Wow, this is a truly non-toxic paint, and it’s going to be sold exclusively at Home Depot. It’s called Freshaire Choice, and it’s a zero VOC paint. According to the EPA, the air inside a home is, on average, two-to-five-times more polluted than the air outside. Paint is a large contributing factor to poor indoor air quality and can emit harmful chemicals, such as VOCs, for years after application.
Another innovative feature of this line of paint is that the tints are also zero VOC. It’s the first paint that can make this claim — on average, up to 150 grams of VOCs are added back into paint once the color is mixed. That means that even if you buy a boutique, all natural paint, as soon as you tint it to the color you desire, you just defeated all the work you put into locating and purchasing the paint (except for naturally pigmented paints, like clay paints).
The Freshaire tinting system uses pre-measured packets of dry tint that color the paint without adding any VOCs to the paint. This zero VOC system is an industry first. No other tint system for paint can make this claim. Another innovation is that the tint comes in a packet that dissolves into the paint completely. By using pre measured, standardized packets, Freshaire ensures consistent colors no matter when you buy more paint. The only drawback to the system is that you can only use the 65 colors that are currently available — so no custom matching.
Freshaire Choice has a GreenGuard certification (one of the most stringent independent test laboratories in the United States).
Freshaire uses 100% recycled materials for the can, the can is recyclable when you are done, 75% recycled fiber material is used for the can’s label, the label is printed with soy ink. Another innovation is that the paint chips are also completely recyclable as well being made from recycled materials. As far as I know, only Freshaire allows you to recycle actual sample paint chips.
The Freshaire Choice Paint will be exclusively available at The Home Depot nationwide beginning April 1, 2008. The one-gallon containers will be sold at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $35 - 38. The Freshaire Choice Paint product assortment consists of flat, eggshell and semi-gloss finishes, as well as drywall interior primer and ceiling paint. For more information or to request a free sample, visit www.thefreshairechoice.com or call 1-866-880-0304.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Allie // Mar 3, 2008 at 11:55 am
I was just at Home Depot looking for a low VOC paint. I guess I’ll hold out a little longer and get this stuff. I went to our local paint store first, but the salesman explained the whole thing about VOCs being added back to the paint during tinting. I’m sure I can find something passable out of 65 colors. I’d rather have the color be slightly off than add toxins to my house.
I’m so glad you did this post!
2 Stephen // Mar 3, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I actually bought some of this stuff 2 weeks ago as it was brand new at the Home Depot near my house. The guy there said we were actually only the second person to buy it. But I used it to paint my bathroom at home. The paint covered great, has a very nice color and finish to it. It was about 10 bucks more than BEHR, but did not really have a problem spending that little extra bit.
3 Erin // Mar 5, 2008 at 1:38 pm
their claims are false — other tint systems are zero VOC….for instance Degussa 802 tints are zero VOC. if you buy a zero VOC paint and have it tinted with 802, your product will still be zero VOC. be leery of products that make false claims! stick with green companies that only make green products, not companies that only have a few green options, like freshaire.
4 Mark // Apr 3, 2008 at 9:36 am
Erin must work for a competative company that sells paint. I would much rather go to one of Home Depots thousands of stores and get the zero VOC paint and zero VOC color I want at the same place than get the paint at one place and try and get the color I want at another. I have used this paint and love it I even baught some for my Kids to use in my Grandkid rooms. It even stops existing oders.
5 Lisa // Apr 7, 2008 at 3:36 pm
In the interest of full dislclosure I do work for a business that competes with Home Depot. We are a small family owned and opreated hardware store that carries a line of Non-Toxic Zero VOC paint. Mythic. We also use the NO VOC colorants (tints). The wonderful thing is there are over 1200 Mythic colors available and color matching is available as well. Bring me the color name or number of another brand of paint and we can mix the color in Mythic Paint and it will still be No VOCs. Why limit yourself to 65 colors? Go to http://www.mythicpaint.com and see all the colors available. The best part is that it performs wonderfully. Goes on smoothly and covers magnificently.
6 Mike // Apr 11, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I think I would rather pay $35 for FreshAire instead of $50 or $60 for Degussa or Mythic, even if it only has 65 colors, I can work with that, what do you think?
7 John Frank // Apr 12, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I think the freshairechoice is an interesting idea, but limited to 65 colors, no thanks, I’ll never be happy for settling on a color. Besides HD is known for their quality issues with paint, they squeeze the manufacturers and products get the raw deal. ever buy a dewalt drill? at HD they are worthless, at the small hardware store they are great. Mythic sounds interesting, little pricey online, but we have a store here that sells it for alot less.
8 Shelley // Apr 21, 2008 at 4:13 am
Just used Freshaire to paint my finished basement. I used to use Ralph Lauren, but never again. I love Freshaire paint! It goes on in one coat and very little odor, which goes away once it dries. Great solid color and nice coverage. I will now be using it to paint my bathroom and bedroom. We have asthma in our household and Freshaire paint hasn’t affected us at all. Love it! Freshaire.com offers 3 free 2oz. samples which also comes with a rebate coupon for $5 off each can up to 20 cans. Great Deal!
9 Elizabeth Dehart // Apr 28, 2008 at 6:36 pm
BEST PAINT EVER - yes I am yelling but I bought it the week it cam out to paint my half bath. Only needed one coat and NO fumes.
10 Joe // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:48 pm
FYI to everyone, this paint is hardly non toxic!! Read the caution labels on both the cans & the packs of colorant they add to it, there’s even a carcinogen warning! Don’t be fooled!! While it may be a good paint, it certainly not worth the mid $30 price, the binders used are the old vinyl acrylic, notthe most durable. Also the paint contains NO mildewcides or fungicides due to it upsetting the VOC levels. While this may not be an issue in some applications, i would never use this in a full bath, kitchen, basement or any other moisture prone area.
If you truly care pay the extra loot for the more expensive Degussa or Mythic, Yolo, Livos or other “off” brands.
11 Derek // May 6, 2008 at 4:36 pm
We were very excited to find this product at Home Depot. We are doing our best to create a green home and have been working on that process for years. I have found the product to be terrible. After following ALL the directions and finishing the last coat. I went to remove the tape that was protecting the woodwork and the paint came up with it, right down to the drywall. After spending days prepping and following all the directions now I get to peel all this paint off the walls, fight home depot for a refund, and strat the process all over again with a new product. To make matters worse no one answers their phone at freshaire to help you with problems even though they state they answer phones from 8am to 9pm, its 11:30 and after five calls, no answer. In Hawaii we dont have many choices for natural home items. I really miss our natural home store in Seattle WA where I could have bought a quality product. Anyone that has the product, pick a spot and try to peal it up.
12 cathy // May 22, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Why does it have to be so difficult to decide on “the right paint”.
I have a whole new old house to paint and have wasted more time trying to decide on the right paint for the job.
At first I thought I would go with American Pride, but the only store that sells it near me is almost 4o miles away. Not very “green” to drive that far for the number of projects I have to take on. I just imagine being almost done, and oops out of paint.
I could have it delivered. A gallon is 50 bucks. Which is more than reasonable, since Benjamin Moore is 60 a gallon and I have to go pick it up. But Benjamin Moore has a great reputation, not necessarily for the low no VOCs but the quality of their product. And since I plan to be here for awhile, I want to do quality.
So on the more affordable front, I was considering Olympic Premium (from Lowes). It has received decent reviews. But then I read about the tints. So who know what the final toxin count would be in this product.
Ugh.
It’s easy to say just go with Degussa, Mythic, Yolo, Livos or American Pride but when they aren’t easily or locally available it makes a huge project much more difficult.
Picking the right color used to be the hardest part.
I just don’t have many local options, funny since I live in an area about 45 miles north of DC that has a very strong organic farming community.
13 Geoff // Jun 7, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Sorry - not good! I bought two gallons at home depot and it is like using old oil based paint. It is lousy at leveling, it doesn’t cover worth a darn and when you try to apply a decent coat it runs at the sign of cat. True, there is no discernable odor but it makes an experienced painter look like a beginner. My only hope is that the next brand will stick to it. The eggshell is very slick and that may be a problem. Consider this only if you absolutely must and be ready for a new pastime of fixing all the errors!
14 Suzanne // Jun 11, 2008 at 12:36 am
I love this paint! Yes, two coats are necessary, but, we could sleep in the room when the painter finished!!
15 DIYer // Jun 12, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I just did a review comparing Freshaire paint and Benjamin Moore Aura paint that might be helpful to everyone. http://diyspirit.com/?p=7
16 silvia // Jun 13, 2008 at 8:11 am
Hey everyone!
I recently used Mythic Paint, and I’ve never been happier!! The performance is GREAT , it most certainly stands up to Ben Moore. The colors are endless, and I love the fact that they can match anyones colors. The painters liked how it went on the walls, and there was no smell at all. They’re coming up with more stores nationwide, so it’s easier to purchase. I truly recommend it, it pays off paying extra bucks. The flat finish is about $41.99, and the eggshell is $42.99, semi-gloss is $45.99, and if you ask your contractor might get a discount. For more info go to mythicpaint.com, or mythicstores.com
17 Steve // Jun 14, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Seeing Home Depot sell a zero-VOC paint just indicates that green building is becoming more mainstream. That’s great. We’re all better off for it.
If you really want to buy a good zero-VOC paint, there are a number of other better options - Columbia Purecoat and American Pride are two of them. They are in the low to mid $30 range and can be tinted to any color. They key is to find a place (preferrably a local, non big box store) that uses zero-VOC pigments. You’ll pay less than the alternatives and have all of the benefits of a premium zero-VOC paint.
18 Wesley // Jul 20, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I painted one wall and a hallway with Freshaire paint and I am sorry I did. Six weeks later, there remains a lingering odor of vinyl acetate, the paint’s principle ingredient. I am still waiting to be able to sleep in the room odor free.
If you are looking for a truly odor-free paint after a reasonable drying period, DO NOT use Freshaire. The paint was low odor at time of application, true, but I disagree with others who say that odor goes away. So far, it has not, and I live in a dry climate and have kept the windows open 24 hours a day through all of June and most of July. This subtle smell like that of a new shower curtain, zero VOC or not, defeats my whole purpose in buying the paint.
I do agree with those who say the paint dries blotchy-looking. I am sorry I bought it.
Leave a Comment