Page 62 - Green Builder Homeowner's Handbook 2016

The Homeowner’s Handbook SEVENTH 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.

countertops are finally offering ¦¦ Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): An engineered
wood often used in cabinet door construction. MDF may also
truly green options.ACK IN THE MID-1990S, it was almost impossible contain volatile air pollutants.

to find off-the-shelf cabinetry that didn’t contain ¦¦ Veneer: Thin layer of wood typically glued to a less
particleboard saturated with formaldehyde, with valuable substrate. Both the adhesive and the
the exception of one or two semi-custom high- substrate can contribute to indoor air pollution,
end or European manufacturers. It’s easier now, depending on the glues used.

Bbut primarily because of the efforts of small- ¦¦ Substrate: A panel that’s used underneath higher
scale cabinet shops. The U.S. cabinet industry value finish materials. In cabinetry, substrates typically
at large, like the carpet industry, has been a follower—not are made of plywood, particleboard or other engineered
a leader—in the arena of environmental responsibility and wood products.
pollution control.
In 2006, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association ¦¦ Surface Seal Paint: Some finishes, such as AFM Safecoat
(KCMA) launched an in-house sustainability benchmark called Hard Seal, have a low enough permeability that they
the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). The program can be used to prevent or slow the release of air pollutants
has some flaws, but at least it’s a move toward the light. from particleboard and other resin-bonded materials.
Many firms have used ESP guidelines as a baseline for ho w to
improve sustainability. Keep in mind that not every green cabinet seal have at least taken some steps to clean up their practices
line will be KCMA certified, any more than every eco-friendly and products.
builder’s work is LEED certified. But those that do get the ESP
ESP offers manufacturers 105 possible points. They have to get 80
to qualify for certification. It should be noted that they self-certify
by sending in documentation (often from other industry-friendly
organizations such as the Composite Panel Association) to prove
that they have met certain criteria.

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aggregates, Caesarstone heat and scratch resistant. Curava surfaces are manufactured during
countertops and quartz daytime hours while using no artificial lighting in the factory, and the
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