Page 56 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017

THE HOMEOWNER’S HANDBOOK EIGHTH EDITION

Cabinets & Tops12

Choose products that won’t pollute your indoor air.

From the incorporation of Glossary of Terms

recycled materials to the use Know the Lingo

of non-toxic finishes, many ■ ■ Particleboard: Wood chips bonded together with
resins that frequently contain air pollutants such as
makers of cabinets and formaldehyde.

■ ■ Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): An engineered
countertops are finally offering wood often used in cabinet door construction. MDF may also
contain volatile air pollutants.
truly green options. ■ ■ Veneer: Thin layer of wood typically glued to a less
valuable substrate. Both the adhesive and the
substrate can contribute to indoor air pollution,
ACK IN THE MID-1990S, it was almost impossible depending on the glues used.
to find off-the-shelf cabinetry that didn’t contain
■ ■ Substrate: A panel that’s used underneath higher
particleboard saturated with formaldehyde, with value finish materials. In cabinetry, substrates typically
the exception of one or two semi-custom high- are made of plywood, particleboard or other engineered
end or European manufacturers. It’s easier now, wood products.
but primarily because of the efforts of small-
■ ■ Surface Seal Paint: Some finishes, such as AFM Safecoat
Bscale cabinet shops. The U.S. cabinet industry Hard Seal, have a low enough permeability that they
at large, like the carpet industry, has been a follower—not can be used to prevent or slow the release of air pollutants
a leader—in the arena of environmental responsibility and from particleboard and other resin-bonded materials.
pollution control.
In 2006, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
(KCMA) launched an in-house sustainability benchmark called seal have at least taken some steps to clean up their practices
the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). The program and products.
has some flaws, but at least it’s a move toward the light. ESP offers manufacturers 105 possible points. They have to get 80
Many firms have used ESP guidelines as a baseline for ho w to to qualify for certification. It should be noted that they self-certify
improve sustainability. Keep in mind that not every green cabinet by sending in documentation (often from other industry-friendly
line will be KCMA certified, any more than every eco-friendly organizations such as the Composite Panel Association) to prove
builder’s work is LEED certified. But those that do get the ESP that they have met certain criteria.

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scatch resistant. daytime hours while using no artificial lighting in the factory, and the
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