Earth Day was last week, and whether you're ready to save the planet, or simply practice more eco-friendly habits it's easier than ever to implement green and sustainable products into your home renovation projects.
How to Choose Cabinet MaterialsCAMBRIA is a stain resistant, nonporous surface that is harder, stronger and easier to care for than other stone surfaces because it does not require sealing with chemical-based conditioners, polishers or wax. CAMBRIA is also certified by NSF International as safe for use as a food preparation surface - there is no safer surface available to consumers.Cork is not only sustainable and renewable (like bamboo), but is extremely soft and comfortable under foot.Other new choices are countertops made with glass, paper, and concrete. Many of these are fine for kitchen use, but some will not be durable enough over time. If you are using a material that is not time tested inspect an installation that has been in use for some time..Concrete countertops are increasingly popular in contemporary settings, and don't off-gas. They are considered greenest when locally fabricated and when mixed with cement alternatives and recycled aggregates.Wood is a wonderful material for butcher-block counter tops and flooring.FlooringFSC and sustainable woods that are formaldehyde free - and finished with a low VOC sealant - is a green alternative to recycling your old cabinets. Another wonderful material to consider is a veneered wheat board composite. The straw fibers are combined with a formaldehyde free resin and then painted with low or zero VOC paints.Kitchen cabinetry can easily be refaced or repainted with low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and products. If however they no longer fit into your renovation plans then consider re-using them somewhere else in your home or donate them to you local Habitat For Humanity Re-Store.SOURCE Kitchen Magic, Inc.CAMBRIA's colors possess unrivaled movement, depth and veining that no other stone countertop has been able to capture. Plus, CAMBRIA is the most durable stone product on the market and it is nonporous so it won't stain and requires no maintenance, polishing or regular sealing unlike granite.For information, visit KitchenMagic.com/countertops/CAMBRIA or call 800-237-0799Choosing the Right CountertopsHere are just a few material considerations for you to research before you get started on your kitchen or bath renovation. Educate yourself on all the available green and sustainable products available today, as they will provide you with a greener home and a much healthier lifestyle.While choosing materials for the kitchen can be difficult, take it step by step and you'll get there. Start with the countertop and cabinet finish. Once you have those chosen, select a material for your floor. Then choose your backsplash and wall and ceiling paint colors. This process will help you get everything chosen more quickly, so you can get through the construction a little sooner, and then to enjoying your new kitchen.One tip when choosing cabinets is to look at the interior door style in your house (the doors to each room, such as a bedroom). Often times choosing a coordinating cabinet door style to match the interior doors within your house is an easy and safe way to ensure that the new kitchen design looks good. Of course, you can deviate this. Consider choosing a different material for an island and maybe a more elaborate doors style. Don't make the mistake of selecting an overly fancy door style unless your house warrants it. You don't want your friends to come into your kitchen and say, "wow, look at your fancy cabinets!" You want them to say, "wow, look at your amazing kitchen!" You want them to notice everything. If you have kids and pets, consider choosing a stained wood cabinet rather than a painted cabinet. Generally they will end up looking better for longer, and they are easier to touch up when they get nicked. If you are consider a faux or decorative finish, keep in mind that when you are looking at a sample painted on one door, you'll generally want it to look less distressed than you think it should look rather than over distressed. When you install all the kitchen doors, it can look very 'over done' if you go too heavy handed on faux or decorative finishes.
Finally when it comes to the finishing touches and furnishing your home, look for environmentally sustainable and eco-chic pieces. Do some online research and you'll find the resources are endless.
Author: Lori Gilder
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