What are the new trends in paint people ask. Well, this year is seeing more color instead of the beige, muted warm yellows and light browns. Green, fushia, cool ice blues are accenting the neutrals at least in a small way, as for example, just one section of a wall. But the green awareness movement is driving the change to lower levels of VOC's or volatile organic compounds. All paints use VOC's to make the paint easier to apply, to coat and stick and to inhibit freezing. Yet the gases emitted into the atmosphere as gases have impacts on the greenhouse effect. See the Environment Canada website for information on VOC's.

Canadian standards are still in the development process and we can only expect to see more stringent application of these requirements in the future because of public awareness and acceptance of green awareness initiates. And indeed these are questions which should be asked when deciding upon what paint products to apply. Don't forget to ask us about our environmental products knowledge when requesting a quotation.

Lighter paints containing less pigment have low or zero VOC's. Some brands with lower ratios contain as little as 150 grams of VOC's per litre. And don't expect to see cheaper paints with higher ratios either. Look for a particular label like Sico which has a Green Seal-certified line with richly hued tones by the names of Cashmere, Chamois and Shantung. This year Rona carries this line for $48.00 per gallong. Check out the colors in the store or ask us for our samples. The new carries Olympic paints with absolutely no VOC's. Ask for the premium interior Flat Enamel which is also Green Seal certified and contains a huge colour selections of 1,200 colors and price range of 42.95 a gallon. We will match the paint to your color swatches if you have a patch. General Paint's line of Z-coat acrylic latex sells for about $41.00 a gallon for interior applications in semi-gloss and eggshell finish. And finally, Benjamin Moore's, Aura uses VOC free colorant, contains less that 50 grams of VOC and sells at 65.00 per gallon.

For more on this topic see: Environmental certifications standards at greenseal.org and Eco Logo.

Boomerang Paints will begin collecting old paint to recycle in 2008. Look for it at local retailers.