Three Interior Design Considerations Help Homeowners Choose The Best Kitchen Cabinetry For Their Home — And The Planet

Consumers should look beyond cabinet hardware, colors and finishes to choose sustainably built cabinets that are safer for their families and the environment

Portland Ore. – December 4, 2013 – Neil Kelly Cabinets reports increasing homeowner interest in environmentally friendly or “green” cabinetry options for kitchen remodels and home renovations. The company also reports confusion about what constitutes a sustainable kitchen cabinet.

“The sheer number of cabinets on the market can be daunting for consumers,” states Mark Smith, President of Neil Kelly Cabinets. “But new labeling programs, such as the Declare™ label, which acts as a ‘nutrition label’ for building products, makes it easier for consumers to choose healthier products for their home.”

Smith advises homeowners to ask these questions when evaluating cabinet options:

1. Will it contribute to a healthier home?
Chemical sensitivity is a serious and growing public health problem that affects people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds. According to a survey conducted by The New Mexico Department of Health, “16 percent of the state’s respondents reported being unusually sensitive to everyday chemicals and 2 percent reported they had been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivities.” Consumers struggling with chemical sensitivity should use less toxic everyday cleaning products and also select kitchen cabinetry with lower VOC finishes.

Cabinets that optimize indoor air quality and healthful living feature:

–No formaldehyde PureBond panels
–Regional responsible solid wood and wood veneers
–No formaldehyde and low VOC adhesives and finishes
–Certified woods

2. Is it healthy for the planet?
Many consumers want to minimize their environmental footprint, yet maximize a room’s style and design. One way to do so is to learn about a company’s manufacturing process. For example, Neil Kelly Cabinet’s Naturally Northwest Collection sources material within a 500-mile radius of the plant and uses earth-friendly products with no added formaldehyde. Selecting US-made cabinets also helps reduce a product’s overall carbon footprint.

3. Does it integrate well into a home’s style?
Consumers who want to make a responsible choice don’t have to sacrifice style. There are many earth-friendly cabinetry options that let discerning homeowners create a truly original look and to feel good doing so. Homeowners should select a cabinet style that reflects the overall design of a space such as Mid-Century Modern, Craftsman, Transitional or Eclectic.

How Declare Works – For Dealers, Builders and Consumers
Cabinet dealers, builders, and consumers can use the Declare product database and label to find manufacturers that have declared their product ingredients, source and manufacturing locations. The Declare database provides a list of “red-list-ready products” containing zero ingredients from the hazard list, such as PVC and added formaldehyde. Cabinet dealers, green-minded builders and savvy health-conscious consumers can read the product ‘nutrition label’ and make an educated purchase decision. For more information visit http://www.declareproducts.com

Source and Image Source: Neil Kelly Cabinet Company and Neil Kelly Cabinets