Use cabinets made from greener materials
Manufacturers are getting the green thing.
Some stock and semi-custom cabinets are made from solid wood or veneer certified by the Forest Stewardship Council(FSC) Nonprofit organization that promotes forestry practices that are sustainable from environmental and social standpoints; FSC certification on a wood product is an indicator that the wood came from a well-managed forest. (FSCNonprofit organization that promotes forestry practices that are sustainable from environmental and social standpoints; FSC certification on a wood product is an indicator that the wood came from a well-managed forest.) and less toxic finishes. In addition, cabinet boxes can be made from sheet materials that off-gas less formaldehydeChemical found in many building products; most binders used for manufactured wood products are formaldehyde compounds. Reclassified by the United Nations International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2004 as a “known human carcinogen." than conventional particleboard or interior-grade plywood. When cabinets are totally custom, homeowners can specify all environmentally friendly materials.
Green points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
: 1/2 point for cabinets made with FSCForest Stewardship Council. An independent, nonprofit organization that promotes responsible forest management through the use of a third-party certification process. FSC certification includes a chain-of-custody requirement that tracks sustainability of wood products from growth to end use.-certified wood and composites with no added urea formaldehyde resins.
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700: 5 points for kitchen and bath vanity cabinets that contain no added urea formaldehyde; 3 points for cabinets that meet certain standards of the California Air Resources Board; 2 points for kitchen and bath cabinets that meet certain standards of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (901.10).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
Learn more in the Green Product Guide
Further resources
Where Can I Find Unfinished Wheatboard Cabinets?
Good Green Kitchens, Jennifer Roberts, Gibbs Smith, 2006
Profiled in our Product Guide
