GBlist: "green" cabinetry panel selection

Ed Mays (endura@teleport.com)
Tue, 11 Mar 97 15:17:29 -0000

I am helping in the research for healthier and more resource efficient
cabinets starting with a house and townhouse project, but also helping
longer term to develop and offer a line of eco-cabinets to builders,
architects, etc.. My primary concern right now is selecting cabinet box
material. Does anyone know of any recent published comparative test
results on VOC emissions, toxicity, and/or life cycle analysis of panel
products(plywoods, particle boards, MDF, etc.) that are used in
cabinetry? Where would I start research on this topic? I am aware of
several low VOC panel products like Medite II MDF, WheatBoard particle
board, Resincore particle board, and plywoods using exterior grade
glues(phenol formaldehyde instead of urea formaldehyde), but are there
others and how do they compare in a LCA, or for other possible toxic
emissions in manufacture and end use?

As far as a resource efficient panel product, a particle board using a
renewable and/or waste agricultural material would seem better than
plywood, but energy use in manufacture and toxicity, quantity of binders,
and durability may be important to consider. I have been gathering MSDS
sheets on various panel products and as many of you know, they vary in
their usefulness. Of course price is also an important consideration,
but economy of scale plus design can help in reducing cost. Perhaps the
safest as far as IAQ considerations is solid wood cabinetry in the end.
Several low VOC cabinetry projects have simply used a low VOC "sealer"
finish over particleboard, or cabinet grade hardwood plywoods.

Thanks in Advance, Ed Mays

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ENDURA HARDWOODS AND WOODWORKS
Fine Hardwoods and Products that are Soft on the Environment
2401 NW Marken St. Ph: 541-383-5003 Fax: 541-317-8391
Bend, OR 97701 e-mail: endura@teleport.com
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