Environmentally Friendly Green-Wood Cabinets & Furniture

While we’re not scientists, based on unfortunate life experiences and research we do the following because we believe it is the best.  Let’s define what “green” means. Wikipedia.com defines Green building as “the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources – energy, water, and materials – while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal – the complete building life cycle.”

When we build “green”, we are using natural occurring materials or “raw materials” that enhance the quality of our earth’s environment instead of man-made synthetic materials that harm our surroundings.

Often people wonder, what is so bad about the cabinets and furniture I have in my home? Is there a benefit in building environmentally friendly cabinets and furniture?

We believe… absolutely.  Many cabinets and furniture in a home are toxic as they emit harmful VOC’s.  VOC is short for Volatile Organic Compound and is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “as gases from certain solids or liquids that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility.” VOCS have short term and long-term health effects that are harmful. According to the EPA, it doesn’t matter if the home is located in a high industrial or rural area, the indoor air pollutants of VOCs are still 2 to 5 times higher inside homes. Read more from the EPA about how these VOC toxins can lead to many health problems after long term exposure.

So let’s start talking about Green-Wood cabinets & furniture.

Wood Selection: We do not use chemically bonded plastic or wood veneers, plywood, and particle board.  Instead, we use certified wood veneers bonded with non-VOC adhesive, solid slabs of certified wood or Agriboard (an environmentally friendly product made from straw).

Assembly Process: We use water based glues and adhesives that have low or VOC emission. Typically, synthetic glues and adhesives containing formaldehyde, melamine and cellulose etc are used in most cabinets and furniture. We use low or no VOC glues and or adhesives, hoping to prevent toxic gases and polluting indoors with health hazard toxins.

Finishing: We only use low VOC finishes, pigments, paints and stains.  We seal the cabinets with natural oils or a sealer that is free of polyurethane and formaldehyde.  Even though we’re Texans, our sealants meet Leed standards and California’s requirements.

And guess what, we do all that without sacrificing the finished look or compromising the quality of  indoor air for your home.

“Is environmentally-friendly Green-Wood custom cabinetry constructed with the high quality look of traditionally built cabinetry?”

Yes.  Green-Wood Cabinetry does not compromise the finished products durability or quality.  We’re just hoping to enhance the quality of life and the earth’s environment by reducing the toxins emitted from the industrialized chemicals used in the assembly of traditional cabinets.  Even better, while our high-end products are of the finest quality, we do not charge more to be less harmful.  We’re still in line with our high-end competition when comparing apples to apples or in this case board to board.