Green Kitchen Remodeling

Glass tiles made from recycled glass are another chic Green choice for a kitchen remodel. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes providing seemingly endless design possibilities. Glass tiles do not give off emissions that damage indoor air quality. Consult the manufacturer's Instruction Guide before installing their product. Use the glue and grout that they recommend.

2. Lighting:
Energy efficient lighting can cut down on your utility bill. Most standard fixtures are compatible with compact fluorescents (CFLs). CFLs can save 75% of the electricity that incandescents bulbs use. CFL technology has come a long way. In the past, some people stayed away from CFLs because they didn't like the sterile light they gave off, reminding them of older office lighting. CFLs now offer cool and warm light and are available in a wider range of wattage and lumens. Look for the Energy Star® on this product as well. While the initial cost of these bulbs is slightly higher, they last eight times as long.

Designing a kitchen with good natural lighting cuts down on the need to use electricity and is a Green kitchen choice that you may have overlooked.

3. Hypoallergenic Materials:
As the number of people who suffer from environmental allergies and chemical sensitivities increases, so does the need for hypoallergenic building materials. Building or remodeling your kitchen can produce toxins that are harmful to indoor air quality. To reduce this problem there are low-toxicity finishes and surfaces available on the market. Look for products that have water based adhesives and finishes and ones that don't have synthetic formaldehyde resins.

Use paint with low-VOC or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds). No-VOC paint is generally a little more expensive than conventional paint, while low-VOC paint is about the same price. Here are just a few companies that manufacture Low- and No-VOC Paints:

• Benjamin Moore & Co. - Pristine® Eco-Spec®
• BioShield Paints
• Home Depot
• Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
• Sherwin-Williams - HealthSpec® paints

Most major paint companies have a line of Low- and No-VOC Paints. Manufacturers are endeavoring to meet the demand for Green products. They are becoming increasingly affordable too. Research products on the Internet before you decide what you are going to use in a kitchen remodel. It's all about choice.

Good ventilation is an integral part of building a Green kitchen. Proper ventilation will help maintain superior indoor air quality.

Another quick growing renewable resource that is used for cabinets is bamboo. You can contact the bamboo cabinet manufacturer about special glue options for individuals with chemical sensitivities. AlterECO and PureGrass Series Cabinetry are just two of the many companies that are innovating modern bamboo cabinetry. 

7. Green Kitchen Products:
Cork flooring is durable, comfortable under foot and is a terrific insulator for both sound and heat. Cork is also hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly, making it a great Green flooring product.

Concrete is another smart Green kitchen product. It does not give off harmful fumes because it doesn't contain glues or laminates. Concrete has many different applications. It is not a "cheap man's option" anymore; it is a designer's choice. There are many patterned concrete flooring options available. Why not research color and pattern options for this Green product? Concrete is also commonly used in countertop applications.

Countertops and backsplash are going Green too. Vertrazzo is an attractive solid terrazzo countertop made from recycled glass and cast concrete. Vertrazzo is as tough as granite, but not as porous as marble, making it a strong Green choice for the kitchen.

There are a number of eco-friendly companies out there that make glass tiles out of recycled glass that make stunning backsplashes. Glass tiles do not give off emissions and they won't damage indoor air quality. Consult the manufacturer's instruction guide for instructions on proper installation and to ensure you are using a glue product that will not yellow.

Green products are becoming more readily available on the market. Have fun researching more Green design options for your kitchen remodel!