San Francisco Painting Company - 6 Crucial Questions and Answers About Green Painting

You understand the inherent environmental risks that a home makeover poses today, and so do contractors. 

In view of this, it is crucial that we all find a way to be more and more environmentally conscious when hiring someone to work on our homes.

Equally, and in order to be socially responsible, a San Francisco painting company¾or for that matter, one in any part of the world¾that works under ecological principles must adjust its business practices and help its clients understand the importance of employing environmentally friendly ways and products when remodeling their homes.

Here are the 6 most important questions everyone asks when talking about green painting and their simple but accurate answers:

1. What is green painting?

   Green painting is an area of expertise within the house or business painting industry that employs eco-friendly paints, other materials, and practices that pose very little negative impact on the environment.

   Green painting has nothing to do with the color, and has everything to do with the paint that contains little or none of the harmful chemicals found in conventional paints, stains, and wood finishing coats such as enamels and varnishes.

   It also encompasses eco-friendly painting business practices, such as the most environmentally friendly ways to dispose of materials, use of an eco-friendly fleet of vehicles, encouragement of group commuting, donation of leftover paint to charity, recycling in the office, and the practice of always recommending the least polluting paint alternative without sacrificing quality.  

2. What’s wrong with traditional paint?

   Traditional paints and finishes release low-level toxic emissions into the air for years after their application.

   These toxins come from various solvents called VOCs¾Volatile Organic Compounds¾, which until not very long ago were vital to create quality paint.

   VOCs release gases that can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and eye, throat, and lung irritation, during and after painting. 

3. What are the benefits of using eco-friendly paints?

   The benefits are numerous; among the most important are:

   • Coating flexibility
   • Better gloss retention
   • Better face resistance
   • Reduced health risks
   • Little or no VOCs
   • Less pollution
   • Low odor
   • Easier clean-up
   • Safer environment
   • Reduced waste
   • Improved durability
4. What exactly are VOCs?

   When you paint a wall or other surface, the paint takes a few hours to dry.  As the paint dries, and for many years afterwards, it releases gases from its liquid form. 

   These harmful gases emitted by the paint as it dries are called VOCs. 

   Among the VOCs we can name: benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and formaldehyde.  Their function is to improve the paint’s capacity to spread, and to act as biocides and fungicides.

   However, in rooms without proper ventilation, these gases can harm human lungs and other organs over time.

   For example, the exposure to formaldehyde can cause eye watering and burning sensations in eyes, nose, and throat.  It can also produce chest tightness and panting, and has been classified by EPA as a possible carcinogen.

   Today, the highest quality paints dry while releasing very low amounts of VOCs, ensuring people’s safety and comfort.

5. Are eco-friendly paints more expensive?

   No, they aren’t.  Due to the ever-increasing demand for healthier painting alternatives, the prices have now equaled to those of traditional paints.

6. Are eco-friendly paints of lesser quality?

   Absolutely not; in fact, Consumer Reports has released an assessment of 57 interior paints currently on the market, including those with low or no VOCs, which were evaluated for hiding performance, surface smoothness, resistance to staining and scrubbing, gloss change, sticking, mildew, and fading, and some eco-friendly brands ranked among the first three places.

   The key is to research and learn thoroughly about all the options, and to work with a San Francisco painting company with trustworthy experience and opinion.  

MB Jessee is a San Francisco painting company that has always placed a high priority on corporate responsibility, and thus, some time ago started reviewing its way of doing business and its effect on the environment.

We, at MB Jessee, acknowledge the dangers of some of the products used in the painting industry, and this is the reason why we have studied ways to change some practices and become more conscious of the world we live in.

We have identified where our greatest environmental impacts come from, and are constantly taking steps to reduce the negative impact our business has on the environment.

We are dedicated to learning, understanding, and implementing new products and techniques that will be safer for the environment and your family.

We proudly recognize ourselves as a green company, one that honors the promise we live and work by:

• To take responsibility
• To never question our customers
• To care for your home or business
• To always do the right thing

We offer you interior painting, complete exteriors, custom color experts, unique wood stains, decorative finishes, and residential and commercial painting services with a high level of professionalism that begins with a quote and goes beyond the ending of a single project, because we aim to have you as a client and friend for life.

We invite you to visit our website, MB Jessee San Francisco painting company, to learn everything about us and about what we will do for you.

Take the time to look at our portfolio and to read our blog, which is full of valuable information and tips to help you improve your life and surroundings in a healthy way, courtesy of a San Francisco painting company that believes that what it does matters, because it impacts the lives not only of its clients but of everyone around them.

Finally, we welcome you to contact us to learn more about what we can do for you and your project, and to get a free estimate today! We also serve the following areas: Contra Costa, Oakland Hills, Berkeley, Alamo, Piedmont, Danville, Hillsborough, Marin, Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights.

Being an environmentally responsible company takes time, dedication and the participation of employees and customers alike, and in today's world, it is a concept that is far too important to overlook, and to be honest… it has been an amazing ride!