Thoughts of Spring Suggest A “Green” Remodel

It’s a great feeling to open the windows and let the fresh spring air blow through. As you plan a kitchen or bathroom remodel think about the indoor air quality you want to maintain all year round. A key is to minimize the amounts of urea formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be emitted over the lifetime of your kitchen.

Don’t worry. You don’t have to be a chemist to find a remodeler who adheres to green practices that can help you breathe easier for years to come.

Use these short “clean air” do’s and don’ts checklists as you begin shopping for your new kitchen or bath.

Your best “green” remodeling choices include:

Marine-quality plywood and E1 grade particle board made with phenol-based resin.

Acrylic Polyurethane finishes applied at the factory prior to delivery.

Use of fasteners instead of glues in cabinet assembly. 

Steer clear of the following practices:

Engineered woods made with urea formaldehyde-based resins and glues. 

Lacquer finish (high VOCs) or paints applied by the installer in your home. 

Glues used in assembly.

Going green with Neff of Chicago brings design benefits, too:  Because Neff uses fasteners instead of glues, cabinets can be disassembled without damage, which makes on-site modification easier. And, the fact that finishes are applied by skilled Neff craftsmen at the factory ensures that the cabinets Neff delivers are the exact color you selected and approved.

Green Industry Practices to Look For

CARB regulations are aimed at eliminating formaldehyde in the manufacture of engineered wood. They were started by the California Air Resources Board and are followed by 49 U.S. states and several countries. Make sure your remodeler is CARB compliant

The Environmental Stewardship Program was established n 2006 by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA). ESP goes beyond other environmental programs by holding the industry to higher standards in categories that include: 

• Control of air quality and emission levels
• Use of certified and sustainable materials
• Energy efficient manufacturing processes
• Waste and recycle management
• Social Stewardship

ESP-certified companies can display the group’s green tree logo.

As you plan and implement your new dream kitchen, add air quality to your list of must haves. It actually is easy being green when you team with a designer like Neff.