EmailBest Reviewed
Interior Paint
- Best-coverage interior paint Benjamin Moore Aura *Est. $55
- General-purpose interior paint Pratt & Lambert Accolade *Est. $40
- Budget interior paint Behr Premium Plus *Est. $23
- Zero-VOC, low-odor interior paint Sherwin-Williams Harmony *Est. $40
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Zero-VOC, low-odor interior paint
- No VOCs
- Low odor
- Wide availability
- Coverage
- Prone to fading
Sherwin-Williams Harmony is one of a growing number of paints that contain no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), so it is largely free of the fumes that can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea. Reviewers and professional painters like it because it handles much like regular latex paint, though reports say coverage isn't quite as good as the top-rated paints. It's also relatively inexpensive for a no-VOC paint. Though it's yet to be evaluated by professional reviewers, Mythic (*est. $50 per gallon) gets terrific reviews from professional painters that have used it, raving both about its no-VOC, zero-carcinogen formula and its performance. However, it is more expensive and hard to find. The best interior paint overall is Benjamin Moore Aura (*est. $55 per gallon), which is a low-VOC paint.
Consumer Reports is among the professional reviewers who've evaluated Sherwin-Williams Harmony interior paint. Its reporting is fair and unbiased, but there's very little discussion and its findings are often disputed by professional painters posting in discussion forums such as DoItYourself.com and PaintTalk.com. Green Guide also has a comparative review of no-VOC paints that includes Harmony. However, testing is informal and no ratings are given.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Sherwin-Williams Harmony is the only no-VOC paint evaluated in the most recent update of Consumer Reports' test of interior paints. Discussion of the paint is non-existent, however, and no mention is made of its no-VOC rating, which could be important for people looking to minimize their exposure to paint fumes.
Review: Interior Paint, Editors of Consumer Reports, Mar. 2008
Kate Harris evaluates low-odor and low-VOC paints, commenting on odor, color choices, and ease and quality of application. Harris says Sherwin-Williams Harmony has no VOCs, low odor, comes in many colors and handles like a regular latex paint.
Review: Natural Paints Put to the Test, Kate Harris, Oct./Nov. 2007
Painters, contractors and homeowners freely exchange tips on paint and painting at this user forum. Sherwin-Williams Harmony and other no-VOC paints are discussed in numerous threads, though other paints get far more discussion.
Review: Painting Forum, Contributors to DoItYourself.com
PaintTalk.com is another site where professional painters and ambitious homeowners gather to discuss everything related to painting. Sherwin-Williams Harmony and other no-VOC and low-VOC paints are discussed in two fairly lengthy and relatively recent threads.
Review: General Painting Discussion Forum, Contributors to PaintTalk.com
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