Ecolibrium paint. How does it stand up to other ecopaints?

[hotcrosswerebunny]

Hi

We've moved into a house which needs gutting and since living here I've developed lots of allergies and intolerances. Due to this, we're very keen to use decorating materials which have fewer nasty toxins and odours. However, we're a bit baffled by the ranges on offer. So may we pick your brains a bit please?

We've ordered, at great cost,a pot of Earthborn ProAqua Eggshell to do the glosswork. However, I've just spotted Ecolibrium satin paint at Homebase, but can't find out much about it. It says it contains 'minimal' VOC's. Is that sufficient, or should we stick with the Earthborn? Do they both work equally well?

I'm sorry to be so dense. I'm new to all this, but really want to be able to decorate my house! Is there anywhere else I should look?

Thank you!

Hi there,
We've been through loads of types (not going to do links, as shd be working - google for them):
Womersleys - I think the paint they do is called Aguila or something like that. Historic colours range is BANK BREAKINGLY expensive, Coastal is much cheaper - covers in one coat they say, and half the price. Smells lovely - cinnamon and clove oil. No VOCs at all.
TheGreenShop in Bisley (I think) - they have their own brand called Green Paint: seems nice enough, though I don't really recommend their gloss: not tough enough.
We have Earthborn Claypaint in the kitchen/dining: it's not meant to be used in kitchens, as it's not really wipeable, but has been fine. Smells of wet earth (unsurprisingly!)
Ecos Paint - NO! Loathesome. I got rather a lot thinking it was a good answer, and it's caused us lots of trouble - the soft sheen stuff came off the walls in ribbons like chewing gum.

If you're worried about allergies/VOCs, then use the paint that's totally free of them. Or, if that's too expensive or you can't find colours you like, get someone else to do the painting and spend a few days with windows wide open and you away from hom!

Thank you! It's always good to get personal recommendations. I'm assuming you haven't any knowledge/experience of the Ecolibrium stuff? I know the eco main brand stuff isn't rated, but haven't heard of that range before...

Hope this will help
VOC free will be safer than zero or Low VOC so the paint specs could be checked.(could not find details on their website)
VOC Content: Usually listed in grams per litre, this can range from 5 to 200. Using a product with the lowest VOC content will yield the lowest overall health risk.
I am a painter and decorator and have not tried equilibrium's new paint range (out this year) but would recommend earthborn esp their clay paints (VOC free)
here are a couple of good websites with lots of info www.ecoartisan.org and www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm and www.earthbornpaints.co.uk.

I looked at Ecolibrium paint and Earthborn and decided on Ecolibrium. I tried testers of both and the Ecolibrium paint was exceptional; the Earthborn, terrible.

The Earthborn Oliver Heath Eco Chic range I looked at - also in Homebase - is packaged in plastic!! When I turned the pot upside down it had a '5' symbol on it which means it's made of a type of plastic for which there's no recycling infrastructure in place - so it's made with petrochemical oil-based products and it has to go into landfill - very eco friendly.

Also, the paint was very poor. I could scrape it off the wall with my fingernail. Also not clever. The opacity was also poor.

The ecolibrium paint is very low in VOC and you might think it should be zero VOC. VOCs are the gases given off when the tin is opened. Earthborn is VOC free suggesting it's better than Ecolibrium.

Not so, in my opinion. The Earthborn Paint still has derivatives of petrochemical oil present - oil is a natural resource we're running out of so it's not sustainable.

Ecolibrium is made with oil from plants so very sustainable.

I used the Sandy Taupe to paint my lounge and it looks absolutely beautiful. It's every bit as good as the premium paints i've used in the past.

My partner arrived home expecting there to be a paint smell in the house - and, amazingly, there wasn't.

It's great stuff and I can't recommend it highly enough!