The green revolution is well underway across America. Many homeowners are assuming responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of their homes, searching for environmentally conscious products or using renewable materials. That holds true, too, in the kitchen, where many people have begun searching for green replacement cabinets or countertop materials.
The long-held idea that granite countertops harbor dangerous radon gas has more myth than merit, however you can always have your kitchen countertops tested. The real green part of the trend in kitchen countertops has been toward the use of recycled materials. Some homeowners are actually using recycled-paper countertop materials.
Green Kitchen Cabinets
More focus lately seems to be on the use of green materials for kitchen cabinets. That doesn’t mean the color is green, by the way! You’ll find recent use of veneer from plantation-grown trees, including bamboo or Brazilian Eucalyptus hybrids for the replacement cabinets. Recycled wood is a green idea that cuts down on deforestation rather than cutting down trees.
The overall unease in replacing kitchen cabinets with veneers stems from the use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that may release formaldehyde into the air. If you’re concerned, you can use formaldehyde-free MDF, straw or wheat boards known to be VOC-free, along with water based sealants that do not contain VOC materials. You can also insist on solvent-free adhesives.
These kitchen cabinet products not only settle the mind but can increase resale value. In Seattle, green kitchens increased value and helped sell homes faster than non-certified models.
You’ll pay more, but if you’re concerned, you’ll sleep easier.
[...] wrote last year about choosing materials with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that can help prevent toxicity in your [...]
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