What Are We Really Painting Over?

How to Consciously Navigate Lead Paint and VOCs in Home Renovation

When you’re repainting the inside of a home—especially an older one—it’s easy to focus on color, sheen, and finish. But what we’re really doing is layering choices on top of history. And sometimes, that history includes lead-based paint.

Many homes built before 1978 were painted with lead-based products. Over time, layers of paint, primer, and patchwork might cover it up, but that doesn’t make it go away. And when we go to “freshen up” a space, we’re often forced to ask a deeper question:

Are we improving the home’s health—or quietly making it worse?

Let’s walk through the reality of repainting consciously in older homes.

⚠️ The Hidden Problem: Lead + VOCs

When we paint over lead-based paint with standard, off-the-shelf interior paint, we’re often solving one problem while making another worse.

Lead-based paint poses risks when it deteriorates (chipping, cracking, sanding)
Many conventional paints release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that off-gas into the air, affecting indoor air quality for days, weeks, or longer

So the typical “quick fix”—just painting over it—might contain the lead dust but adds indoor air pollution in the process. Not exactly an upgrade.

So What Should You Do?

OPTION 1: Remove the Lead-Based Paint

Removing lead-based paint is the most thorough solution—but it’s not DIY-friendly.

Lead paint abatement must be done by certified professionals, following EPA and HUD guidelines. They use methods like:

Wet scraping or chemical stripping
Encapsulation (using special sealants designed for lead)
Replacing lead-coated surfaces entirely

Cost: Professional abatement typically ranges from $8,000–$15,000 for a whole home, depending on size and severity. It’s expensive—but it’s a long-term solution, especially in homes where paint is already deteriorating.

✅ Best for: Flips, gut rehabs, or homes where the lead risk is significant (especially with kids or elderly residents)

OPTION 2: Paint Over with No- or Low-VOC Paint

If the lead-based paint is stable (not peeling or chipping), the EPA allows you to encapsulate it by painting over it—safely and consciously.

But here’s the key:
Don’t just grab any paint. Use zero- or low-VOC products to avoid adding harmful chemicals to your air.

Recommended brands:

ECOS Paints (zero-VOC and certified non-toxic)
Benjamin Moore Natura or Eco Spec
Sherwin-Williams Harmony

This is the easiest and most cost-effective option if abatement isn’t feasible.

✅ Best for: Budget-conscious updates, rentals, or homes where the paint is in good condition

But Isn’t Painting Over Lead Still Dangerous?

Not necessarily.
If the paint is in good shape, and you:

Avoid sanding
Don’t disturb the surface during prep
Use a proper primer and high-quality VOC-free topcoat
You can create a stable, sealed surface that’s safe and significantly healthier than using conventional paint.

Bottom Line: Be Intentional, Not Afraid

You don’t need to fear old walls—but you do need to understand them. As eco-conscious remodelers, we have a responsibility to do better than just cover up. That means asking the right questions, using the safest materials, and taking action based on both health and budget.

If you can remove the lead, great. If you can’t, then seal it right—with the cleanest, lowest-impact paint possible.

Thoughtfully remaking homes for people and the planet,
Jake

Lead Paint and VOCs: Which is Worse?