Paint for floors is notoriously higher in VOCs than wall paints.
These three paint options for wood and concrete floors are durable enough to withstand daily traffic and yet are low and zero-VOC formulations.
These are all water-based options. All three options on this list are excellent in terms of both indoor air quality impact and overall quality. The brands are all highly respected.
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1. ECOS Paints Floor Paint is formulated for wood and concrete floors. If you want a paint for wooden floors this is the top pick.
Their Porch & Floor Paint, which is more durable, is made for exterior and interior concrete floors (not wood!)
I really like ECOS Paints and it’s always the top pick for chemically sensitive folks. I’ve sampled or used most of their products including these two, and they are the best in the acrylic paint category in my opinion.
Their paints are all zero-VOC and of good quality.
Buy through the ECOS website.
2. AFM Safecoat Concrete Floor Paint – This is an acrylic paint with PVA. It’s mostly used on concrete floors, but there are some conditions in which you can use it on wood. Be sure to talk to the Green Design Center folks about that.
AFM is another favorite brand amongst the chemically sensitive that has been around for a long time.
This is a low VOC formula.
Buy through Green Design Center.
3. Farrow and Ball makes a floor primer. Their Modern Eggshell line is then used on top of that. This works on wood and concrete floors. You can find more info on substrate prep on their website.
Sone of Farrow and Ball paints and primers are VAE-based and some are acrylic-based which. VAE-based paints are much lower in fumes when wet.
Buy through the Farrow and Ball website.
4. Linseed Oil Paint is a durable paint that can be used on floors.
This is a mostly natural oil-based paint.
The binder is linseed oil and there are no solvents.
Brands that I have tested include Allback and Earth+Flax.
If you are looking for a list of all-natural floor finishes (that are not necessarily paint), I have a post on that topic.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Rachel Myers
Could any of these paints be used to paint over existing wall shower tiles that come down the wall to meet up with the tub? We are looking for a non-toxic paint to change the tile color.
Hannah Grace Landis
Can any of these paints be used for tile?
Corinne Segura
good question, it depends on what kind of tiles they are. Linseed oil paint can go over almost anything. Other paints will likely need a special primer first. You might also check out rustoleum HOME floor tile paint.
Toni Woodbury
Ecos Porch and Floor Paint is high gloss and that makes me think it could be slippery when wet. Can sand be added to this paint without compromising its durability? The company suggested I use their non-slip indoor concrete paint; they said it would be equally durable when used on a concrete screen-porch floor, but I have my doubts and fears. Any thoughts or experience with this?
Corinne
I don’t have any info on that beyond what the company can tell us.
Toni Woodbury
Thanks!
Laura
Hi Corinne,
Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. My husband would like to paint his garage floor with eproxy paint. I am highly sensitive to chemicals. Is there a non-toxic alternative that will last long?
Much appreciated
Corinne
check out the concrete sealer post, could do stain plus polished
Cheyenne
Hi there!
Thanks for you research. If ECOS paints contains the preservative Pyrithione (w/out zinc), is it safe for people and small pets to have dermal contact with it, like walking on it? It seems like you and others like ECOS the best so that’s the brand I’m leaning towards, but since I’m painting my concrete floor I’m concerned about the health effects it could have through dermal contact. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Cheyenne
Corinne
Yes that will be fine once it’s in solid form. SDS sheets for dermal contact will be referencing it wet. I don’t worry about the small preservatives that are in all paints but if you do want to get into the weeds, ECOS has the safest one. You might also consider linseed oil paint for a totally natural finish.
Alexey
Hello! I need durable floor paint, and can order only a few European brands (F&B ECOS etc – not available). Do you think Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Lacquer GlossMatt is toxic?
I need not toxic floor paint (durable too).
You have mentioned Annie Sloan’ Wax (not lacquer), quote: “I didn’t tolerate the wax by Annie Sloan as it was high in odor.”.
Wax is not as durable as Lacquer. And site recommends Lacquer over Wax for floor.
In the video https://www.anniesloan.com/techniques/how-to-use-chalk-paint-lacquer/ I see, quote:
“Although Chalk Paint™ Lacquer can feel touch dry within hours, it will take up to 2 weeks to reach its full hardness. Keep your furniture relatively protected until then”.
– I.e. potentially I need 2 weeks to not live in my room to fully dryingcuring?! I can leave my room for a few days.
I have checked SDS of Lacquer – in short, it is toxic,
quote:
->
Signal word – Warning
Hazard statements – H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Precautionary statements:
P102 Keep out of reach of children.
P261 Avoid breathing vapour/ spray.
P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
P280 Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face protection.
P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
P321 Specific treatment (see medical advice on this label).
P333+P313 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/ attention.
P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.
P501 Dispose of contents/ container in accordance with national regulations.
Biocide Labelling
Contains preservatives CMIT:MIT (3:1), MIT and BIT to prevent microbial deterioration.
Contains:
1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, Reaction mass of: 5-Chloro-2-
methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one [EC no. 247-500-7] and 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one [EC no.
220-239-6] (3:1)
2.3. Other hazards
This product does not contain any substances classified as PBT or vPvB.
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Corinne
I would not use Annie Sloan with a protective coating on the floor, look for a paint that does not require a top coat. Lakeland might have one, F&B is a European company, and the linseed oil paints can be found in Europe too.