Non-Toxic & 0-VOC Paints from Sherwin-Williams (Interior Lines)

When choosing a Sherwin-Williams paint line first consider where it falls in the quality range, the VOC level, and additional features like is it washable.

Also note, not all paint lines can be tinted to all colors and not all can be mixed with custom colors.

All of their colorants are 0-VOC so they don’t add additional VOCs to the base level.

Sherwin-Williams also has more paint lines with added antimicrobials compared to other brands.

I don’t know which antimicrobials they add for this feature. (We have to say “added” because all latex paints have antimicrobials as the preservative in very small amounts).

Most Sherwin Williams lines are free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), however, the company will not list out the full list of which ones are free of APEs after a number of calls and emails. The ones we know are free of APEs are listed in the article.

It’s not clear if Sherwin Williams uses PFAS in their paint.

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1. Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology

The zero-VOC interior acrylic paint line, SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology, can reduce VOCs in the home, says the company.

This replaces Sherwin-Williams Harmony which was discontinued at the end of 2021.

What’s in SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology

Based on a patent by this company, it could be that their air-purifying paints contain sodium bicarbonate, zeolite, activated carbon, or cyclodextrin as an odor-absorbing agent. 

The patent also describes possible odor-neutralizing agents like undecylenic acid, undecylenate silicone esters, chloramine-T, and zinc ricinoleate.

They mention that the paint can contain nano-titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or anatase titanium dioxide, which are capable of degrading odors in the presence of UV light. (Note that the white pigment in all paint is titanium dioxide). This process works in theory with some indirect sunlight or light through a window, but this photocatalytic process of breaking down VOCs works best when the sun hits titanium dioxide directly, unobstructed, says Dr. Steven S.C. Chuang who holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.

They also list a possible fragrance added. 

It does have a mildewcide/preservative which is not disclosed.

Note that the patent isn’t proof that that is what is in the paint, but only a possibility. Also, it’s likely the paint would contain just one chemical from each of those groups.

Looking for something similar? ECOS Paint also has an air purifying paint which provides a Declare Label of ingredients. The active ingredients of this 0-VOC acrylic paint are zeolite, non-nano titanium dioxide, and vanillin.

Specs

• Zero-VOC, and like all their lines, no additional VOCs are added when it’s tinted
• Available in flat, satin, and semi-gloss finishes
• Available in a wide variety of colors, not all colors because it doesn’t come in ultra-deep base, and custom tints
• Antimicrobials added
• GreenGuard Gold
• Free of APEs
• Quality – middle of the road, same quality as regular SuperPaint line
• Cost (based on their website at the time of writing) List Price: $75.49, Sale Price: $45.29

2. Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint (Interior)

This inter acrylic latex is a low-VOC option at 17g/l with a middle-of-the-road quality The company says “This interior paint and primer in one applies easily, dries quickly, and offers great hide to make color changes easy. In addition to its smooth appearance, SuperPaint coating creates a lasting finish and a surface that holds up to scrubbing”.

Specs

• Low-VOC (17 g/l) and colorants don’t add extra VOCs
• Available in flat, satin, velvet, and semi-gloss sheens
• Available in all colors and custom colors
• No added antimicrobials
• Free of APEs
• Quality – middle of the line, good scrubability
• Cost (based on their website at the time of writing) List Price: $69.99, Sale Price: $41.99

Get peel-and-stick samples of Sherwin-Williams colors made with real paint here!

3. Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200

This zero-VOC interior latex paint is the higher grade of the two contractor-grade paint lines. Contractor grade means it’s generally used in apartment buildings where they re-paint after every tenant. It’s only available through professionals since it’s not meant to be used in regular homes. It is 0-VOC and it does come in every color.

Specs

• Zero-VOC
• Available in flat, low gloss eg-shel, low sheen eg-shel, eg-shel, semi-gloss, and gloss
• Available in all colors, can’t customize color
• Antimicrobials added
• LEED, MPI, Greenguard Gold, Environmental Institute (GEI)
• Quality – contractor grade – a bit more watery and lower grade than SuperPaint, but better than 400
• Cost – List Price: $82.99 is the pro price, based on the website, at the time of writing

4. Sherwin-Williams ProMar 400

ProMar 400 Zero VOC Interior Latex Paint is their lowest-grade contractor paint. This means it’s usually used in apartment buildings where they expect to repaint after every tenant. It has good hide and ability to touch up, plus it’s zero VOC.

• Zero-VOC
• Available in flat, low sheen, eg-shel, and semi-gloss
• Available in a wide range of colors (not all colors), can’t customize color
• No added antimicrobials
• LEED, GreenGuard Gold
• Quality – Lowest quality paint line, ideal for commercial, specifiers, property managers and new residential builders.
• Cost – List Price: $74.29 is the pro price, based on the website at the time of writing.

5. Sherwin-Williams Emerald

This is Sherwin-Williams’ top-of-the-line paint along with Duration (which is more for kitchens and bathrooms).

It’s a zero-VOC acrylic latex that offers exceptional washability and coverage with a formula that hides dark colors, resists water streaking, and helps prevent stains from penetrating. It holds color the longest on the wall (more resistant to fading), good chip resistant, self-levels. It’s their most wipable paint.

• Zero-VOC
• Available in flat, matte, satin, and semi-gloss sheens
• Available in all colors and custom tints
• Antimicrobials added
• Free of APEs
• GreenGuard Gold
• Highest quality paint line with exceptional hide, coverage, durability, and washability. Advanced stain-blocking technology, exceptional scrub, water spotting, and burnish resistance. High hiding accent base boosts hiding power and delivers truer colors (matte & satin finishes).
• Cost – (based on their website at the time of writing) List Price: $85.49 Sale Price: $51.29 

6. Sherwin-Williams Duration

This is another of their top-of-the-line paints but this one is more geared toward kitchens, bathrooms and playrooms. It’s got added antimicrobials, and advanced stain-blocking technology which helps hide old stains and allows most new ones to be wiped clean with water. This is for high-traffic areas or areas that need to be wiped down in residential and commercial spaces. It’s good in high humidity.

• Zero-VOC
• Available in flat, matte, satin, semi-gloss
• Available in all colors and custom tints
• Antimicrobials added
• Quality – top-of-the-line
• Cost – List Price: $80.49

7. Sherwin-Williams Cashmere

What’s unique about this line is that it has a silky buttery appearance. The low-stipple appearance looks good from all angles. It has outstanding coverage and hide that you would expect in a high-quality paint. It’s scrubbable for easy cleaning and maintenance. Ideal for residential spaces (not commercial) since it’s a little lower in quality than Emerald and Duration.

• Low-VOC at 12g/l
• Available in flat, pearl, eg-shel
• Available in a wide range of colors
• No Antimicrobials added
• Quality – higher quality but just under Emerald and Duration
• Cost – List Price: $69.99

Other zero-VOC lines: Sherwin-Williams EcoSelect has been discontinued.

Where to Buy Sherwin-Williams Paint & Samples

You can buy their paint at Sherwin-Williams paint stores and online through their website.

Samples: They do sell peel-and-stick and color card samples. Get your peel-and-stick samples made with real paint here. You can stick them to the wall or tape them and move them around.

There are also quart-sized “color to go” samples, this paint is to see the color not to test out individual paint lines. The paint itself is lower quality than SuperPaint, but better than Promar 200. You can get them online and in-store.

Want to compare Sherwin-Williams to other non-toxic (0-VOC) paint brands? This article compares brands.

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.