The Latest on “Green Certified” Paint
With all the new “green” choices out there for paint, it’s easy to get confused. Bette Asbra, co-owner of Pro-Staff Painting & Faux Finishing, a Diamond Certified company, says the biggest thing to know when buying most “no or low” volatile organic compound (VOC) products is that by adding any color to the base, you’re increasing VOC levels. Many consumers don’t realize this. The more color added and the deeper the color, the more VOCs.
The only new paint without VOCs in either the base or any of the tints is made by Benjamin Moore, according to Ms. Asbra. She recommends the “Natura” line, which is offered in a wide range of colors. With those, you can add as much tint as you want and not worry about pushing up VOC levels. In addition, this line uses higher-end pigments and saturates better, giving you much better coverage when you’re painting.
Savvy Consumer Tips
Consumer Advocate
Known as The Savvy Consumer, Chris Bjorklund has been a Consumer Advocate for over 35 years. She has worked with KPIX-TV, KGO, The Better Business Bureau, Consumer Reports, and as an Investigator for the Consumer Fraud Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. Chris puts her incredible consumer experience to work for you!
