Cabinetry Material
Description
Benefits & Drawbacks
Tips
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable member of the grass family. Bamboo is split and made into planks, which are considered equally as strong as hardwood.
A renewable, fast-growing, natural product; no off gassing; typically comes from Asia and requires long distances to travel
Be sure to use solid bamboo — and not bamboo-covered particle board — to ensure maximum durability and quality.
Compressed Agricultural Fibers
These agricultural panels are made from the agricultural waste of food production. Common products use wheat, straw or sorghum stalks. Use of eco-friendly binders and its rapidly renewable, recyclable nature make it a good choice.
Naturally renewable; made from waste products; may need a finish to increase durability; some products use toxic glues
Get products with low-VOC, nontoxic adhesives and veneers.
Particle Board
Particle board is made by binding and pressing wood chips and wood shavings into a dense engineered wood product and, typically, contains formaldehyde.
Made from waste and recycled wood content; urea formaldehyde as well as other off-gassing binding agents are used
Look for nontoxic, low-VOC, and urea formaldehyde-free binders and resins.
Hardwood
This natural and renewable material comes from hardwood species such as oak, cherry, locust, etc. Local, salvaged and certified wood products are available.
Can be sustainably harvested and is naturally nontoxic; FSC products meet LEED requirements; but non-sustainable timber practices threaten many hardwood species; many sustainable wood products do not have certification
Look for local, salvaged or thirdparty-certified, sustainably harvested wood. Use low-VOC, natural and nontoxic stains and finishes.
Formaldehyde-Free Plywood
Plywood panels can be made without any formaldehyde.
Contains no formaldehyde; not all panels are FSC certified; not all manufacturers offer product
Look for nontoxic, low-VOC binders and third-party-certified wood.
Think globally, Drink locally. Environmentally friendly water filtration systems for home and office
www.filtersfortap.com For assistance call: 828-775-9174 Member, Water Quality Association WNC Green Building Council
wncgreenbuilding.com
WNC Green Building Directory
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