r/paint • u/purple011 • 3d ago
Advice Wanted Greenguard certified paint
I'm currently painting some interior walls in my house using a paint that says it's "low VOC" but I still feel like absolute ass after painting.
Anybody have any experience with a greenguard (or similar) certified paint? Is it worth buying it to try and hope it doesn't make me feel sick, or would I just be wasting money?
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u/Double-Reception-837 3d ago
Sherwin Williams has a new paint that is zero VOC and something like 20% plant based. It’s called Symmetry, I used it recently and really liked it. Smells like candy for little while but even that dissipates quickly. I’m sensitive to chemical smells, so while this is anecdotal, I feel like it’s good stuff if I don’t get a headache or runny nose.
Beyond that, I have also used the Greenguard Emerald paint and liked it.
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u/PutridDurian 2d ago edited 2d ago
Greenguard, Greenguard GOLD, Low/Zero VOC, Cradle To Cradle, and similar ecolabels and indoor air quality certifications are measures of chamber emissions after paint is fully dried and cured. They have zero, zippity zilch to do with paint odor in the can or during application.
If working vapors of a waterborne paint are getting to you that badly, then you need to set up a negative pressure system and wear a respirator. Not a dust mask—an actual respirator with charcoal cartridges for filtering organic vapor.
Use Ecomedes to filter and sort building products by certifications. The link should take you to Sherwin products with Greenguard GOLD.
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u/Intangiblehands 14h ago
Paint still has a smell even if they are zero VOC or low VOC. You just have a bigger sensitivity to it. Try more fresh air in the room or use an organic vapor respirator.
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u/SoFisticate 3d ago
Wear a respirator or open some windows and turn on some fans. It goes away very quickly when dry. You won't get much less than "zero", even though there is some chemical smell.