If you are considering building a new home or undertaking a major kitchen remodeling project, you may want to consider greener alternatives.
Cabinetry, for example, can be made up of a variety of materials, including plywood, adhesives and finishes, that contain high levels of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these products can lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as headaches, nausea and a host of other conditions.
Consumers interested in indoor air quality and sustainable products should know the origin of all cabinet materials, the types of finishes used and the location where the cabinets are manufactured.
The materials
Environmentally friendly cabinets start with boxes that are constructed using formaldehyde-free plywood.
One popular choice is Greensboro-based Columbia Forest Products’ PureBond hardwood plywood construction with nontoxic, soy-based resins.
Both sides of the plywood are maple-veneered and finished with a durable UV, low-VOC water-based lacquer. Other sources for environmentally friendly boxes include plywood made from wheat straw and high-pressure laminated veneers applied using low-VOC glues.
Additional information on PureBond plywood can be found online at www.columbiaforestproducts.com.
Cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be constructed from locally harvested hardwoods, managed forests or wood-veneered, medium-density fiberboard.
Wood veneers are very thin slices of wood that can be applied to a base door made from medium-density fiberboard. This gives the look and feel of wood without using an excessive amount of valuable hardwood in the cabinet door. Other popular sustainable woods include species such as bamboo and lyptus (from eucalyptus).
The finish
Cabinet finishes can be the most challenging component of environmentally friendly cabinetry. Low-VOC finishes often take quite a bit of extra work to apply and require a skill set different from that needed for solvent-based finishes. And a water-based formula does not necessarily mean a low-VOC product.
There also are greener options for the adhesives and edge banding materials used in cabinetry.
Adhesives are now available in low-VOC or no-VOC formulas. The edge band covers the cut edges of the plywood on the boxes, doors and drawers. Many cabinet manufacturers use edge banding materials that contain polyvinyl chloride. The greener option would include edge banding that contains no chloride, heavy metals or formaldehyde. Local production
The use of products from local manufacturers is the best choice when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and freight cost.
Blackstone Cabinetry of Burlington takes pains to ensure all components for its cabinets, from doors to packaging material, come from U.S. sources.
According to Doug Agner of Blackstone Cabinetry, many showrooms are adding green cabinet displays to their showrooms and the level of interest is increasing.
Although the availability of green cabinetry is currently limited and there is a cost premium on the products, Agner said he anticipates the price premium will diminish as the materials become more readily available. Consumer demand is growing because of health concerns and reactions to harmful chemicals such as chloride and formaldehyde.
The options are increasing for people who want environmentally friendly cabinetry that can improve indoor air quality and create a healthier home.
Scott Allred is chairman of the Triad Green Building Council and the owner of Precept Construction. He can be reached at scott@preceptconstruction.com or 286-6811. For additional resources on green building, visit www.triadgreenbuilding.org or www.preceptconstruction.com.
