Cabinets Resource Guide

How to Choose Eco-Friendly Cabinets

In an age of environmental consciousness, people are recognizing that every choice counts. Cabinets are an important consideration in building and remodeling green homes and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings. Learn what makes some cabinets more eco-friendly than others.

What You Need To Know

1. Know the cabinet company. Some large companies, such as KraftMaid, have a demonstrated environmental commitment, and other smaller companies, like Crystal Cabinets, are dedicated to producing green products. You may decide to buy locally to avoid the environmental and monetary cost of shipping your cabinets, or you can buy online for a broader range of eco-friendly choices.
2. Choose cabinets made from eco-friendly materials. Above all, choose cabinets that are built to last with materials that resist mold and mildew. Sustainably grown domestic wood is the best choice. Look for certification, such as from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), that the wood is from a responsibly managed forest. Some cabinets include recycled or reclaimed wood (trees that had already fallen or wood from another application). Another more recent option in cabinet materials is called wheatboard. Wheatboard is a strong, moisture resistant particle board made from recycled wheat chaff.
3. Make sure your cabinets are finished responsibly. Look for cabinets with low VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes. VOCs are released into the air not only during the manufacturing process but also during the entire life of the cabinet and are very damaging to the environment and to human health. Water-based finishes are safer than oil-based ones. If you are finishing your cabinets yourself, many low-VOC finishes are available to choose from, or you can choose a VOC-free paint.
4. Don’t forget to recycle the wood from your old cabinets, or reuse the wood for another project. Do not burn the wood from old cabinets because you don’t want to release the harsh chemicals from the finish into the air.

Tips and Warnings

• It might be more eco-friendly and cheaper to simply make over your old cabinets. You can get new doors or hardware for your cabinets, and use low VOC paints and finishes.