9 North American Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paint Brands that Builders and Designers Should Know About

Jan 27, 2025 | Indoor, Bathroom, Bedroom, Decor, Kitchen, LEED & Green, Magazine

A home’s air quality is impacted by paints for up to 6 months. Using Zero or Low-VOC Paint can help. We found 9 North American paint companies with no/low-VOC to specify in your projects.
Low-VOC and Zero-VOC open paint cans with earth tone paints, brush sitting on top

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Did you know that the air inside buildings tends to contain 2-5 times more pollution as the air outdoors? Air quality is degraded by the high number of chemicals found in building materials, home products, cleaning supplies, and more.

Many types of paint emit gases called VOCs which can cause a range of health problems, but companies also produce alternative paints with lower amounts of VOCs. When designing a room or building a home, keep in mind your client’s well being and lifestyle goals, so you know which type of paint to choose for their project.

What is “VOC”?

VOC stands for “volatile organic compounds” which are chemicals that can evaporate into the air from either liquid or solid materials including paints, varnishes, wax, cleaning agents, and more.

Situations where VOC matters:

Choose products carefully when initiating a new construction project, a remodel, or when working with high risk, sensitive, or pregnant occupants, as it can take 6 months for the fumes to dissipate.

Why it Matters

VOCs can have negative impacts on health, including causing:

  • Allergy symptoms
  • Asthma flareups
  • Migraines
  • Bronchitis
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Damage to kidney, liver, and central nervous system

VOCs negatively impact the environment by converting into ozone when released into the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of smog. If your clients are serious about using eco-friendly materials, suggest low/no VOC or non-toxic paints.

Benefits of Using Low/No VOC Paints

Low VOC paint contains less than 50 grams per liter of VOCs. No VOC or zero VOC paint may contain up to 5 grams of VOCs per liter.

Using low VOC paint or zero VOC paint will eliminate the “new paint” odor, which is in fact the smell of volatile chemicals. The odor and gases will dissipate within 3 days, rather than over months, cutting down on the risk of both environmental and health problems. It’s safer not just for occupants but for workers applying the paint as well.

Environmentally friendly certification programs like Greenguard are useful for finding companies which actually back their claims. Many paints may use the label “low-VOC” or “non toxic” without meeting the required benchmarks.

Cons of Using Low/No VOC Paints

Be aware, though, that some low/no VOC paints are more expensive and can be streakier and require more coats to achieve a finished look. Mixing in a color can add VOCs back into the paint, so you may be limited in your design options, or think carefully about what kind of dyes you add.

Depending on the process for making the paint, low/no VOC paint can still contain a lot of toxic materials, as the Environmental Protection Agency can only regulate some paints. If your clients want to completely eliminate the risk of toxic materials or production processes, you may need to search for non-toxic or natural paints, which are harder to find. We’ve curated a list for you below.

Low/No VOC Paint Brands

It’s easy to find low/no VOC paint brands at national home improvement stores. Large paint brands like Valspar, Behr, and Sherwin Williams create their own lines of low/no VOC paint.

If you’re looking for a wider range of options, including local and customizable paints, we’ve compiled a list of 9 paint manufacturers based in North America who focus on quality and safety.

Featured Brand

AFM Safecoat

San Diego, California

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Committed to health-conscious building products, AFM Safecoat aims to provide non-toxic, low-VOC paints and finishes for chemically sensitive individuals and sustainable building. AFM’s products are known for their rigorous health and environmental standards. Builders choose AFM for its leadership in non-toxic products, offering one of the most comprehensive lines of low-VOC coatings in the market.
Featured Brand

American Clay

Albuquerque, New Mexico
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American Clay promises to bring natural beauty into interiors while promoting healthy, eco-friendly building practices. As a pioneer in natural clay plaster, American Clay offers builders a unique, non-toxic alternative to conventional wall coverings. The products are breathable, mold-resistant, and give a natural aesthetic to spaces, ideal for sustainable and organic-inspired projects.
Featured Brand

Bioshield Paint

Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Bioshield aims to offer natural, non-toxic paints that promote a healthier indoor environment, focusing on eco-friendliness and sustainability. Known for its natural ingredients, Bioshield Paint is attractive to builders prioritizing non-toxic and sustainable building. It differentiates itself with a variety of natural options, including clay-based and plant-derived paints.
Featured Brand

Clare Paint

New York, New York
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To make eco-friendly paint accessible and straightforward, Clare Paint simplifies paint choices for healthier homes. Clare stands out with its commitment to color expertise and online convenience. Builders appreciate Clare’s curated color options, zero-waste packaging, and emphasis on safe, low-odor paints.
Featured Brand

ECOS Paints & Lullaby Paints

Fairforest, South Carolina
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ECOS Paints provides premium quality, non-toxic paints to help create safer, cleaner indoor air. Known for their innovative technology, ECOS Paints goes beyond low-VOC by eliminating harsh chemicals entirely. Their products are carefully formulated to avoid asthma and allergy triggers, appealing to health-conscious builders. Lullaby Paints, manufactured by ECOS, provides high-performance, non-toxic paints that are safe for both adults and children. Originally developed for nursery and kid-friendly spaces, Lullaby Paints offers ultra-safe, low-odor formulas. Builders appreciate its family-focused mission and stringent safety standards.
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
Featured Brand

Green Planet Paints

Tucson, Arizona
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Green Planet Paints provides non-toxic, plant-based paints that are safe for the planet and people. Builders are drawn to Green Planet Paints for its commitment to earth-based pigments and plant-derived ingredients. Their focus on sustainable materials differentiates them in the eco-conscious market.
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms

Featured Brand

Old Fashioned Milk Paint

Groton, Massachusetts

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Old Fashioned Milk Paint provides natural, traditional paints that are environmentally safe and ideal for restoration. This milk paint formula appeals to builders interested in historic preservation and environmentally sound practices. It’s biodegradable, durable, and provides a distinct, rustic finish.
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
Featured Brand

Real Milk Paint Co.

Hohenwald, Tennessee
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Real Milk Paint Co. set out to create natural paints and finishes based on historic milk paint formulas, safe for the environment and homes. Builders seeking authentic finishes and eco-friendly alternatives turn to Real Milk Paint Co. for its ease of use, natural aesthetic, and low environmental impact. They are unique for their paint’s historical authenticity, ease of use, and biodegradability, making The Real Milk Paint Co. a standout choice for sustainable and historic renovation projects.
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
Featured Brand

Vermont Natural Coatings

Hardwick, Vermont
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Vermont Natural Coatings is dedicated to providing safer, sustainable wood finishes that are beautiful and durable. Known for using whey protein in their wood finishes, they offer builders a unique, natural alternative to traditional finishes. Their products are especially valued in green building and sustainable design projects.
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms
A Lullaby Paint can (by ECOS Paints) with white label and back, plastic lid is safe for nurseries and kid’s rooms

Share Your Insights

What’s your favorite brand of low/no VOC paint, and how did you and your client like the results?

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