5 Tips for an Eco Friendly Kitchen Update

You’re ready to update and upgrade your kitchen, and you want to minimize your carbon footprint while you do it. With so many sustainable options, this is easier than you think! Our cabinet refacing company in Raleigh is sharing 5 tips for an eco-friendly kitchen update that will still add beauty and value to your home.

Choose VOC Free Paint

Look for a paint that does not contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These compounds are found in liquids and solids that, over time, are emitted as colorless, often odorless gases. These compounds are highly concentrated indoors and can lead to headaches, dizziness, and even respiratory problems after prolonged exposure. VOCs are found in paint, solvents, and cleaning products, so choosing a VOC-free paint will help you create a healthier, cleaner home. Sherwin Williams Harmony and Behr Premium Plus Low Odor paints are excellent, easily accessible options that are available in a wide variety of colors.

Choose Sustainable Flooring

If you plan on changing out your current kitchen flooring, choose a replacement that is sustainably sourced, responsibly manufactured, and has a long life span with minimal maintenance. Our favorites include:

• Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that is highly renewable, and it makes an incredibly durable, attractive flooring option. This option is great for open floor plans when you want to carry your kitchen flooring through the dining and living areas.
• Linoleum is produced from linseed oil, a natural byproduct of the flax plant, so it’s a very sustainable option. Long-lasting, low-maintenance, and easy to recycle at the end of its life, linoleum is making a major comeback, especially over vinyl sheet and tile options. Plus, it’s now available in a huge assortment of styles, designs, and colors.
• Natural stone tiles are a classic option for kitchens and because it’s naturally produced from the earth, there’s a minimal environmental impact. We do recommend choosing a stone that is sourced in the United States rather than overseas to minimize the environmental impact of shipping.

Choose Eco-friendly Countertops

If your current laminate or unattractive stone countertops need to go, there are several eco-friendly countertop materials to choose from.

• Bamboo countertops, like the flooring, are durable, easy to care for, and highly renewable. Plus, if the counter gets scratched or stained, those flaws can be buffed or sanded.
• Stainless steel can be recycled and reused repeatedly, making it one of the most sustainable materials on the market, and it makes a great option for a modern or contemporary kitchen.
• Paper composite is a newer material in which paper and recycled wood fiber is compressed and baked into large slabs, then coated in a non-petroleum resin for optimal durability. These countertops are an eco-friendly alternative to stone and require little maintenance and care.

Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

When you’re looking at appliances for your eco-friendly kitchen remodel, choose energy-efficient options, such as a convection oven that uses 20 percent less energy than a traditional option or a bottom-freezer refrigerator over a side-by-side model. Be sure to look for the EnergyStar® rating for appliances that are the most efficient solutions which will decrease your carbon footprint and may save you hundreds of dollars on your utility bills each year.

Choose Cabinet Refacing Over Cabinet Replacement

Your kitchen cabinets may not be what you want in your updated kitchen, but there’s no need to throw them into the landfill. Kitchen cabinet refacing gives your cabinets an entirely new look without the waste, cost, and hassle of replacing them. During this process, the cabinet doors and drawer faces are removed and new ones are crafted to replace them. At the same time, the cabinet frames and boxes are carefully covered in thin strips of natural wood (rather than laminate or melamine) that have been painted to your color preference to completely cover the existing cabinetry. The new doors and drawers are then installed with soft-close hinges and new hardware to complete the transformation.

Get a Free Quote for Cabinet Refacing

If you would like to update or upgrade your cabinetry without the waste or expense of having new cabinets installed, we can help. Get a free quote for cabinet refacing in your home today by calling  919–809–6161 or filling out the form below to learn more about our services.