Hey everyone! 
I’ve been diving deep into the world of eco-friendly home renovations, and I’ve hit a bit of a crossroads. I’m currently repainting my living room and I’m torn between sticking with the natural paints I’ve grown to love or giving synthetic paints another shot, especially since I’ve heard some brands have improved their environmental footprint.
Last year, I used Earthborn Claypaint for my bedroom, and I was blown away by its coverage and the fact that it’s VOC-free, making it a breath of fresh air—literally. The application was smooth, and it adhered beautifully to my plaster walls. However, I’ve been curious about Benjamin Moore’s Natura line, which claims to be zero-VOC and has a wide range of colors. I’m wondering if anyone has experience with both types and can share insights on durability, ease of application, and, most importantly, their environmental impact.
I’m particularly interested in how these paints perform on different surfaces. My living room has a mix of plaster and wood paneling, and I want to ensure whatever I choose is versatile. Also, how do these options fare in terms of sustainability? I’m trying to minimize my carbon footprint, so any info on the manufacturing process, packaging, and disposal would be super helpful.
Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Have you found a natural or synthetic paint that ticks all the boxes for you? Let’s discuss and help each other make more informed, eco-conscious choices for our homes. 
Hey @EcoPainterJane, great topic! I’ve been using Earthborn Claypaint for a couple of years now and absolutely love it. The fact that it’s VOC-free is a huge plus for me, especially since I have allergies. I’ve used it on both plaster and wood surfaces, and it’s performed beautifully. The coverage is excellent, and it dries to a really nice, matte finish. I haven’t tried Benjamin Moore’s Natura, but I’m curious to hear if anyone has compared the two in terms of environmental impact.
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I’ve used both Earthborn Claypaint and Benjamin Moore’s Natura, and while I love the eco-friendly aspect of Earthborn, I found Natura to be a bit more durable, especially in high-traffic areas. The color selection is also broader with Natura, which was a big plus for me. However, I’m not entirely sure about the environmental footprint of Natura’s manufacturing process. Does anyone have more info on that?
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@DIYQueen, I did some digging on Benjamin Moore’s Natura and found that while they are zero-VOC, their manufacturing process is not as transparent as I’d like. They do have some initiatives to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency, but it’s hard to find detailed info. In contrast, Earthborn is very open about their processes and sources materials locally when possible, which I think makes a big difference in their overall environmental impact.
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I’m all for minimizing our carbon footprint, but I also think we need to consider the longevity of the paint. If a synthetic paint lasts longer, it might actually be more eco-friendly in the long run because you won’t need to repaint as often. Has anyone done a comparison on how often you need to repaint with natural vs. synthetic paints?
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@PaintLover99, that’s a really good point! I hadn’t considered the repainting aspect. From my experience, Earthborn Claypaint has held up really well over the past year, but I’m not sure how it compares to synthetic options over a longer period. Does anyone have long-term experience with either type of paint?
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I’ve been using natural paints for over five years now, and I’ve found that while they might require a bit more maintenance, the environmental benefits far outweigh the extra effort. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about knowing you’re not contributing to harmful emissions. I haven’t tried Benjamin Moore’s Natura, but I’m a big fan of Auro natural paints. They’re a bit pricier, but the quality and eco-friendliness are top-notch.
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@NatureLover56, I’ve heard great things about Auro! What surfaces have you used it on, and how has it held up over time? I’m especially curious about its performance on wood paneling.
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I’ve been on the fence about this too. I used Benjamin Moore’s Natura in my kitchen last spring, and while the zero-VOC claim is great, I found the color faded a bit faster than I expected, especially in areas that get a lot of sunlight. Has anyone else noticed this with synthetic paints?
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Interesting point about the fading. I haven’t tried Benjamin Moore’s Natura, but I did use Earthborn Claypaint in my sunroom. It’s been over a year, and the color still looks as vibrant as the day I painted it. Maybe the natural pigments have something to do with it?
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I think the key difference might be in the ingredients. Natural paints like Earthborn Claypaint use minerals and clays, which could be more resistant to UV light. Synthetic paints, even the eco-friendly ones, might still use some chemicals that break down faster under sunlight. Just a thought.
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Has anyone considered the packaging and disposal aspect? I know Earthborn Claypaint comes in recyclable tins, but what about Benjamin Moore’s Natura? I’m trying to reduce waste as much as possible, so this is a big factor for me.
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I looked into Benjamin Moore’s Natura packaging, and it seems they use plastic containers, which are recyclable but not as eco-friendly as metal tins. It’s a bit of a trade-off, but I guess it depends on what’s more important to you, the paint’s performance or the packaging.
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This discussion got me thinking about the manufacturing process. Does anyone know if Earthborn Claypaint or Benjamin Moore’s Natura use renewable energy in their production? I’m trying to support brands that are not just eco-friendly in their products but also in their operations.
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That’s a really good point about longevity. I’ve used both types in my home, and from my experience, synthetic paints do tend to last longer. My living room, painted with a synthetic zero-VOC paint, still looks fresh after 5 years, whereas the natural paint in my kitchen started to show wear after about 3. But, I think it also depends on the room’s usage. High traffic areas might benefit more from the durability of synthetic paints.
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I’ve been on the natural paint bandwagon for a while, but I’m starting to reconsider after reading about the advancements in synthetic paints. The environmental impact of producing and disposing of paint is something I hadn’t fully considered before. If synthetic paints can reduce the frequency of repaints and still be eco-friendly in terms of VOCs and packaging, it might be worth the switch. Has anyone looked into the lifecycle analysis of these paints?
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I’ve been on the fence about this too. I used Benjamin Moore’s Natura for my kitchen and was pretty impressed. The color stayed vibrant, and it was easy to clean. But I do wonder about the long-term environmental impact compared to natural paints. Has anyone done a deep dive into the lifecycle analysis of these paints?
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I switched to natural paints a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back. The difference in air quality is noticeable, especially for someone like me with allergies. I used Earthborn Claypaint in my home office, and it’s held up really well. I’m curious, though, about how these paints perform in high-humidity areas like bathrooms. Anyone have experience with that?
I think the key is finding a balance. I’ve used both natural and synthetic paints, and each has its place. For high-traffic areas, I lean towards synthetic for durability, but for bedrooms and living spaces, I prefer natural paints for their eco-friendliness and air quality benefits. It’s all about weighing the pros and cons for each specific situation.
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I’m all for minimizing our carbon footprint, but I also have to consider budget. Natural paints can be quite pricey, and while I love the idea of using them throughout my home, it’s not always feasible. I’ve found that mixing and matching based on the room’s use and exposure to elements works best for me. Does anyone else do this, or do you stick to one type throughout?