After 10 years of working in a cramped 1950s kitchen, the owners of this kitchen gave it a sustainable update. They reused the existing appliances, but installed double-pane, low-energy windows; cotton and cellulose insulation containing 85% recycled, renewable materials; custom wheatboard cabinets (a formaldehyde-free particleboard made of wheat straw, an agricultural waste product); linoleum floor tiles made of cellulose and linseed oil (very durable and easy to care for); and Fireslate countertops, a cement-based material that has a lower embodied energy than the stone it replaces...
I'm getting to be a little tired of extensive remodeling that masquerades as "green." Agreed the double windows and insulation are certainly needed.
It's true they used many green products but wouldn't some low VOC paint, elbow grease, and saving their old counters, cabinets, and appliances be better overall? Buying new to replace functionally OK isn't green-re-use is usually better. Where did all that old stuff go? Landfill?
Sorry, I'm not convinced.
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