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[E108]Eco Friendly Home Products

by Gary Nealon, Gar

There is a green movement in the country, it could be a case of too little too late, but at the least we are moving towards a nation that has a conscious about destroying the environment. The green movement has caught on with many groups and has become fashionable in some industries. The home building or home improvement industry is no exception. Many construction companies, home improvement centers and building products advertise some level of commitment towards "green" or environmentally friendly construction. Are these companies actually fulfilling their promises? That is a discussion for another day What we want to focus on is how a wood kitchen cabinet can help you become environmentally friendly.

Everyone should want to reduce their "carbon footprint". This carbon footprint is roughly defined as the amount of CO2 that you, as a living person, put into the environment each day. It can be everyday activities like driving a car, running an air conditioner, or building a house. Almost everything you do has a connection to the environment, be it direct or incidental. Taking products and using them is basically us being consumers and from this consumption we are taking from nature. This then creates pressure on the environment.

So again, if I am building a house or renovating my kitchen, how do wood kitchen cabinets help lower my carbon footprint? The first thing is to define a "wood kitchen cabinet". Unless you're living in the nineteenth century, you're probably not going to see a solid wood cabinet. It is not economical and it just does not make sense in the building industry. What you are getting in wood kitchen cabinets is one of two things. Solid wood faced cabinets with paneled wood sides (these are the good cabinets) or the lesser quality cabinet that is a wood front and a particle board side (places like Home Depot and Lowe's sell these inferior cabinets).

Now that you have a definition of what really is a wood kitchen cabinet, you can then ask where I find these solid wood cabinets with paneled sides. The very best, easiest, and least expensive method to buying these cabinets is actually online. Yes, the internet cabinet websites easily beat any retail prices. (Mostly because of less over head).

Finally, how am I saving the environment, if I am buying wood kitchen cabinets? The trick to saving money and the environment is the RTA kitchen cabinet. It is not a brand name, but rather a style of cabinet. RTA stands for "ready to assemble". These cabinets are about thirty to forty percent less than an assembled cabinet and they are actually helping to cut down carbon emissions and save lumber. These all wood RTA kitchen cabinets use the entire tree, thus cutting waste. Furthermore, these cabinets save space on shipping. They are unassembled so they take up to fifty percent less space. This "space savings" contributes to less shipping; this produces less carbon dioxide. You may say that does not seem like much, but when you add up the number of shipments, this becomes a huge amount of carbon dioxide that is kept out of the atmosphere.

So in the end, every little bit helps. Yes buying wood kitchen cabinets, especially RTA kitchen cabinets will help the environment. Now all we have to do is get everyone to do their own small part.

Accessible technology, restaurant-style quality and high-end design are emerging not merely as trends, but requirements for today's home enthusiasts. Add to that the desire for design and home appliance choices that reflect environmental sustainability and it's clear that the kitchens of tomorrow have a lot to live up to.

The Kitchen Rises to the Occasion

In the past, the kitchen served a utilitarian role where people gathered for the basic purpose of cooking and eating. The kitchen will continue to be a central gathering place in the future but on a more social level. For example, it has become the room of choice to entertain guests, featuring all the equipment you need...including the wine cellar. The kitchen will also gain greater control of the rest of the household with touch screen computers allowing consumers to control a variety of aspects of the home including lighting, heating and cooling, entertainment systems, security and more, bringing the focus to the kitchen like never before.

Green – the newest colour trend in kitchens

Along with the kitchen changing to a more social centre, going “green” with appliances and materials is becoming more common. There are two interpretations of ‘green' – the first is the more universal thought, that “green” means environmentally sustainable materials and/or appliances that are more conservative when it comes to resource use (electricity and water consumption being the main focuses there). The second is the actual health impacts on those interacting with the materials and appliances. For instance, some cabinet interiors use pressed woods. The sealants and binders for these woods can experience “off-gassing,” expelling urea formaldehyde into the immediate environment. This can be a problem for those sensitive to conditions that affect air quality. Instead, particularly sensitive individuals, or those concerned with possible adverse health effects may need to make use of alternatives such as Agra board or wheat board for those interiors. For the environmentally sustainable aspects, bamboo has become a hot material since it quickly reaches maturity. Energy Star®-labeled appliances fit with specific environmental guidelines, offering consumers energy-efficient options, making it easy to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. Many refrigerators and dishwashers bear this environmentally friendly label. Other options for ‘going green' include choosing an induction cooktop, allowing for more efficient energy use. Although many of the “green” treatments we're beginning to see in North America have been on the market for some time in Europe, expect to see an even greater increase in the use of materials and appliances under this category as more provinces look to address issues regarding shortages of resources or landfill areas.

Practical Design for the Home Chef

In terms of design, hot trends for kitchens right now include the integration of multiple materials, such as granite or marble countertops with floating glass counters off of them (to provide a place for people to sit and interact with a cook). Wood counters are being introduced to create a warmer feel to the kitchen, while stainless steel is being used from a practical standpoint in regards to food prep and easy cleanup. Another trend can be seen in the expansion of the classic work triangle to provide additional room to welcome the help of a second person when it comes to preparing a meal. Counter-depth refrigerators are reflecting the style and integration of build-in models. Technology is becoming more and more a part of the kitchen: ovens that can accurately measure the internal temperature of meat, poultry and liquid-based casseroles, and can automatically convert conventional times and temperatures to their convection oven equivalents; dishwashers that clean with steam and have sensors to determine if plates are clean; and humidity-controlled crispers that add just the right amount of moisture to fruit and vegetables. A trend that had been big years ago is making a comeback – vent hoods are again being displayed as a focal point. These hoods have beautiful detail and a look that helps compliment the surroundings. New over the-range microwave-hood combination ovens offer seamless design and a space saving option. Professional- grade appliances will become more popular in high-end kitchens to improve functionality and offer the details that matter to those who love to cook. While technology and functional design improvements will increase the capacity and output of the home's hub, green design elements will help decrease the impact on its occupants' health and the external environment.

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Both Gary Nealon & Amy Nutt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Gary Nealon has sinced written about articles on various topics from belly fat, Internet Marketing and Weight Loss Pills. Find out where the experts go to get all of their and accessories. Learn how to save thousand on. Gary Nealon's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.

Amy Nutt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Recreation and Sports and Women. KitchenAid products are the choice for producing great results. Offer most major and acessories.. Amy Nutt's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.