Fume-free paints: pocket-friendly prices, a rainbow of colors, and a finish for every surface are finally making zero-VOC paints the obvious choice

Sunset, June, 2009 by Jess Chamberlain

Coverage MYTHIC A one-coat option offering even, consistent, high-performance coverage. Look for vibrant new palettes by HGTV's Color Splash star, David Bromstad, due out this summer. INFO to finishes, 1,232 colors, custom color matches ($16/qt., $46/gal.; mythicpaint.com or 877/714-9422)

Old guard AFM SAFECOAT AFM paved the road for toxin-free paints 25 years ago [long before most people knew what VOC was] and is still a reliable choice. INFO 3 finishes, 930 colors, custom color matches; most zero-VOC, a few low -VOC ($75/qt.,$42/gal.; afmsafecoat.com or 800/239-0321)

Colors YOLO COLORHOUSE Though it's not the only zero-VOC paint company with limitless color matching, Yolo's nature-inspired custom palettes set it apart. Its new Color of Hope collection is 36 bold and energetic hues meant to create positive, comfortable spaces. INFO 3 finishes, 127 colors, custom color matches ($15/qt., &45/gal.; yolocoiorhouse.com or 877/493-8275)

Bang for the buck

THE FRESHAIRE CHOICE

Sold exclusively at the Home Depot, Freshaire offers a limited, mostly muted palette at an affordable price. A great choice for neutrals and whites. INFO 3 finishes, 66 colors (from $34/gal.; reshairechoice.com or 866/880-0304 for stores)

Super natural

GREEN PLANET PAINTS

Produced in Phoenix, these interior wall paints are based on soy resin, clay, mineral pigments, and other natural materials.Coverage mythic A one-coat option offering even, consistent, high-performance coverage. Look for vibrant new palettes by j HGTV's Color Splash star, David Bromstad, due out this summer. INFO 10 finishes, 48 colors, custom color matches (from $48/gal.; greenpianetpa.in.ts. com or 520/394-2571]

Newbie NATRA All of Benjamin Moore's colors are available in Natura, the comapany's first residential zero-VOC paint line, now in wide distribution. INFO 3 finishes, 3,500 colors, custom color matches ($13/qt., $50/gal.; benjamin moore.com or 800/672-4686 for stores)

Definitions

voc (VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND) Organic chemical compounds that vaporize under most normal temperatures--resulting in that "wet paint" smell. VOCs are associated with a range of health issues, from nausea and dizziness to respiratory problems and cancer.

ZERO-VOC PAINT An industry standard generally referring to paint with less than 5 grams of VOC per liter. At the store, be sure to ask if the colorants used to tint the paints are also zero-VOC.

LOW-VOC PAINT Generally referring to paint that contains less than 50 grams of VOC per liter.

COLOR PLAY EXPERIMENT WITH COLORS AND ROOM DESIGNS AT myhorneideas.com/color-assistant

BY JESS CHAMBERLAIN | PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFFERY CROSS