Homeowners and builders have been frustrated too long by the lack of readily available green cabinetry and shelving. It’s time to give them more options. For people with asthma, chemical sensitivity, or infants in the house, the only alternative in the past has been to take matters into their own hands, to have their cabinets custom built and finished with low-VOC paints, or to seal in VOCs and formaldehyde with surface sealing paints. They shouldn’t have to work so hard.
A few brands are pointing the way by offering Low-VOC water-borne finishes and safer adhesives, along with straw core shelves and wood for both door faces and veneers that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. We believe these are the cabinet makers of the future. GB
GLOSSARY OF TERMS KNOW THE LINGO
> Particleboard
Wood chips bonded together with resins that frequently contain air pollutants such as formaldehyde.
> Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
An engineered wood often used in cabinet door construction. MDF may also contain volatile air pollutants.
> Veneer
Thin layer of wood typically glued to a less valuable substrate. Both the adhesive and the substrate can contribute to indoor air pollution, depending on the glues used.
> Substrate
A panel that’s used underneath higher value finish materials. In cabinetry, substrates typically are made of plywood, particle board, or other engineered wood products.
> Surface Seal Paint
Some coatings, such as AFM Safecoat Hard Seal, have a low enough permeability that they can be used to prevent or slow the release of air pollutants from particle board and other resin-bonded materials.
Countertops: What’s the Difference?
Material — Price per sq.ft. — Overall score
Quartz (engineered stone) — $50-100 — 79
Granite — 45-200 — 78
Laminate — 10-30 — 78
Solid surfacing — 35-100 — 62
Tile (ceramic and porcelain) — 10-30 — 58
Concrete (topical sealer) — 80-120 — 53
Stainless steel — 100-150 — 52
Concrete (penetrating sealer) — 80-120 — 38
Limestone — 60-100 — 36
Marble — 50-140 — 26
Source: Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports analyzed various attributes of common countertop materials, including how it handles staining, heat, abrasions and impact. Quartz (engineered stone) got the highest marks, with marble coming in last, primarily because it doesn’t hold up well against abrasions and impact. While both quartz and granite garner high scores, it’s important to remember that large amounts of energy are required to transport these stones so it’s best to look for a local fabricator. Stainless steel has become quite popular in contemporary kitchens, but it is susceptible to scratching.—Editor
11.2011
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