Welcome to PAINTED EARTH a small business based in rural Byron Bay northern NSW, selling a large range of non-toxic, environmentally responsible house paints and wood finishes.

Sourced from seven different companies, Bio, Livos, Volvox, Oikos, Cooee, Enviropro and Phoenix, our range includes paints and finishes made from natural ingredients such as plant based paint, clay paint and natural wood oils and varnishes, through to high quality synthetic paints and wood finishes which are water-based, zero or low VOC, and non-toxic. The choice between a natural or low VOC acrylic paint is yours. Natural paints and finishes are on the whole more environmentally friendly than synthetic ones; whilst synthetic ones are generally more durable and a little cheaper. All products sold here are non-toxic and eco friendly and give good quality results when used as directed.

You will find interior and exterior wall paints, water-based enamel paint, wood oils, wood varnish, woodstains, wood waxes, floor finishes, furniture finishes and decking treatments. There are several choices in each category on the right, ranging from natural finishes through to eco-friendly synthetic ones. For each product we provide a clear description, usage rate, colour options, and a price comparison to help you choose. For extra help or advice beyond this please phone Deb on 02 6680 5729.

You can purchase online at the end of each product description or by phoning Deb as above. All prices are recommended retail prices, and delivery charges are kept to a minimum to make these products available to you Australia wide. Allow 3 - 7 days depending on your distance from our base in Byron Bay, NSW, for your goods to arrive. Over time we will be linking with other distributors around Australia so that your product can come direct from the closest source to you.

How it works contains our purchasing and delivery policies, and Monthly specials contains bargins on eco friendly paints and finishes.

Why choose eco friendly?

The air we breath and the environment we live in contribute to our health and wellbeing. Paints and finishes can give off fumes for up to five years after their application. Eco friendly paints and finishes ensure these emissions are not hazardous to the painter, the inhabitants, or our environment.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the gases emitted from paints or finishes containing chlorinated or hydrocarbon (organic) solvents. These are chemical fumes which are potentially harmful for people and the environment such as Xylene, Styrene, Toluene, Benzenes, Isocyanate and Trichlorethylen. Common symptoms of toxic exposure to solvents can include nausea, dizziness, headaches, asthma, irritation of mucous membranes and fatigue. Long-term heavy exposure for painters can also result in nerve damage, immune impairment, reproductive disorders and cancer. VOCs are also a major contributor to outdoor air pollution or smog. For further reading on VOC's see theWikepedia website

Heavy metals and other toxic chemicals are also often used in the manufacture of paints and finishes, or their colouring tints. These include chrome, mercury, cadmium, formaldehyde, preservatives, driers, fungicides and odour suppressants. A paint can be labelled zero or low VOC and still contain many of these other toxic chemicals because some VOC ratings only refer to compounds that contribute to external air pollution by the formation of low level ozone (smog), and not to other compounds that can be Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP's) or toxic substances. PAINTED EARTH has chosen the Oikos range of low VOC acrylic paints and finishes because not only their paints but also their tints are guaranteed non-toxic and solvent free.

The combined effect of VOCs, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals in paints and finishes is a major contributor to poor indoor air quality, known as "sick building syndrome" and also to toxic pollution of our atmosphere, waterways and environment.

PAINTED EARTH has chosen products which will not compromise your health or the health of our environment and yet still provide you with a professional finish. All paints and finishes are free of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals and have zero or very low VOC content. The result is cleaner air, peace of mind, no offensive odours, no downtime for commercial premises and a healthier lifestyle for you and our planet.

A word about quality and price

Is your time and effort valuable? If so, the quality of the product you use is important.

Some of the paints listed here cost a little more than paints from a hardware store. This is partly because they are made with more expensive natural and non-toxic ingredients and partly because they are high quality paints and finishes. A good quality house paint or wood finish will have durability, aesthetic appearance and ease of application. A good quality paint or finish will save you time and labour by requiring fewer coats, being easier to use, or lasting longer.

The cost of each paint or finish per square metre, is included in our descriptions so you can choose according to a budget. If comparing prices with hardware store paints it's important to compare the coverage rate (sq.m/L) as well as the number of coats that will be needed. For example paints from the superb Oikos range have an extremely high coverage rate of up to 30 sq.m/L which is twice that of regular paints, because the 20 - 40% water content is added after you receive the paint. All paints sold here have good hiding power and usually require only two coats to provide a professional finish, thus saving on labour and product.

PAINTED EARTH has chosen only high quality products because we want you to enjoy your experience and come back for more.

Welcome to Painted Earth