(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
green(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
This question comes from Hugh:
My partner and I are planning a new kitchen at the moment and wondered if anyone knows of more environmentally friendly and affordable alternatives to chipboard/melamine? We are looking at IKEA kitchens
but I don't like the sound of the environmental impacts of the glue that the chipboard is filled with. Since the kitchen is for an extension we will likely demolish in 5-10 years, there's even more reason to use materials that can be more easily broken down or re-purposed...
The Handbook of Sustainable Building says that solid timber alternatives to chipboard/melamine combinations cost around four times as much in general - I'm wondering if that has changed since the book
was published in 1996? Has anyone seen any plywood or solid wood kitchens?
Green kitchens: There is so much information on the topic, we're tempted to post 3 dozen links to information on green choices for countertops, flooring, and cabinetry. If you're willing to spend the time, we're certain you can find some good deals. As an alternative to IKEA's chipboard, a popular green choice is wheatboard (there's quite a bit of info on the subject at GreenHomeGuide). Concrete countertops are also economical and green. And for green kitchen flooring, we love marmoleum and cork.
And don't rule out the second R (reuse): Spend some time hunting at salvage yards -- they're a great place to save money, stay green, and find something more unique than you might anywhere else.
This is a very incomplete answer to a detailed question ... we're hoping readers can fill in the holes!
i'd second the "reuse" call... you might want to check with some local reuse yards (urban ore, here in berkeley) to see what's available... also, ikea offers the udden line which is (mostly) stainless steel and light and airy (read: less shipping/less material) and has a potential reuse in a potting shed or garage (or in the free section on craigslist which is where our udden counter/sink went... and lasted 8 minutes before someone claimed it).
view redneckmodern's profile
You could always just order new doors/drawer fronts for Ikea cabinets when you want to redo the kitchen, like you want to change from brown slab doors to white shaker doors and keep the same footprint.
view kaanswfm's profile
We are in the midst of completing a cost-conscious bathroom reno using as many less-impactful priducts as possible. Our cabinets were unfortunately beyond repair, so refacing was not an option. We investigated cabinets made from Plyboo, put the price was just too dear. We ended up going with IKEA kitchen cabinets after learning through e-mail correspondence with the company that their cabinets are made in accordance with the European E1 standard for formaldehyde offgassing, which is apparently very stringent.
I would second (third?) the re-use option -- do you have a Habitat for Humanity Restore in your neck of the woods?
view Kevrona's profile
I, personally, love the clean look of just shelves in the kitchen. You get to show off your dinnerware, get a versatile, clean modern look and use only minimal materials. They can also easily be made of reclaimed or repurposed items.
I also like that it would force me to keep things looking tidy and cute and keep my stockpiling to a minimum!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/94663414_30dd7de033.jpg?v=0
http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/Kitchen_storage_solutions_143457.html
view deirdre's profile
Habitat for Humanity's ReStore often has great kitchens. If you remove good cabinets, see if they'll take them. Find a good carpenter and see if your existing cabinets are re-usable. Mine aren't, so I plan to haunt ReStore for replacement.
view theora55's profile
Thanks everyone for the comments. We are now considering re-using what we can of the few existing cabinets, and potentially building a few new cabinet frames from new or recycled timber. I'm not convinced about the shelving option - it's aesthetically good, but the dust is too much work in my opinion.
I'll post back with our progress when we get a bit further (we just knocked down an internal wall to adjoin two rooms, so we now have the space ready to go).
view hughbert's profile