Page 57 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017
P. 57
Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows & Doors / Heating & Cooling / Lighting / Appliances / Plumbing / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy
What makes CABINETS
and TOPS green?
Solid Wood Construction
Finding kitchen cabinets and
shelves that are made with zero
formaldehyde or other offgassing
substances can be challenging.
Most of the MDF used for shelves
and doors (commonly known as
particleboard) used in cabinets
Durable Countertops tends to offgas for months—or
Nonporous solid even years. One workaround is to
surface material, have a local woodworker make
such as the Wilsonart them. The Neil Kelly cabinets
Gibraltar countertops pictured here are free of added
pictured here, are formaldehyde.
naturally resistant to
heat, stains and mold.
Many varieties of
durable, partly recycled
countertops such as
PaperStone are also
now available. Other
options include quartz-
based products such as
Vetrazzo or Cambria.
PRO TIP: Safe Finish
Remember the Range Hood. Try to use water-based final
If you go to all this trouble to keep coatings for your cabinet
the air clean in your kitchen, then fail and floors. Spend extra to
to install an vent fan on your range, buy the most durable finish
you will be disappointed in the overall you can find. Every time you
air quality in your home. have to re-coat surfaces, you
introduce toxins back into
your living space—and extract PHOTO: AARON ZILTENER / NEIL KELLY
more resources from the PORTLAND, OREGON KITCHEN
natural world. DESIGNED BY THERESE DUBRAVAC
WWW.NEILKELLY.COM
9-61 GB 1017 HH.indd 55 11/1/17 12:08 PM
