Best eco-friendly and low VOC paint, from Little Greene to Lick
October 25, 2021
Whatever colour paint you choose, it can pay to 'think green' when decorating – because as well as being better for the environment, choosing paints that are low VOC could also boost the value of your home.
VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) are substances which contribute to atmospheric pollution when they evaporate. Having walls decorated with low VOC paint is one of the top five eco-improvements most valued by potential homebuyers and could increase your home's value by £2,540, according to money.co.uk's new Eco-Home Report.
Most paint brands have taken steps to reduce the amount of VOCs in their products, but watch out for 'green washing', where companies overstate their eco-credentials, as the British Coatings Federation (BCF) explain: "No decorative coating is entirely environmentally friendly and some high gloss paints, aerosols and some other specialist paints in particular need higher VOC levels for performance and, at present, there is no low VOC substitute for these."