How to choose a good interior paint color should not only consider beautiful shades that please the eye but also take into account 7 important factors: health safety, paint odor, washability, durability, air-purifying properties, price and value for money, and ease of use. Paint that meets all these criteria is often ultra-premium grade (Ultra Premium Grade), the highest quality grade in the market. This is because interior walls are surfaces that everyone in the home touches and breathes in every day. Therefore, good interior paint must care for both the beauty and health of the residents simultaneously.
Why is interior paint related to the health of people in the home?
Interior paint affects health in two ways: through airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and germs that accumulate on walls. Many people think that paint only serves to enhance beauty, but in reality, some common types of paint release VOCs such as formaldehyde, which can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, and asthma. At the same time, the walls of the house are also places where viruses, bacteria, and mold can accumulate without us seeing it.
For this reason, international building standards such as LEED v4.1 and WELL Building Standard v2 have strict regulations regarding the VOC emissions of building materials (referenced: U.S. Green Building Council and International WELL Building Institute). Choosing interior paint for health is therefore not just a matter of feeling but is supported by international standards that can be verified. Learn more at What are VOCs? Understanding volatile compounds in house paint and their health impacts.
What is ultra-premium grade interior paint? How does it differ from other grades?
Interior paint in the market is divided into 4 main quality grades: Economy, Standard, Premium, and Ultra Premium. The ultra-premium grade is the highest quality. The main differences lie in the quality and quantity of resin and paint material, which directly affect the longevity of the paint film, washability, and additional special properties.
What clearly sets ultra-premium grade apart from lower grades is that it is the only grade that often combines health and innovation properties all in one can, including Low VOCs, low odor, air purification, germ inhibition, and durability of 15 years or more. Meanwhile, the economy and standard grades primarily focus on cost-effectiveness, making them suitable for short-term rental projects, while for long-term residential homes, ultra-premium grade offers the lowest annual cost when considering the entire lifespan of the paint. BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion is classified as ultra-premium grade paint (Ultra Premium Grade) according to Beyer’s grading system.
7 key factors to consider before deciding to buy interior paint
The following 7 key points are arranged according to what modern consumers prioritize and can be used as a simple checklist before making a purchase decision.
1. Safety and health: Check for certifications, not just advertising claims.
Safe interior paint must be proven by test results from independent institutions, not just statements on labels. Key points to check are:
- Free from mercury and lead.
- Certified Low VOCs according to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) standards, USA.
- Passed dermatological irritation tests (Dermatologically Tested).
- If you want germ-inhibiting properties, look for test results that specify the type of germ, percentage of inhibition, and the name of the testing institution clearly.
Real test examples: BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion paint has been tested to inhibit the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) by 99.98% from BIOSCIENCE LABORATORIES, LLC in the United States, inhibits the human coronavirus strain NL63 by 99% from the Virology Institute in England, inhibits the H1N1 influenza virus and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) virus by Airmid in Ireland, and kills bacteria by up to 99.99% according to test results from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University. Read more about how volatile substances from regular paint affect health without us realizing it.
2. Mild odor: The simplest indicator of volatile substance levels.
Paint with a strong odor is often associated with a high level of volatile substances. Families with young children, the elderly, or allergy sufferers should choose low-odor water-based interior paint that specifies Low Odour and has low formaldehyde levels. The practical advantage is getting “move-in ready paint” without having to leave the house for several days while painting — newer low-odor paints like BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion can be occupied within 5 minutes after the paint film is completely dry. This trend is becoming increasingly clear, becoming the main reason modern home builders choose Low VOC paints over regular paints.
3. Washability: How long can beautiful walls last? Measured by “scrub cycles.”
The measure of washability for interior paint is the number of scrub cycles that the paint film can withstand without peeling. Regular interior paint is difficult to clean stains and the paint film chips easily, while ultra-premium grade paint withstands more than 450,000 scrub cycles (test results by Beger Laboratory, March 2021). Homes with children drawing on the walls or pets can save significantly on repainting costs with this criterion.
4. Durability: The longer the paint film lasts, the lower the annual cost.
Good ultra-premium interior paint should have a lifespan of over 15 years. The durability of the paint film depends on the quality of the resin and paint material, which is reflected in the price per bucket. However, looking at “lifespan” instead of “price per bucket” reveals the true value. (See comparison table below)
5. Air purification: A new feature where walls work instead of air purifiers.
Some interior paint models can purify the air 24 hours a day using photocatalyst principles, which is the property of titanium dioxide in the paint film that reacts with light energy, whether from sunlight or light bulbs, to break down pollutants and harmful volatile substances in the air, such as formaldehyde emitted from furniture. This property can be tested according to the JC/T 1074-2008 standard (Purificatory performance test method of coatings on air purification) and helps improve indoor air quality in an era where PM 2.5 dust forces us to stay indoors more.
6. Price and value: Calculated from area, lifespan, and what doesn’t need to be purchased additionally.
The value of interior paint must be calculated from three variables: coverage rate, lifespan, and additional properties that replace other expenses. Ultra-premium paint has a coverage rate of about 31–38 square meters per gallon per coat. If the lifespan is long at 15 years compared to cheaper paint that needs to be repainted every 4–5 years, the total cost over the lifespan (including labor) is often lower, and the air purification and germ inhibition properties provide added value without needing to pay extra for separate equipment.
7. Ease of use: A complete paint system that applies quickly and dries fast.
Convenient interior paint should be applicable with brushes, rollers, and sprayers, mixed with clean water at only 5–10%, touch dry within 30 minutes, and can be recoated in 2–4 hours, allowing one room to be completed in a single day. A good paint system should have primer and topcoat in the same system (e.g., one coat of primer and 2–3 coats of topcoat) for adhesion and paint film longevity as guaranteed by the manufacturer.
What is Gold Ion technology? How does it inhibit viruses on walls?
Gold Ion is a spherical particle of pure gold mineral, sized at 20 nanometers, which is four times smaller than the size of a virus. It was developed for use in interior paint as the first and only one in Thailand by Beger. The mechanism of action is divided into three steps. Penetrate through the cell wall and lipid layer of the virus. Destroy genetic material (RNA) at the core of the virus, and decompose making the virus weak and eventually die
The point that makes Gold Ion different from traditional disinfectant technology is that gold mineral particles are more stable than silver ion (Silver Ion) and copper ion (Copper Ion), and they withstand environmental conditions better, thus maintaining their effectiveness in inhibiting pathogens throughout the lifespan of the paint film. It covers both enveloped viruses (SARS-CoV-2, NL63, H1N1), non-enveloped viruses (HFMD hand, foot, and mouth disease), and pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae. Read detailed information and view all certifications at Gold Ion technology.
Comparison of general interior paint vs health-conscious interior paint according to 7 essential points
| Criteria for purchasing | general interior paint | health-conscious interior paint BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion |
|---|---|---|
| Safety and health | No test results for pathogen inhibition | Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 by 99.98% (BIOSCIENCE, USA) and bacteria by 99.99% (Chulalongkorn University) |
| Odor | Strong odor requires ventilation for several days | Mild odor Low VOCs can be occupied within 5 minutes after the paint film dries |
| Wiping | Difficult to wipe stains, paint film peels off | Withstands scrubbing over 450,000 cycles, paint film does not peel off |
| Durability | Repaint every 4–5 years | Lifespan of over 15 years |
| Air purification |
None |
24-hour air purification with Photocatalyst reduces formaldehyde |
| Price and value |
Cheaper per can but needs frequent application |
More expensive per can but lower total cost over the lifespan |
| Ease of use | Depends on the model | Dry to the touch in 30 minutes, can be reapplied in 2–4 hours, covers 31–38 sq.m./gallon/trip |
Reference: theAsianparent Awards 2023 (Best Interior Paint results)
BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion is suitable for whom
This interior paint is most suitable for homes with vulnerable members, including families with young children, the elderly, allergy sufferers or asthmatics, and homes with pets. Therefore, it is a top choice for children’s bedrooms and elderly rooms, as well as places that require high hygiene standards, such as hospitals, clinics, daycare centers, schools, restaurants, and hotels. It has been practically used, for example, at Vibhavadi Hospital, which tested and compared the amount of germs on the walls (Swab Test measuring RLU values) between regular painted walls and walls painted with this product in November 2020, finding that the painted walls BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion had significantly lower accumulated germ levels.
Once the quality of the paint is selected, the next step is to choose the shade and application technique suitable for the room, such as painting techniques that make narrow rooms look wider, or if special attention is given to the environment, refer to the eco-friendly color selection guide suitable for Thailand’s climate.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Choosing Interior Paint (FAQ)
Q1: What should be the first consideration when choosing interior paint for homes with young children?
A1: Look for Low VOCs certification according to CDPH standards first, as volatile substances are triggers for allergies and asthma in children. Then check for mild odor properties, antimicrobial properties, and dermatologically tested results.
Q2: Does interior paint really inhibit viruses?
A2: Yes, it does, when supported by test results from independent institutions, such as the Gold Ion technology in BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion, which has been tested to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus by 99.98% by BIOSCIENCE LABORATORIES in the United States, and inhibit bacteria by 99.99% by the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University.
Q3: How do Gold Ion and Silver Ion differ?
A3: Gold Ion is a particle of pure gold mineral measuring 20 nanometers, which is more stable than silver ion (Silver Ion) and can withstand environmental conditions better, thus maintaining its effectiveness in inhibiting pathogens throughout the lifespan of the paint film. It is a unique technology in interior paint from Beger, the first and only in Thailand.
Q4: How many days do I have to wait after painting before I can move in?
A4: The low VOCs interior paint with a mild scent, such as BegerShield AirFresh Gold Ion, can be moved into within 5 minutes after the paint film is completely dry, unlike regular paints that often require several days of ventilation to dissipate strong odors.
Q5: Is it really worth it to spend more on premium grade interior paint?
A5: It is worth it when considering the total cost over its lifespan. Ultra-premium grade paint lasts more than 15 years and withstands over 450,000 scrubs, while cheaper paints often need to be reapplied every 4-5 years, incurring both paint and labor costs multiple times.
Q6: Which rooms should use antimicrobial interior paint the most?
A6: Children’s bedrooms, elderly rooms, kitchens, and living rooms where people spend time together, as well as public areas such as daycare centers, schools, clinics, and restaurants.
Conclusion
Choosing good interior paint starts with looking at the measurable criteria of 7 factors: safety and health, mild scent, washability, durability, air purification, value for money, and ease of use, rather than just focusing on color shades or price on the can. Paint that has certification from global institutes and proven technology like Gold Ion ensures that your home will be both beautiful and safe for everyone in the family for over 15 years.
