Strong River specializes in creating the healthiest environment for your children and we believe that this starts with the air that they breathe. Whether you want your baby’s nursery walls refreshed with one simple color or your child’s room livened up with a fun and vibrant mural we can help you achieve this goal.

All commercially produced paints include significant amounts of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs– found in the solvents, binders, stabilizers, insecticides, fungicides, preservatives and even the pigments. Some are known carcinogens while others cause liver or kidney damage. In smaller doses the off-gassing from VOCs can lead to dizziness, disorientation, headaches, loss of muscle control, and irregular heartbeat.

Lead based paints have been illegal in the United States and Canada since 1978. Even if you don’t plan to repaint check what’s on your walls. Homes or businesses built prior to 1980 may still have lead-based paint on the walls which pose a serious hazard to children.

Natural Paint

As bad as the bad news is regarding conventional paint, the good news is just as hopeful. Many companies now produce beautiful formulations that are nontoxic and zero-VOC. As well, a range of new products is emerging, some reviving time-honoured traditions that were common place before chemicals permeated our lives. Paints are now available that are made from tree and plant oils and resins, herbal extracts, mineral and vegetable pigments, citrus-peel thinners, and beeswax. You can even find food-based aromatherapy paint with fragrances like lemon and vanilla. One note of caution however: some low or no-VOC paint produced by large, mainstream companies is still quite toxic because of chemicals added to remove paint odors. Contact the manufacturer for more detailed information.

While paint is the easiest and least expensive option for colour, also consider finishes such as plaster and natural grass, fabric wall coverings with nontoxic adhesives and dyes or milk-based and casein-based paint.

For more detailed information on options and products or to schedule one of our dedicated professionals for a FREE estimate or color consultation please contact us here at Strong River.