Porter’s Paints Eggshell Finish gains sustainability certification

Eggshell finishes: in the world of paint, they are the goldilocks-like midway point between a satin and matte sheen – and like many happy equilibriums, they inherit the best of both worlds. If any paint type could be called ‘universal’, eggshell finishes would be the primary candidate.

For these reasons, eggshell finishes endure as one of the most popular choices – and this is the case for Porter’s Paints Eggshell Finish, a popular choice for those looking to create beautiful spaces with a soft and subtle look.

Porter's Paints' eggshell finish draws out the best aspects of a chosen colour, softly reflecting light. Perhaps most importantly it is ideal for many projects and creates an enviable finish, offering colours that are complex yet timeless.

Heather Goode, the Technical, Quality and Colour Services Manager at Porter's Paints (Porter’s Paints is one of the Dulux paint brands), says an eggshell finish is the ultimate all-rounder in a home, embodying versatility and quality aesthetics.

“Porter’s Paints’ Eggshell Finish gives walls a subtle, natural lustre,” says Heather. “It’s fully washable, it softens reflective light and glare, and our Eggshell Finish is very low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), meaning no nasty paint smells.”

This last point is a key differentiating factor for many paints. It can mean the difference between emitting odorous, potentially harmful compounds into the air while painting indoors, and leaving a room odourless and pleasant. And, Heather says, this is increasingly becoming a significant deciding factor for specifiers, designers, paint professionals and their clients.

“Consumers are looking for reputable, environmentally-conscious labels in their paint,” she says. “This includes factors like paint toxicity, material extraction, social and environmental compliance, end of life product stewardship, among many others.”

So how do you sort the sustainable, environmentally-conscious eggshell paints from the not-so-sustainable ones? One of the easiest, most efficient ways is to check whether the product is certified by an independent eco-label assessment scheme – like GreenTag.

Porter’s Paints’ range of eggshell paint recently achieved GreenTag’s GreenRate certification – a multi-criteria assessment that addresses toxicity, durability, water accounting, greenhouse gas accounting, material extraction, social and environmental compliance, end-of-life product stewardship and indoor air quality.

GreenRate is tiered from A, B and C, with A being the best possible rating – and in early 2023, Porter’s Paints earned that accreditation.

“To qualify for this rating, we needed to prove our high manufacturing standards; the composition of the paint including all ingredients; we needed to prove that all the suppliers for those ingredients were trading fairly and ethically, including any industrial disputes, their payment of a living wage, and a great many other things as well.”

Heather says that achieving the GreenStar A tier means Porter’s Paints Eggshell Finish is responsibly and ethically made to help protect the fragile needs of the earth’s ecosystems, and is certified as safer and healthier for people to use and live with.

“It’s ideal for environmentally-aware consumers who want peace of mind about the product they’re purchasing and using,” says Heather. “Architects, designers and builders also benefit, as the certification and Level A rating provides evidence to meet the GreenStar rating scheme credit requirements.”

She says GreenTag accreditation is an ideal way to let consumers know Porter’s Paints’ sustainability credentials.

“There’s a lot of greenwashing in the market,” she says. “Consumers can trust independent assessments, as opposed to companies giving their own stamp of approval – marking their own homework, in other words.

“We’re really pleased that Porter’s Paints’ eggshell range has met the standards of GreenTag.”

Learn more about Porters’ Paints and its range of products.