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 cup screened clay filler (clay can be purchased in a wide variety of colors)
• 1/2 cup additional powder filler, such as mica

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix flour with 2 cups cold water, whisking to remove lumps.
2. Bring 11/2 cups water to boil, then add the flour water from Step 1.
3. Turn heat to low, stirring until thick paste develops. Remove from heat.
4. Dilute the paste with 2 cups water, a little at a time.
5. In a separate work bowl, combine clay with powder filler.
6. Add filler mixture to diluted flour paste until desired consistency is achieved.

PROS FOR THIS DIY PAINT

Flour paints allow more room for error while still remaining successful. The proportions do not have to be as perfectly exact as other DIY paint methods. The completed paint can be applied to a wide range of surfaces and is a versatile paint with nice, full color.

CONS FOR THIS DIY PAINT

Flour paints are too thick for rollers, and are hard on brushes, making them difficult to apply, and expensive (as they burn through brushes). Painting them on large surfaces can be tedious, and leaves pronounced brush marks, necessitating a supplementary step of going over the paint with a wet sponge, to achieve a smoother coat. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Recommended Flour Paint Article

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF OIL-BASED PAINT

Oil paint is another common DIY paint option. It is a slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. This means the paint is entirely natural and does not contain any solvents or artificial binders. Oil-based paints are a long standing option for holistic, self-sufficient paints that allow for great painting creativity and produce a nice coat ideal for exterior surfaces.

Here is an oil-based paint recipe from this article at Mother Earth News.

INGREDIENTS

Natural oil paints typically are made with linseed oil and a natural solvent, such as pure turpentine or citrus thinner. Choose raw linseed oil or linseed stand oil, which has been heated to a high temperature, making it more durable. Avoid boiled linseed oil, which can contain a variety of ingredients that speed drying time, but may be hazardous to your health.

DIRECTIONS

1. Make an oil based primer like this: “Combine equal parts linseed oil and natural solvent. Then apply a thin coat, in the direction of the grain, and wipe off any excess. When the first coat is dry (about 48 hours), apply a second coat.”
2. Next apply your basic oil paint: “Your surface will be ready for paint about 48 hours after the primer has dried. It is difficult to provide precise recipes for oil paints, because pigments absorb oil to varying degrees. Pour several tablespoons of linseed oil in a bowl and add pigment, a little at a time, until a doughy paste forms. Then you can add more oil just until the mixture flows. Next, add solvent until the paint reaches your desired consistency. Pour the finished mixture through a strainer to remove lumps.”

PROS FOR THIS DIY PAINT

Oil paint takes a long time to dry, and may never completely harden, which allows it to remain more elastic and change along with the natural expansion/compression of materials over the seasons and years. This helps make it longer lasting and saves money in the future. Creating your own paint is rewarding and ensures a complete knowledge of the paints ingredients, thus protecting one’s ecological integrity and health.

CONS FOR THIS DIY PAINT

Creating oil paints is difficult and essentially a free-form process, with no specific set recipe. This makes the methodology difficult to recreate on a mass scale, and prone to miscalculation and mistakes. The long drying period of the paint can be frustrating and stifle projects in situations where more traditional styles of paint would achieve the goal quite quickly.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Instructables: “How to Make Oil Paint” | Oil Paint on Wikipedia

 

THE BEST AND MOST
SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY
PRIMERS WE COULD FIND

Primers can be helpful to ensure a lasting paint coat. Primer can save a great degree of money if used properly because they require less paint layers. Similar to paints though, primers can contain dangerous and toxic chemicals in their makeup, which can have lasting health impacts. We recommend buying primers along with your paints from trusted manufacturers like ECOS Paints and AFM Safecoat. Along with our research into paints, we have selected the following primers as excellent, sustainable, and holistically responsible options.

 

#1 :: AFM SAFECOAT PRIMER

Again making our selected product list is AFM Safecoat with their primer options. American Formulating and Manufacturing (AFM) is a Company with over 30 years of history developing environmentally conscious products, with a focus on protecting human health and restricting harmful chemicals. AFM Safecoat has a broad array of products, including primers and paints, stains and sealers, cleaners and carpet care, and clear finishes. Their primers, like their other products, combine excellent quality with a healthier chemical composition.

KEY FEATURES

AFM Safecoat primers are water based and free of the toxic and harsh-smelling chemicals found in typical primers. With 4 different types of primers, AFM can be reliable for almost any project. Primecoat HPV is their standard primer product but they also offer sandable primers, metal primers, and transitional primers that are ideal for transitioning from existing oil-based painted surfaces to water-based coatings and also useful as a stain blocker for knot holes, water-soluble stains and oils, and tannins and terpenes in wood.

PROS FOR THIS PRIMER

With its extensive history and commendations, AFM Safecoat products are reliable and trustworthy alternatives to mainstream brands that guarantee environmentally conscious products. Through using AFM products, one can have an assurance that they are protecting their health, and acting in a sustainable way. Moreover, AFM products incur additional benefits in that they have prearranged compliance with countless environmental crediting services, like the US Green Building Council’s LEED Certification system, making their products ideal for any large or small scale projects seeking valuable LEED Certifications.

CONS FOR THIS PRIMER

AFM Safecoat products cannot be bought online directly from the supplier, and require one to find the nearest dealer in order to purchase, or use online retailers. In addition, AFM Safecoat products cost more than conventional brands like Benjamin Moore, although the price ranges depending on the product. One gallon of AFM Safecoat Primecoat HPV is listed at $46.90.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#2 :: ECOS PAINTS PRIMER

Another One Community favorite, ECOS Paints again makes our list with their primers. Established in 1985, ECOS Paints is a company with a long history of creating ecologically mindful products. Notably, ECOS Paints has an extensive product range with a plethora of colors and versions, including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints. ECOS Paints has a remarkable commitment to making holistically and environmentally responsible products, emphasizing material ingredient reporting through the use of Declare labels and going “beyond zero VOC.” ECOS Paints is a company with commendable commitment to providing products to those with chemical sensitivities, as well as those seeking environmentally mindful and high quality alternatives to traditional options. ECOS Paints has 5 different types of primers, making them a reliable choice for almost any project. Primers include their most popular, the universal primer, as well as an air purifying primer, a wall primer, wood primer, and a stain blocking primer. ECOS paints was also the only company to rank top 1 or 2 in all categories researched, which makes them our hands-down overall winner for sustainability and safety.

KEY FEATURES

ECOS Paints include Declare label certification on all products, thus providing comprehensive material ingredient reporting for every product. This makes them an excellent choice for securing LEED Credits. All of their products have an extensive range of data sheets and certifications, including official confirmations of compliance with LEED requirements. As a result, simply using ECOS Paints accrues many points for LEED. Other available certifications/resources include Health Product Declarations, VOC Test Reports, and many others. Additionally, they have an uncompromising commitment to Zero VOC content in all products, and go beyond this to limit a comprehensive range of potentially toxic chemicals. Coupled with their commitment to human health is a commitment to sustainability – all ECOS Paints products are packaged with 100% recycled plastic and biodegradable packaging. ECOS Paints are organic, and free of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides.

ECOS Paints most popular primer, the universal primer, is a water-based, solvent-free, stain-blocking primer, highly effective for almost any use, especially concealing and blocking out difficult stains. It is Zero-VOC, and does not have odor due to its lack of polyurethane – an inflammatory chemical found in mainstream primers.

PROS FOR THIS PRIMER

ECOS Paints‘ primers are incredibly ecologically, environmentally, and holistically responsible, with remarkable commitment to sustainability and limiting harmful chemicals. Their products are high quality and have been consigned by environmental organizations like the Canadian Green Building Council and the NRDC. Certified through Declare and LEED, and with publicly available confirmations of VOC Testing, health product declarations, safety data sheets, and many other resources, ECOS Paints products are ideal for securing LEED credits. ECOS Paints primers are high-quality and sure to rival the quality of mainstream primers, with the added benefit of holistic and ecological responsibility.

CONS FOR THIS PRIMER

ECOS Paints can be quite expensive, and are not as freely available or widespread as a more mainstream company like Behr.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF NATURAL PRIMER OPTIONS

Here are the most popular do-it-yourself primer options we could find. They are listed in alphabetical order.

DO-IT-YOURSELF CASEIN-BASED PRIMER

Casein is the main protein in milk and is commonly used in many adhesives, paints, and other industrial products. It has been used since ancient Egyptian times, dries to an even consistency, can be used as paint and primer and visually resembles oil painting more than most other water-based paints, when used as paint. Casein Primer has a firming effect and lowers absorbency. It is suited most to inflexible surfaces like walls and furniture. Entirely natural, casein paint is an excellent option that can create a full, lasting, durable primer, completely free of toxic chemicals and entirely sustainable.

Here is a casein paint/primer recipe from this article at Mother Earth News. It produces about 1 quart.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 gallon nonfat milk
• 2 1/2 ounces “Type S” lime (dry powder available at hardware stores)
• 2 1/2 cups water
• Eliminate this for primer: Natural earth pigment
• 6 cups filler (usually whiting)

DIRECTIONS

1. Leave milk in a warm place for a few days to curdle. Then pour through a colander lined with cheesecloth. You should have about 2 cups of curds. The whey can be composted.
2. Mix curds and lime powder in a blender. Add a little water if the mixture isn’t blending well. Strain to remove any lumps.
3. Add water to the binder immediately after it is prepared.
4. Stir in filler.

PROS FOR THIS DIY PRIMER

Entirely natural and, when mixed correctly, can last indefinitely without the hazards of fungus growth, peeling, or cracking. Excess primer can be safely composted, and the freedom of DIY allows one to create the exact color your looking for.

CONS FOR THIS DIY PRIMER

Mixing the primer is difficult, and requires careful precision but not as much as when mixing as paint. If not mixed correctly, the primer will dust off, peel, or crack. From Mother Earth News: “It is also important to apply thin coats and allow each coat to dry completely, because the paint will become more and more opaque as it dries. Also, in order to become an adhesive binder, casein must be combined with an alkali such as lime. You can use borax instead, but lime-casein paint is much more water resistant.” We assume the same applies to primer.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Casein Paint/Primer on Wikipedia

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF CHALK-BASED PRIMER

Chalk-based primer (also called chalk-based paint) is another DIY option for you to take complete control of the ingredients going into the materials surrounding you. The recipe below by MyRepurposedLife.com creates a quality primer from nothing more than latex paint, Plaster of Paris, and water. Simply mixing them together in the correct amounts results in an easy, quality primer, perfect for home improvement projects.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup latex paint
• 2 TBS Plaster of Paris
• 4 tsp water

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix plaster and water till it’s smooth with no lumps.
2. Pour your mixture into approximately 1 cup of latex paint. If you get your paste too thin, add a little more plaster. Too thick, add a little water.
3. Sand your painted piece after the DIY chalky paint dries”before you add your top coat (just as you would with premium chalk paint).

PROS FOR THIS DIY PRIMER

This DIY primer is incredibly cheap, easy, and quick, and results in a high-quality finished product where you have complete control over what is in it. It can be modified to suit the needs of the user more easily than many conventional products and MyRepurposedLife.com said it stores pretty well too: “I have been known to save leftovers for up to two weeks in a container with a lid. You may need to add a little water after storing this chalky paint.”

CONS FOR THIS DIY PRIMER

DIY paint/primer recipes can be dirty and tedious, and it can be hard to perfect the mixture. Buying premixed products makes the process quicker and easier, and ensures a high quality outcome.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MyRepurposedLife.com Source Article on Chalk-based Paint/Primer

 

THE BEST AND MOST
SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY
VARNISHES WE COULD FIND

Varnish is a clear-coat protective finish or film that hardens as it dries. Unlike paint or wood stains, it contains no added pigments. Some varnish products though are marketed as a “combined stain and varnish.” It is primarily used as a wood finish to help bring out the natural tones and grains of the wood. Varnishes are usually glossy but can also be designed to provide satin or semi-gloss sheens through the addition of “flatting” agents. Below are the most sustainable options we could find. We’ve listed them in the order we’d recommend them.

 

#1 :: ECOS PAINTS VARNISH

Again as part of one of our recommended lists, and this time at the top, is ECOS Paints with their environmentally conscious varnish. Established in 1985, ECOS Paints is a company with a long history of creating ecologically mindful products. Notably, ECOS Paints has an extensive product range with a plethora of colors and products including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, and sealers. They have a remarkable commitment to making these holistically and environmentally responsible, emphasizing material ingredient reporting through the use of Declare, clear labels, and going “beyond zero VOC.” This produces products great for those with chemical sensitivities, as well as those seeking environmentally mindful yet high quality alternatives to traditional options. ECOS paints was also the only company to rank top 1 or 2 in all categories researched, which makes them our hands-down overall winner for sustainability and safety.

KEY FEATURES

ECOS Paints has 7 different types of varnishes, ranging from Satin Clear to Semi-Gloss tinted, with everything in between. Their varnishes are of the highest quality and an excellent option for any large or small scale project. ECOS Paints products incur added benefits over other manufacturers as they are certified by Declare and meet very stringent ecological guidelines, making their products an excellent choice for anyone pursuing LEED credits.

PROS FOR THIS VARNISH

ECOS Paints varnishes come in a range sure to satisfy any potential needs, with high quality assurance, little to no odor, and without toxic chemicals, all while accruing LEED points and other environmental certifications.

CONS FOR THIS VARNISH

ECOS Paints products tend to be slightly more expensive and can be difficult to find from major retailers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#2 :: REAL MILK PAINT FINISH

Although they do not sell traditional varnishes, Real Milk Paint Co. has a range of finishes. These clear coats go over painted or stained surfaces to protect the coating and therefore serve a similar function to a varnish. Real Milk Paint Co. is a trusted and proven company with a remarkable commitment to sustainability combined with an innovative and creative practice – creating entirely natural, milk based paints.

KEY FEATURES

Again, Real Milk Paint Co. does not manufacture traditional varnishes, but instead have finishes, colorless products intended to go over painted or stained surfaces in order to protect and preserve the coating underneath. Their two main finish product lines are their finishing creams and glazes. The finishing cream differs in that it will dry completely clear, whereas the glaze will produce a slight tint. 32 oz of Real Milk Paint Finishing Cream costs $49.99, and can cover 100 to 140 square feet.

PROS FOR THIS FINISH

Because this product is not a traditional varnish, it has a bigger range of potential uses – the finishing cream can be used for coating painted surfaces as well as wood stained areas. They are an excellent option to extend the life of a painted or stained surface, and to maintain the color.

CONS FOR THIS FINISH

Again, it is not a traditional varnish, so it may not produce the exact effect expected of a varnish.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF NATURAL VARNISH OPTIONS

Here are the most popular do-it-yourself varnish options. They are listed in alphabetical order.

DO-IT-YOURSELF BEESWAX VARNISH

If you’re interested in a DIY alternative to commercial varnishes, beeswax-based varnishes are an excellent option. Relatively easy to produce and cheaper than buying commercial products, making DIY varnish can be a wonderful way to seal wooden components of your project. This recipe by Natural Earth Paint has only two ingredientsL: olive oil and all natural beeswax. It produces an excellent and easy-to-use product.

Here is the recipe from Natural Earth Paint:

INGREDIENTS

• 4 oz olive oil
• 1 oz pure beeswax

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill a measuring cup with 4 oz olive oil
2. Add 1 oz pure beeswax, broken into small pieces (or use beeswax pellets)
3. Heat until beeswax is completely melted
4. Pour into a glass container that can be covered to save excess polish (be careful because the mixture is very hot)
5. Allow to cool until mixture forms a solid, much like the consistency of lip balm
6. Use hands to polish the wood’s surface
7. Let polish sit on wood a few hours or overnight, then wipe off excess with a clean soft cloth

PROS FOR THIS DIY VARNISH

By choosing the DIY route, one has complete control over the ingredients going into their products, and thus complete control over the chemical content of the things in one’s home or project.

CONS FOR THIS DIY VARNISH

Creating DIY varnishes takes work and attention to detail with the recipe so that you get the high-quality product that is possible. Buying commercial products ensures large quantities of high quality product, without the extra work of perfecting a DIY recipe.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Source Article | DIY Beeswax Wood Polish & Sealant Article

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF OIL-BASED VARNISH

Another DIY varnish option is this Oil-Based Recipe by Paoson Woodwork, which uses Tung, Linseen, and various other oils, as well as Carnauba Wax, to produce a nice even varnish. It can be used to create a more liquidy variation and a solid finish variation. This is another all natural alternative to commercial products which one can make relatively easily and inexpensively from the comfort of their own home.

Here is the recipe and instruction video:

PROS FOR THIS DIY VARNISH

Again, by choosing DIY, you have complete control of the ingredients going into the products surrounding you, your loved ones, and your home. Creating your own products can be fun, fulfilling, and cheap, so long as one persists with it.

CONS FOR THIS DIY VARNISH

Like all DIY methods, it is less reliable and more tedious than simply purchasing pre made products.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Source Article | Article: All About Oil Based Varnish

 

THE BEST AND MOST
SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY
STAINS WE COULD FIND

Like paints, woods stains are an integral part of modern life that surround us on a daily basis, adding beauty and depth to the wood composing our homes, schools, and businesses. Just like paints, traditional wood stains are prone to using dangerous and potentially toxic chemicals as ingredients. These chemicals, such as Volatile Organic Compounds, can have intensely negative health effects if one is overexposed, especially to those with chemical sensitivities. Good green alternatives provide a healthier, more environmentally friendly option, while still retaining a high degree of quality. However, navigating the market can be daunting, misleading, and difficult. It is our mission to help ease that process, and do the necessary research that the average person may not have time for. Products are listed in the order we’d recommend them.

 

#1 :: ECOS PAINTS STAIN

Established in 1985, ECOS Paints is a company with a long history of creating ecologically mindful products. Notably, ECOS Paints has an extensive product range with a plethora of colors and versions including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints. ECOS Paints has a remarkable commitment to making holistically and environmentally responsible products, emphasizing material ingredient reporting through the use of Declare, labels, and going “beyond zero VOC.” ECOS Paints is a company with commendable commitment to providing products to those with chemical sensitivities, as well as those seeking environmentally mindful and high-quality alternatives to traditional options. ECOS paints was also the only company to rank top 1 or 2 in all categories researched, which makes them our hands-down overall winner for sustainability and safety.

KEY FEATURES

ECOS Paints include Declare label certification on all products, thus providing comprehensive material ingredient reporting for every product. This makes them an excellent and easy choice for securing LEED Credits. In fact, all of their products have an extensive range of data sheets and certifications, including official confirmations of compliance with LEED requirements. As a result, simply using ECOS Paints accrues many points for LEED. Other available certifications/resources include Health Product Declarations, VOC Test Reports, and many others. Additionally, they have an uncompromising commitment to Zero VOC content in all products and go even beyond this to limit a comprehensive range of potentially toxic chemicals. Coupled with a commitment to human health is a commitment to sustainability, all ECOS Paints products are packaged with 100% recycled plastic and biodegradable packaging. ECOS Paints are organic, and free of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides. They also do not use polyurethane, which helps prevent foul odors. The most popular wood stain, the interior satin varnish, costs $38.25/quart, and $87.95/gallon.

PROS FOR THIS STAIN

ECOS Paints are incredibly ecologically, environmentally, and holistically responsible, with remarkable commitment to sustainability and limiting harmful chemicals. Their products are high quality, and have been endorsed by environmental organizations like the Canadian Green Building Council and the NRDC. They have a wide range of products, including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints, making them reliable for small and large-scale constructions. Certified through Declare and LEED, and with publicly available confirmations of VOC Testing, health product declarations, safety data sheets, and many other resources, ECOS Paints’ products are ideal for securing LEED credits. The wood stains include a beautiful range of shades, are high quality, and easy to use.

CONS FOR THIS STAIN

ECOS Paints can be quite expensive, and are not as freely available or widespread as a more mainstream company like Behr.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#2 :: VERMONT NATURAL COATINGS STAIN

 A homegrown family company located in Hardwick, Vermont, Vermont Natural Coatings has emerged as an excellent supplier of natural, organic alternatives to conventional coatings and stains. Made through an innovative method, many of Vermont Natural Coatings’ products, including their wood stains, utilize a whey protein based blend in place of traditional, potentially toxic ingredients.

KEY FEATURES

Vermont Natural Coatings is notable for its PolyWhey technology. Developed through collaboration with scientists at the University of Vermont, the company, and local wood makers, PolyWhey emerged as a method of using whey proteins (a byproduct of cheese making) to replace toxic ingredients. This has resulted in a range of ecologically friendly coatings offered by Vermont Natural Coatings.

PROS FOR THIS STAIN

Vermont Natural Coatings is a responsible and home grown American company, with an innovative methodology, and a genuine commitment to creating quality, eco-friendly products. The PolyWhey technology adds an excellent organic dimension to the products, and provides top of the line performance with far more natural ingredients.

CONS FOR THIS STAIN

Due to its homegrown, family owned nature, Vermont Natural Coatings is quite a small company, with relatively limited variety of products or colors. Additionally, the company does not provide the same degree of immediately useable certifications like the way that ECOS Paints does. There are no LEED Certifications, or any other form of third-party performance verification.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#3 :: AFM SAFECOAT STAIN

American Formulating and Manufacturing (AFM) is a Company with over 30 years of history developing environmentally conscious products, with a focus on protecting human health and restricting harmful chemicals. AFM Safecoat has a broad array of products, including primers and paints, stains and sealers, cleaners and carpet care, and clear finishes.

KEY FEATURES

The AFM Safecoat DuroStain line is an outstanding example of quality and ecological responsibility. It has a range of 7 colorways, and is free of many toxic chemicals found in normal stains. It does not contain aniline dyestuffs, gilsonite, asphalt, aromatic solvents, or formaldehyde. The company is dedicated to sustainability, and has won several environmental awards, such as a Special Commendation for Environmental Achievement, the Earth Award from the city of San Diego, the AMA’s Edison Award for Best Environmental Products, and the Scientific Certification Systems’ (SCS) Indoor Advantage➢ Gold certification for its AFM Safecoat primers, paints, and several other products. All of these certifications serve to demonstrate AFM’s exceptional performance in maintaining high air quality, and restricting hazardous ingredients. Additionally, through AFM’s SCS Certification, it is certified compliant with LEED EQ 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, and BIFMA 7.1, meaning that through using their products one can more easily secure LEED points.

PROS FOR THIS STAIN

With its extensive history and commendations, AFM Safecoat products are reliable and trustworthy alternatives to mainstream brands that guarantee environmentally conscious products. Through using AFM products, one can have an assurance that they are protecting their health, and acting in a sustainable way. Moreover, AFM products incur additional benefits in that they have prearranged compliance with countless environmental crediting services, like the US Green Building Council’s LEED Certification system, making their products ideal for any large or small scale projects seeking valuable LEED Certifications.

CONS FOR THIS STAIN

AFM Safecoat products cannot be bought online directly from the supplier and require one to find the nearest dealer in order to purchase or use other online retailers. In addition, AFM Safecoat products cost more than conventional brands like Benjamin Moore, although the price ranges depending on the product.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#4 :: PENOFIN STAIN

Penofin is a company with over 30 years of dedication to high quality, eco-friendly products. The Penofin Verde Wood Stain line is an excellent choice for a more natural, holistically source alternative to traditional products. With emphasis on restricting toxic chemicals and responsible sourcing of raw materials, Penofin provides a high quality product that is easier on both human health and the environment.

KEY FEATURES

Penofin Verde wood stains are made through a trademarked and rather unconventional method. Sourced from the Brazilian Rosewood Tree, Penofin products utilize Brazilian Rosewood Oil as their central ingredient. With emphasis on sustainable harvesting, Penofin alleviates the negative long-term effects traditionally felt by indigenous peoples whose industry relies on exporting raw materials. Penofin understands the necessity to provide sustainable job sources to these areas, and their use of the Brazilian rosewood tree reflects just that. Their commitment to sustainability does not end at the sourcing of raw materials however, they also put incredible care in to limiting waste from their manufacturing process and have eliminated wastewater discharge entirely.

PROS FOR THIS STAIN

The Penofin Verde line wood stain is a reliable, high quality, and sustainable product. The company’s emphasis on responsible sourcing of raw materials, as well as their commitment to limiting waste during the manufacturing process, both indicate an excellent choice for where to buy wood stains.

CONS FOR THIS STAIN

Penofin, unlike ECOS Paints or AFM, does not have proof of certification to LEED or any other certification resource, making it less effective to secure LEED points.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF NATURAL STAIN OPTIONS

Not satisfied by our selections, or hoping to go even further with sustainability? For more information on DIY Wood Stains, including an overview of the science behind wood stains, 4 excellent recipes, and a comprehensive pros and cons analysis of store bought vs DIY stains, refer to this excellent writeup by A Piece of Rainbow.

STEEL WOOL AND VINEGAR RECIPE

This write-up by A Piece of Rainbow includes four natural wood stain write-ups. These cover white, balsamic, and apple cider vinegar variations, with thorough explanations of the color differences. It also includes application tutorials, a comprehensive explanation of the science behind wood stains, and an overview of the benefits of natural versus conventional methods. They go into such excellent detail on their site that we’d rather you go there than try and reproduce their information here in a lesser form.

PROS FOR THIS DIY STAIN

DIY Wood Stains are an excellent, fulfilling to use, quality, and affordable alternative to store-bought products. Although it can be difficult to master the mixing to create the stains, a bit of persistence goes a long way. DIY options are excellent for anyone who wishes to have complete control over the ingredients that go in to their living areas.

CONS FOR THIS DIY STAIN

Mastering the mixing and application could pose some difficulty, and may be less reliable than store-bought options regarding color, durability, and quality.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Piece of Rainbow’s Excellent Write-up

 

This video also explores coffee, tea, red wine, beets, and turmeric as effective wood stain options. The video creator is also very entertaining in his presentation, enjoy!

 

THE BEST AND MOST
SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY
SEALERS WE COULD FIND

Sealers are products used to coat and protect wood. They work by blocking the pores of wood and stopping penetration by moisture and/or chemicals. We list here the most sustainable and eco-conscious sealers we could find. They are in the order we’d recommend them based on the sustainability merits of both the product and the company.

 

#1 :: AFM SAFECOAT SEALER

Again making our selected product list is AFM Safecoat. American Formulating and Manufacturing (AFM) is a Company with over 30 years of history developing environmentally conscious products. Their focus is protecting human health and restricting harmful chemicals. AFM Safecoat has a broad array of products, including primers and paints, stains and sealers, cleaners and carpet care, and clear finishes. Their sealers, like their other products, combine excellent quality with a healthier chemical composition.

KEY FEATURES

AFM Safecoat sealers are almost all water-based and use natural mineral pigments instead of dyes. Additionally, no formaldehyde or other toxic ingredients are used. The sealers are high quality and produce a durable finished product, without the negatives of toxic solvents, fumes, or odors. AFM Safecoat has eight variations of sealers, including DynoSeal (for roofs), Penetrating Water Stop, Water Shield, Hard Seal, Safe Seal, Grout Sealer, Semi-Gloss MexeSeal, and MexeSeal Satin. The MexeSeal line is intended for use on stone, concrete, and porous tile.

PROS FOR THIS SEALER

AFM products are high quality and can compete with anyone in terms of sustainability. Their products are entirely devoid of toxic chemicals without sacrificing quality. Additionally, AFM Safecoat boasts a wide range of products, and can serve as a one-stop shop for coating products for projects large and small.

CONS FOR THIS SEALER

AFM Safecoat products cannot be bought online directly from the supplier and require one to find the nearest dealer in order to purchase, or use other online retailers. In addition, AFM Safecoat products cost more than conventional brands like Benjamin Moore, although the price ranges depending on the product.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

#2 :: ECOS PAINTS SEALER

Again making our list are the outstanding products from ECOS Paints. Established in 1985, ECOS Paints is a company with a long history of creating ecologically mindful products. Notably, ECOS Paints has an extensive product range with a plethora of colors and versions, including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints. ECOS Paints has a remarkable commitment to making holistically and environmentally responsible products, emphasizing material ingredient reporting through the use of Declare, labels, and going “beyond zero VOC.” ECOS Paints is a company with commendable commitment to providing products to those with chemical sensitivities, as well as those seeking environmentally mindful yet high quality alternatives to traditional options. ECOS paints was also the only company to rank top 1 or 2 in all categories researched, which makes them our hands-down overall winner for sustainability and safety.

KEY FEATURES

ECOS Paints has a range of glues and sealers, including a Filler, Stormseal, Filler Sealer, Stone & Tile Sealer, Plaster Sealer, and Wood Glue. With its excellent range of products, ECOS Paints is a reliable and sustainable option to source products for any scale of project, from construction operations to weekend home improvement campaigns. ECOS Paint Stone & Tile Sealer, their most popular model, costs $57.95 per gallon, and covers approximately 300 sq. ft per gallon, with two coats per surface being recommended. As with all ECOS Paint product, purchasing a glue or sealer comes with a Zero-VOC Guarantee, as well as automatic qualification for the Declare certification system, one of the most comprehensively strict sustainability standards on the market. This essentially guarantees qualification for LEED Certification and any other sustainability certification system.

PROS FOR THIS SEALER

ECOS Paints is essentially a one-stop shop for any sustainable building project. They carry a wide range of coating products including paints, primers, stains, varnishes, concrete products, air purifying products, pet products, glues, sealers, and a range of specialty paints. Trusted by countless municipalities, private projects, citizens, and environmental organizations like the NRDC, ECOS Paints have a history of high-quality, high-integrity products. Their sealers are no different and are an excellent option.

CONS FOR THIS SEALER

ECOS Paints products are more expensive than mainstream brands, but come with the added benefit of qualification for environmental certification systems. Also, ECOS Paints focuses mainly on eCommerce, and is thus less present in normal retailers, making their products more difficult to find for purchase over-the-counter.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click Here for the Company Website

 

DO-IT-YOURSELF NATURAL SEALER OPTIONS

Here is a natural sealer option also.

DO-IT-YOURSELF LINSEED-OIL-BASED SEALER

This recipe from hunker.com has only two ingredients – linseed oil and turpentine. Want complete control over the ingredients going into the product you are using, and thus the environment you live and breathe in? Here you go! Making DIY linseed-oil-based sealer is easy, cheap, and it works.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 part linseed oil
• 1 part turpentine

DIRECTIONS

1. Purchase linseed oil that has already been boiled or boil it yourself. It will be ready after it reaches a full boil.
2. Get a large bucket and mix the linseed oil with an equal amount of turpentine. How much you make depends on how large a surface area you need to seal.
3. Apply at least two coats.

PROS FOR THIS DIY SEALER

This DIY option has less environmental impact than most conventional products and allows you complete control and knowledge of the ingredients.

CONS FOR THIS DIY SEALER

It requires more work to boil and mix your own than to buy it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Source Article | How to Find the Right Non-toxic Wood Sealer

 

LEED MATERIALS POINTS EXPLAINED

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system propagated by the US Green Building Council as the leading standard for green buildings worldwide. Short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED Version 4 (the most current as of this writing) is designed to standardize and reward environmentally conscious building practices through assessing water usage, energy efficiency, environmental impact, materials selection, air quality, and countless other environmentally relevant factors. With independent crediting systems for newly constructed buildings (Building Design and Construction), interior construction (Interior Design and Construction), individual homes (Homes), whole neighborhoods (Neighborhood Development), and even entire cities (Cities and Communities), LEED v4 aims to provide a comprehensive blueprint for any project team, business, or individual seeking to undergo a more ecologically minded construction process.

Projects that participate in the LEED program are awarded points based on their compliance with the LEED v4 Standards and on a scale of 0-100. Depending on the number of points accumulated, projects are awarded a level of certification as follows:

• 40-49 points: LEED Certified
• 50-59 points: LEED Silver Certified
• 60-79 points: LEED Gold Certified
• 80+ points: LEED Platinum Certified

Achieving LEED Certification demonstrates an intense commitment to sustainability and ecological responsibility and can be immensely beneficial for improving the public image of a company. More directly, LEED Certification can often lead to significant tax credits and has also been shown to increase property values. LEED Certification can be immensely beneficial to businesses and normal people alike and we support its use as a standard for sustainable development.

Paints, stains, sealants, and primers are a group of products crucial to achieving LEED Certification. Using products compliant with LEED Standards is an invaluable tool for accruing points and certification. Depending on which area of LEED Certification one is aiming for, paints, stains, sealants, and primers can help with a significant portion of the necessary points. The amount of potential points, including paints etc. and organized by LEED Certification area, is as follows:

• Building Design and Construction (BD+C) – 9 points
• Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) – 7 points
• Homes – 3 points
• Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) – n/a
• Neighborhood Development (ND) – n/a
• Cities and Communities – n/a

 

BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

In order to secure the maximum of 9 points, one must complete the following requirements:

1. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES – ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS

Materials and Resources – Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declarations (1-2 points): This component stresses selecting products from manufacturers with completed and environmentally preferable life-cycle impact analyses for their products. There are 2 options within the credit, each worth 1 point. Completing both earns the maximum of 2 points.

Option 1 – Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): In order to earn this credit, the project team must provide proof that they have used at least 20 different products sourced from at least 5 different manufacturers, meeting at least 1 of the following criteria:

• Products have publicly available and critically reviewed life-cycle assessments conforming to ISO 14044.
• Products have publicly available Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) as standardized by ISO 14025 and ISO 21930. EPDs must have at least cradle to gate scope, with industry-wide and/or product-specific certification.
• Alternatively, project teams can use USGBC approved products and/or certification programs.

Option 2 – Multi-Attribute Optimization: In order to earn this credit, project teams use 3rd-party products with available life-cycle analyses demonstrating reduction above industry averages in:

• Global Warming Potential (GWP)
• Depletion of Ozone Layer
• Acidification (land/water)
• Eutrophication
• Tropospheric Ozone Formation
• Depletion of Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Industry averages can be retrieved from relevant Environmental Product Declarations in same product categories. To ease the process, use products/materials from the USGBC List of Certified Products/Materials. In addition, products sourced within 100 miles yield 200% value consideration.

 

2. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES – MATERIAL INGREDIENTS

Materials and Resources – Building Product Disclosure & Optimization – Material Ingredients (1-2 points): This component emphasizes material ingredient reporting and certification. There are 3 options within the credit, each worth 1 point. Complete 2 of the 3 following options for a maximum of 2 points.

Option 1 – Material Ingredient Reporting: In order to earn this credit, one must initially utilize (and provide evidence of utilization of) at least 20 different products from at least 5 different manufacturers. With that prerequisite completed, one must then provide a fully realized chemical inventory for each product, conforming to or certified by a USGBC approved program/standard. USGBC approved chemical inventory services are as follow:

• Manufacturer Inventory – chemical inventories conducted by manufacturer of product(s) are accepted if they are registered through the Chemical Abstract Service Registration Number (CASRN) service and/or the European Community Number (EC Number) service. If not, then manufacturer inventories are not considered for crediting. If a product is protected from disclosing the above due to trade secret or intellectual property status, refer to p.97 LEED BD+C Handbook
• Health Product Declaration certification
• Cradle to Cradle – certification at v2 Basic or v3 Bronze level
• Declare Product label certification
• ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard
• Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certificate
• ProductLens Certification
• NSF/AINSI 336: Sustainability Assessment for Commercial Furnishings Fabric

Option 2 – Material Ingredient Optimization: To achieve this credit, at least 25% of products (by cost) must have documented material ingredient optimization crediting from one or more of the following USGBC approved programs:

• GreenScreen v.1.2 Benchmark
• Cradle to Cradle Certification
• REACH Authorization List

Option 3 – Product Manufacturer Supply Chain Optimization: To achieve this credit, at least 25% (by cost) of building products must meet the following criteria: Products must be sourced from product manufacturers with comprehensive safety, health, hazard, and risk program validations, which document at least 99% of materials used.

If the product manufacturer has conducted and completed third party verification that meets the following criteria, that would qualify as well:

• There is active, transparent effort to evaluate chemical makeup of all products, especially those with more pressing hazard, exposure, and use information.
• There is documentation on health, safety, and environmental characteristics of chemical ingredients.
• There is active effort to productively manage products based on above information on characteristics.
• Optimize health, safety, environmental impacts when designing and improving chemical ingredients.
• Communicate, receive, evaluate chemical ingredient safety and stewardship information along supply chain.
• Has publicly available info about chemical ingredients at every point along the supply chain.

Note: Products sourced within 100 miles of project site valued at 200% for Options 1 & 2.

 

3. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES – PBT SOURCE REDUCTION: LEAD, CADMIUM, AND COPPER

Materials and Resources – PBT Source Reduction: Lead, Cadmium, and Copper (2 points): This credit is intended to reduce use and release of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic chemicals (PBT) within the life cycle of materials. To achieve the credit, project teams must specify and provide proof that there is no use of interior or exterior paints containing lead or cadmium.

 

4. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY – LOW-EMITTING MATERIALS

Indoor Environmental Quality – Low-Emitting Materials (1-3 points): This credit is intended to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants in interior products with a focus on reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) concentrations and emissions. There are 2 options for achieving this credit. Each option contains the possibility to achieve all 3 points.

Option 1 – Product Category Calculations: To complete this credit, one must comply with chemical content thresholds up to the percent listed in the table below. Threshold resources are listed and, depending on the extent of one’s compliance, points are awarded:

• If 3 categories comply, 1 point
• If 5 categories comply, 2 points
• If 6 categories comply, 3 points

Option 2 – Budget Calculation Method: If products do not meet the above criteria, points can still be awarded using the budget calculation method. Based on the percentage of total compliance across all categories, points can be awarded. There are 3 Budget Calculation equations, all of which are listed below:

Equation 1: Total Percentage Compliance

• (% compliant walls + % compliant ceilings + % compliant insulation + % compliant furniture) / 5

Equation 2: System Percentage Compliant

• Flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation % compliance: [ (compliant surface area of layer 1 + compliant surface area of layer 2 + etc) / (total surface area of layer 1 + total surface area of layer 2 + etc) ] * 100

Equation 3: Furniture Systems Compliant (use ANSI/BIFMA)

• % compliant for furniture by calculating surface area based on manufacturers documentation for application: [ (0.5 * cost compliant with §7.6.1 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 + cost compliant with §7.6.2 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011) / total furniture cost) ] * 100

If project is greater than or equal to 90% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 100% compliant. If project is less than or equal to 50% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 0% compliant.

VOC Emission and Content Requirements for Options 1 and 2:

• A product must meet all relevant requirements to be considered compliant.
• Inherently Non-emitting Sources: automatically considered fully compliant without VOC emissions testing as long as they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, sealants.
• General Emissions Evaluation: Building products must be tested and determined compliant with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.1″2010 using applicable exposure scenario. The default scenario is private office – project teams must pick the scenario most applicable to the product and report which exposure scenario was used.
• Must state amount of wet-applied products used in mass per surface area.
• Manufacturers’ claims of compliance with the above requirements must also state the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours), measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.1: 0.5 mg/m³ or less; between 0.5 and 5.0 mg/m³ ; or 5.0 mg/m³ or more.
• Supplementary VOC Content Requirements for Wet-Applied Products – wet applied products are required to meet all of the above, as well as the following (whenever relevant): Manufacturer must disclose VOC content; All paints and coatings must meet VOC limits of 1+ of following: California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2007, Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113. All adhesives and sealants must meet SCAQMD Rule 1168.
• If a product cannot be tested using above methods, must comply with the following: ASTM D2369-10, ISO 11890 – part 1, ASTM D6886-03, ISO 11890-2.
• Methylene chloride and perchloroethylene may not be intentionally added in paints, coatings, adhesives, or sealants.
• For furniture and composite wood requirements, refer to p. 61 LEED ID+C Handbook
• For projects outside of US, refer to p. 60 LEED ID+C Handbook

Laboratories that conduct the tests specified (for VOC emissions + content) must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025.

For manufacturer claims, first and third-party statements of product compliance must follow CDPH SM V1.1″2010, Section 8. Organizations that certify manufacturers claims must be accredited under ISO Guide 65.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

In order to secure the maximum of 7 points, one must complete the following requirements:

1. BUILDING PRODUCT DISCLOSURE AND OPTIMIZATION – ENVIRONMENTAL BUILDING DECLARATIONS

Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Building Declarations (1-2 points, CI, Retail, Hospitality) – This credit emphasizes the procurement and disclosure of Environmental Product Declarations for products used in the project. It also includes a Multi-Attribute Optimization framework, intended to encourage project teams to demonstrate above average reductions in environmentally relevant fields, with life-cycle analyses serving as proof. In order to secure the maximum of 2 points, project teams must complete both of the options below:

Option 1 (1 point) – Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): To achieve compliance with this option, project teams must have at least 20 permanently installed products from at least 5 manufacturers meeting at least 1 of the following criteria:

• Must have product-specific declarations with public, critically reviewed life cycle assessment conforming to ISO 14044, with at least cradle to gate scope. Declarations of this type are valued at 1/4 of a product for crediting, meaning 80 products are required instead of 20 to secure the credit.
• Must have Environmental Product Declarations conforming to ISO 14025, 14040, 14044, and EN 15804 or just ISO 21930, also with at least cradle to gate scope. Industry Wide (Generic) EPD’s are valued at 1/2 product, meaning a total of 40 are required, while Product Specific EPD’s are valued at 1 whole product, meaning 20 products is adequate. For a concise explanation of the differences between the various types of Environmental Product Declarations, follow this link.

Option 2 (1 point) – Multi-Attribute Optimization: To achieve compliance with this option, at least 50% by cost of permanently installed products must meet at least 1 of the following criteria:

• Uses 3rd party products with life-cycle analyses demonstrating reduction above industry average in: GWP, Depletion of Ozone Layer, Acidification (land/water), Eutrophication, Tropospheric Ozone Formation, and Depletion of Nonrenewable Energy Sources, with industry averages retrieved from relevant EPD’s in same product category.
• Products sourced within 100 miles are valued at 200%.
• Structural and enclosure materials may not constitute more than 30% of value.

 

2. BUILDING PRODUCT DISCLOSURE AND OPTIMIZATION: MATERIAL INGREDIENTS

Building Product Disclosure and Optimization: Material Ingredients (1-2 points, Commercial Interior, Retail Commercial Interiors, Hospitality Commercial Interiors) – This credit is intended to promote prioritization of products and materials with positive, publicly available life-cycle information. It is intended to reward project teams for having comprehensive inventories of the chemical ingredients of their products and materials, demonstrating minimization of harmful substances. The credit is composed of 3 options, each of which is worth 1 point. In order to secure the maximum of 2 points, 2 of the 3 options must be completed:

Option 1 (1 point): To achieve compliance with this option, project teams must have at least 20 products from at least 5 manufacturers, and must use one of the following methods to demonstrate completed chemical inventories of products to at least 0.1%:

• Manufacturer Inventory – complete chemical inventories with public, registered inventory of ingredients through Chemical Abstract Service Registration Number (CASRN)
• Health Product Declaration certification
• Cradle to Cradle – certification at v2 Basic or v3 Bronze level

Option 2 (1 point): Material Ingredient Optimization – 25%+ by cost of products document material ingredient optimization using one of following:

• GreenScreen v.1.2 Benchmark – If all ingredients undergo full assessment, valued at 150% for crediting.
• Cradle to Cradle Certification – v2 Platinum and v3 Gold/Platinum accrue 150% value
• REACH Authorization List

Option 3 (1 point): Product Manufacturer Supply Chain Optimization – to achieve compliance with this option, at least 25% (by cost) of building products must be sourced from product manufacturers with third party verification that:

• There is active, transparent effort to evaluate chemical makeup of all products, especially those with more pressing hazard, exposure, and use information.
• There is documentation on health, safety, and environmental characteristics of chemical ingredients.
• There is active effort to productively manage products based on above information on characteristics.
• Optimize health, safety, environmental impacts when designing and improving chemical ingredients
• Communicate, receive, evaluate chemical ingredient safety and stewardship information along supply chain
• Has publicly available info about chemical ingredients at every point along supply chain.
• Has comprehensive safety, health, hazard, and risk program validations.
• Documents at least 99% of materials used.

Note: For options 2 and 3, products sourced within 100 miles valued at 200%. 

Structure and enclosure materials may not constitute over 30% of value.

 

3. LOW-EMITTING MATERIALS

Low-Emitting Materials (1-3 points) – This credit is intended to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants in interior products, with a focus on reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) concentrations and emissions. There are 2 options for achieving this credit. Each option contains the possibility to achieve all 3 points.

Option 1 – Product Category Calculations: To complete this credit, one must comply with chemical content thresholds up to the percent listed in table. Threshold resources are listed. Depending on the extent of one’s compliance, points are awarded:

• If 3 categories comply, 1 point.
• If 5 categories comply, 2 points.
• If 6 categories comply, 3 points.

Option 2 – Budget Calculation Method: If products do not meet the above criteria, points can still be awarded using the budget calculation method. Based on the percentage of total compliance across all categories, points can be awarded. There are 3 Budget Calculation equations, all of which are listed below:

Equation 1: Total Percentage Compliance

• (% compliant walls + % compliant ceilings + % compliant insulation + % compliant furniture) / 5

Equation 2: System Percentage Compliant

• Flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation % compliance: [ (compliant surface area of layer 1 + compliant surface area of layer 2 + etc) / (total surface area of layer 1 + total surface area of layer 2 + etc) ] * 100

Equation 3: Furniture Systems Compliant (use ANSI/BIFMA)

• % compliant for furniture by calculating surface area based on manufacturers documentation for application: [ (0.5 * cost compliant with §7.6.1 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 + cost compliant with §7.6.2 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011) / total furniture cost) ] * 100

If project is greater than or equal to 90% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 100% compliant. If project is less than or equal to 50% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 0% compliant.

VOC Emission and Content Requirements for Options 1 and 2:

• A product must meet all relevant requirements to be considered compliant.
• Inherently Non-emitting Sources: automatically considered fully compliant without VOC emissions testing as long as they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, sealants.
• General Emissions Evaluation: Building products must be tested and determined compliant with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.1″2010 using applicable exposure scenario. The default scenario is private office – project teams must pick the scenario most applicable to the product and report which exposure scenario was used.
• Must state amount of wet-applied products used in mass per surface area.
• Manufacturers’ claims of compliance with the above requirements must also state the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours), measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.1: 0.5 mg/m³ or less; between 0.5 and 5.0 mg/m³ ; or 5.0 mg/m³ or more.
• Supplementary VOC Content Requirements for Wet-Applied Products – wet applied products are required to meet all of the above, as well as the following (whenever relevant): Manufacturer must disclose VOC content; All paints and coatings must meet VOC limits of 1+ of following: California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2007, Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113. All adhesives and sealants must meet SCAQMD Rule 1168.
• If a product cannot be tested using above methods, must comply with the following: ASTM D2369-10, ISO 11890 – part 1, ASTM D6886-03, ISO 11890-2.
• Methylene chloride and perchloroethylene may not be intentionally added in paints, coatings, adhesives, or sealants.
• For furniture and composite wood requirements, refer to p. 61 LEED ID+C Handbook
• For projects outside of US, refer to p. 60 LEED ID+C Handbook

Laboratories that conduct the tests specified (for VOC emissions + content) must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025.

For manufacturer claims, first and third-party statements of product compliance must follow CDPH SM V1.1″2010, Section 8. Organizations that certify manufacturers claims must be accredited under ISO Guide 65.

 

HOMES

In order to secure the maximum of 3 points, one must complete the following requirements:

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (EQ) – LOW-EMITTING PRODUCTS

Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) – Low-Emitting Products (3 points): This credit is intended to reduce exposure to airborne chemical contaminants through product selection. There is only one aspect to this credit, and it must be completed in full to accrue the maximum 3 points:

• Use products for interior of home that have been tested and found to be compliant with California Department of Public Health Standard Method V1.1″2010 using CA Section 01350, Appendix B, New Single-Family Residence scenario. For emission testing, products must meet 90%+ of requirements to be considered compliant.
• Interior paints and coatings must meet requirements of CA Section 01350 (0.5 points).
• Flooring, insulation, site applied adhesives and sealants, must all meet requirements of CA Section 01350 – 0.5 points each.
• Composite woods have different grading system, and is worth just 1 point. For more information on this credit, refer to p.100 of Homes.

 

RESOURCES

Here are any other resources we’ve found (or that have been shared with us) and we think may be helpful:

• SPOT Sustainable Product Database: This website allows you to look up products and view which certifications those products have. It is immensely useful for locating products which comply with LEED, WELL, or similar crediting systems.
• US Green Building Council Website: For anyone interested in investigating the LEED Certification system, the USGBC website is an immensely valuable resource. It contains explanations of the mission and history of the council and LEED, as well as links to the actual LEED system and its handbooks.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Impact on Indoor Air Quality
• Toxins in Paints – basic overview of toxins in paints and the potential dangers.
• Overview of Urea Formaldehyde Resin
• Overview of Cadmium, a common pigmentation in paints
• Overview of Antimony, a common pigmentation in paints
• Overview of Lead, including use in paints
• PDF Overview of Mercury Compounds in Paints
• Overview of Hexavalent Chromium, commonly used in paints
• PDF Overview of Perfluorochemicals – includes use in paints
• Summary of Antimicrobial Treatment Use in Paints
• Article: “Why You Should Use Non-toxic Wood Stain”
• Article: “Ways to Use Paint to Increase Your Home’s Appeal”
• Green Building Supply – online retailer dedicated to locating and selling eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building products, including flooring, paints and coatings, home goods, cleaners, and much more.
• Suggest an addition to this section by clicking here

 

SUMMARY

Paints, primers, varnishes, stains, and sealers are an indispensable and ever present component of modern life. Adorning our homes, schools, hospitals, and public spaces, exposure to these products is unavoidable. With this in mind, it is prudent to pay close attention to the impacts they have on our environment and health. Ourselves, our families, and our communities benefit from selecting companies that engage in responsible manufacturing processes and do not include hazardous chemicals or heavy metals in their products. This page shares our research into this topic as a component of our open source sharing model for providing free and accessible blueprints for sustainable development. We’ll continue to evolve this page with everything we learn and experience with sustainable paints, stains, sealers, and primers as we build the Duplicable City Center and 7 sustainable village models.

 

FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS

Q: Was One Community paid or incentivized in any way to recommend the products we chose?

No, the research to identify and make the selections we made was done by a volunteer researcher without incentives or input from One Community or any company.

Q: What is LEED? What about WELL?

The LEED Green Building Certification System, propagated by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), is designed to standardize and reward environmentally conscious business practices related to construction and general building projects. With independent crediting systems for newly constructed buildings (Building Design and Construction), interior construction (Interior Design and Construction), individual homes (Homes), whole neighborhoods (Neighborhood Development), and even entire cities (Cities and Communities), LEED aims to provide a comprehensive blueprint for any project team, business, or individual seeking to undergo a more ecologically minded construction process. Each rating system has a wide, in-depth selection of potential credits, each of which cites relevant standards and goals.

The WELL Standard, supported by the International WELL Building Institute, is a similar but more accessible accreditation system. In favor of readability, WELL sacrifices some of the specificity so characteristic of the LEED system. Both support the same general mission, and can be effectively used individually or in tandem.

Q: What are the health effects of the hazardous chemicals used in paints? Which chemicals are they?

VOCs, SVOCs, urea formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, and other hazardous chemicals can have adverse effects on human health if used in too great of quantities. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well as Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) are solvents which preserve the liquid mixture of paints. When paints dry, VOCs and SVOCs are released, and thus degrade indoor air quality. This can lead to irritations of the skin, eyes, and lungs in the short term, as well as carcinogenic effects in the long term. Hexavalent Chromium, an additive used in paint pigmentation, has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer, as well as severe irritation of the nose, eyes, throat, and skin. Urea Formaldehyde is a chemical resin that is sometimes mixed with paints in order to improve the toughness of the coating. Excessive formaldehyde exposure has been shown to lead to severe irritation in the short term, and is also a suspected carcinogen.

Here is a helpful info graphic also, reposted with permission from this article: http://www.ecospaints.net/what-are-vocs