Bamboo Cabinet Info

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:24:15 +0000

Cabinets have been, and continue to be, a huge source of poor indoor air quality (IEQ), though this thought is foreign to most. The most common toxin found in standard cabinetry is “Urea Formaldehyde”, which is the most cost-effective additive used to bond wood fibers together, like those in particle-board, mdf, and some other engineered panels. The Urea is a known carcinogen, but due to cost is often used in place of its’ similar but more expensive relative, the non-carcinogenic phenol formaldehyde. By using low-toxic glues, proper bonding equipment, and/or solid “wood” cores, environmental cabinets and millwork components can be made from recycled wood (by-product from other industrial manufacturing operations), bamboo(“traditional”, Strandwoven™ and dye-infused), and other rapidly renewable species. These newer materials not only make spaces feel more environmentally-comfortable, potentially increasing productivity, but they can also tend to foster better indoor air quality, decreasing the toxins present within the space.

Many designers, architects and homeowners are searching for more health and sustainable millwork options. With the ability to create high quality products by using Urea Free glues and compressing raw materials that are either rapidly renewable or are made from post-industrial content, the search should be easier. The cost may be a little more for a less toxic product, mainly due to the fact that the healthier components (glues, finishes, and raw material) cost more to produce), but when “health” is in the equation, you must look beyond just the initial upfront (buy-in) cost. These materials can not only reduce pressures on one’s immune system, but they also have a profound effect on reducing our need to harvest rainforest materials and other woods that require an exceptionally long time between harvesting.

Sustainable Flooring Blog » Millwork

Bamboo Cabinet Info