How do Mineral Paints Compare to Acrylic Paints ?
June 5, 2023
Painting is usually one of the first things you do when you move in to a new space. It is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to change the aesthetic of a room. Some of us like cool spaces, some of us like warm spaces, and some like everything in between. It’s also probably safe to say that all of us want healthy spaces, but that may not always be at the forefront when considering paint options, like mineral paint. The majority of big box stores carry acrylic based—sometimes called “latex.” which are easy to clean, come in any color imaginable, and they are mostly self-priming these days.
A lot of us are starting to become more familiar with low or zero VOC paints. VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds, come from the various chemicals that emit gases in to the air and can have short and long term health effects. The strong smell is the first thing you notice and it may dissipate over time, but these gases can stay around for much longer than the smell, leaving the air quality less than ideal. You can find latex paints that are low or zero VOC which is a great first step to a healthier space, but VOCs are not the only determining factor to what makes a healthy or eco-friendly paint.
VOCs are only one of the harmful chemicals found in latex paints. Latex paints have plasticizers in them such as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) adding another plastic chemical component. Having water-repellent paint may sound appealing, but it is actually causing more problems to your living space and the environment. Latex or acrylic are not breathable materials and over time the moisture in the air gets trapped and this compromises the integrity of the paint, plaster, and sheetrock underneath. Have you ever seen old paint bubble from water damage or peel from being too dry? Latex can actually feed mold and mildew, allowing them to grow and thrive. Think of your walls as being coated in shrink wrap, that is what it is like with a synthetic paint. Latex paints are not made to last as long either. Research is also finding that these plastics in paint make up more than half of all microplastics in our oceans and waterways every year.
So what’s different about mineral paints?
There are a multitude of health and environmental benefits to using mineral paints. To start, they are free of VOCs, APEs, and all kinds of plastics. They’re 100% mineral based derived directly from the earth. Made from potassium silicates, mineral paint micro-crystallizes onto your walls creating an extremely durable finish. Mineral paint is breathable, allows for moisture to move through the walls and dry out without getting trapped. And it will continuously absorb CO2 cleaning your air for years to come. Mineral paints are hypo-allergenic and they are mold and mildew resistant too. A huge plus is that mineral paints are incombustible making them a much safer option in the event of a fire. Mineral paints are also tintable in a myriad of colors, either using mineral tints from the factory or here at Originate we use zero-VOC synthetic tints.
They are not only healthy, they are beautiful and durable. Mineral paints can be applied to almost any interior or exterior wall surface and create a unique aesthetic. The silicate crystal structure refracts light instead of reflecting a glare like latex paints. The softer finish spreads light around a room more evenly creating a beautiful, luminous quality. Most mineral paints are a matte finish. Roma Bio offers an Eggshell and a Satin finish, but it still looks fairly matte because there is hardly any resin in the paint. Eggshell and Satin finishes pass the ketchup and mustard tests for cleanability. There are several brands of mineral paints, but at Originate you will find RomaBio mineral paints.
Another fun fact is that mineral paints have been around since 1878, whereas acrylic paints were invented in 1934 and then were not used in households till the 1940’s. Acrylic paints are produced with petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels. Mineral paints are also more durable because they penetrate into porous surfaces, unlike acrylic paints that coat a wall surface. You may not be able to remove acrylic paints completely from every application, but looking for a healthier option when possible is the best choice.