I recently built a table that I'm unable to move out of my basement, and I want to apply some paint or finish to it. However, I'm concerned about the safety of using stains and paints because of the toxic fumes they emit. My basement doesn't have a window to ventilate, so I'm wondering if there are still options available for finishing the table. Are there any safe brands or products that I can use in this scenario, or will I have to leave the wood unfinished?
3 Answers
Given your lack of ventilation, sticking with water-based products is definitely your best move. They produce way fewer fumes, making them much safer for indoor use, especially in a closed space like your basement.
If you can't really ventilate the space, I highly recommend using low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) water-based finishes. There are plenty of great options out there based on the look you want! Brands like Sherwin Williams offer Emerald Urethane and Benjamin Moore has Advance for paints. For polyurethanes and water-based stains, you could check out General Finishes High Performance. If you're interested in hardwax oils, Osmo and Rubio are solid choices.
I'd use water-based polyurethane for the best durability, and if you're aiming for a solid color, try latex paint. They’re both good choices for your situation!