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Press Release
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Focus On Green: Paul Benson Painting & Blue Turtle Roofing 
Wednesday, September 03, 2008What is the first thing you notice when you've just finished painting a room? The smell of toxic paint. And when the temps are sizzling you might notice that you can't quite beat the heat indoors either. What if there was a way to cool the room without the expense of AC while you enjoy the new paint job without gagging on the fumes? There is a way to avoid the traditional twin toxins of painting and roofing here in Marin County. Welcome to Paul Benson Painting and Blue Turtle Roofing; the only Bay Area Green Certified paint and roofing business in the entire County!  Paul Benson walks in to introduce himself, and he's so tall, he could probably paint without a ladder. The longtime Marin resident started Paul Benson Painting 27 years ago, primarily for residential painting. He decided to go green about eight years ago, beginning first with the restoration process. Paul explains when the structure he was painting needed repair, rather than replace it with new material, he would try and restore it using salvaged materials. He began using spiral shank nails, which don't need replacing as much the cheaper, smooth variety. He chose to paint in low sheen finish, rather than the more common flat sheen because it doesn't hold up as well. And about five years ago, he started using low VOC (volatile organic compound) or non-toxic based paint as soon as it became available.Paul's office reflects his laid-back Marin aesthetic. It's decorated with Buddhas, Sanskrit-style wall hangings, plants, ceramics and other colorful items. Paul extends his relaxed style to his approximately 30 employees. They are allowed to take as much vacation time as they need, instead of being limited to the traditional two or three weeks most U.S. workers enjoy. He says his employees are more productive if they are given the time off they need. That generous vacation policy combined with a non-toxic working environment, results in a low employee turnover rate according to Paul. But he didn't stop there.  Often when someone needs an exterior paint job, they may also need to replace their roof- usually an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. A typical composite shingle roof- common in California- needs replacement about every 10 to 12 years. And the typical roof isn't very energy-efficient in our sunny, Bay Area climate. Paul began to develop something called "cool roofs", or roofing that would reflect the sun's heat and keep temps down inside the home. He uses a process of sealing and painting that results in a longer-lasting, totally non-toxic roof, without shingles. First he'll apply the sealant, a non-toxic, stretchy waterproof coating that is sprayed on. Then he'll apply the top coat; a zero-VOC elasticized paint which- depending on the color tint- can reflect up to 90% of the sun's heat. His wife came up with the company name; Blue Turtle Roofing. The Harmony Public School District, which sits on 50 acres of land in Occidental, has embraced the green concept. Students from the single elementary and  middle school there, have built and maintained a nature trail and help manage the distinct eco-systems within the acreage including a coastal creek, a redwood forest and perennial wetlands. The newest project at the district, is the Salmon Creek Falls Environmental Center, which is being built as a LEED (Leaders In Energy Environmental Design) building. The Center will house the school cafeteria (serving organic food-natch), a classroom for ecological study and office and meeting space for local watershed groups. Guess who's putting on the roof? =======================================================  Details For the Paul Benson Painting look here and Blue Turtle Roofing look here. Look here to see a complete listing of Bay Area Green Certified Businesses. Gary Tobin Principal TOBIN & Associates www.garytobin.com 415-256-9490 |