Page 61 - November 2015 Green Builder Magazine

Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows / Heating / Lighting / Appliances / Faucets & Fixtures / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy

What makes CABINETS
and TOPS green?

Durable Countertops Solid Wood Construction
Nonporous solid Finding kitchen cabinets and
surface material, shelves that are made with zero
such as the Wilsonart formaldehyde or other offgassing
Gibraltar countertops substances can be challenging.
pictured here, are Most of the MDF used for shelves
naturally resistant to and doors (commonly known as
heat, stains and mold. particleboard) used in cabinets
Many varieties of tends to offgass for months—or
durable, partly recycled even years. One workaround is to
countertops such as have a local woodworker make
PaperStone are also them. The Neil Kelly cabinets
now available. Other pictured here are free of added
option include quartz- formaldehyde.
based products such as
Vetrazzo or Cambria.

PRO TIP: Safe Finish
Try to use water-based final
Remember the Range Hood. coatings for your cabinet
If you go to all this trouble to keep and floors. Spend extra to
the air clean in your kitchen, then fail buy the most durable finish
to install an vent fan on your range, you can find. Every time you
you will be disappointed in the overall have to re-coat surfaces, you
air quality in your home. introduce toxins back into
your living space—and extract
more resources from the PHOTO: AARON ZILTENER / NEIL KELLY
natural world. PORTLAND, OREGON KITCHEN
DESIGNED BY THERESE DUBRAVAC
WWW.NEILKELLY.COM