Green Options for Your Kitchen Including Low and No-VOC Cabinetry

This post is second in a series of green home remodeling blogs in celebration of Earth Day, April 22. Low or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) finishes is a topic with high interest in the Boston area home renovation market. Products available with low or no VOCs include paints and wood (cabinets, furniture, etc.). In this post we'll focus solely on wood.

If you are interested in formaldehyde free kitchen cabinets there are several choices available to you. Stainless steel kitchen cabinets or any other metal cabinet are going free of toxic chemicals. But if you have your heart set on wood there are several green kitchen cabinet options available to you.

The most common material for green kitchen cabinets is bamboo. Bamboo is beautiful and also durable. It is a rapidly renewable resource. Bamboo can mature in less than half the time it takes hardwood trees to reach market size making it a popular choice for environmentalists.

When choosing a cabinet manufacturer who claims to have 'green cabinets' ask for certification. This will confirm that their products are formaldehyde free and created with no or low VOCs. Wheat board is the remnants of straw waste left over from wheat crops. The plant stems of the wheat are finely milled and bound with sustainable binders which are formaldehyde free. This is also a by-product of a sustainable resource that would otherwise be disposed of if not used in cabinetry. Wheat board exceeds the set standards for particle board in the U.S.

As you may already know, particle board is the base material used in most manufactured kitchen cabinets. For consumers with cabinets made of particle board, there are a couple of ways to limit the danger of further outgassing of VOCs in your kitchen. First, you could replace the existing cabinets with 'green' cabinets. A second option is to remove the face of the cabinets and purchase a no-VOC, water-based sealant to thoroughly cover them. If purchasing a sealant, completely cover every square inch of surface as well as all cracks.

Also, some type of plywood used by cabinet manufacturers are also free of VOCs. This varies by manufacturer so make sure you check on the specific cabinet you are considering.

Another green option is to use recycled wood. Older kitchen cabinets made from solid wood can be sanded, stained and refinished with a no or low-VOC finish. This is a good choice for those who aren't able to afford green kitchen cabinets.

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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