New Kitchens

The new kitchen might be called ‘The New Green Kitchen,’ with people turning more frequently to environmentally friendly appliances and other green items for the area. There are additional appliances aside from the energy star refrigerator and dishwasher.

One idea is to put a compost pail under the counter. This will allow for scraps of food to be placed in the container. More and more people are adding televisions and phones to their kitchen. Many of these are also energy star rated and might be considered when buying them for your new kitchen. The dishwasher or the ‘hand’ dish washer might consider using liquid soap and detergent which is ecologically friendly. Instead of using paper plates and paper towels these can easily be replaced with rinse rags.

Your new green kitchen can also have countertops made with green materials.

This is another way to minimize the impact on our environment. This type of countertop is made ‘tree free.’ Instead of previous components used to put in the countertop there are now paper-based countertops using sustainable wood. This material is actually more durable and harder than wood.

Another choice for a countertop is recycled aluminum. They offer heat resistance. They are stain-proof and they are extremely sturdy. You can find companies who recycle aluminum and mix it with resins. This creates a colored, solid surface countertop. Another choice is to incorporate compostite countertops. This allows for a multi-color effect. The product is made from recycled glass. One of the less expensive green counterboards available is that of a recycled particle board laminate countertop. It is sealed with a water-based glue. More options will become available as the manufacturers are realizing there is a demand for these countertop fabrications. The bottom line is this: they are aiming for a recycled product with low emissions offering a very low price.

When your house is in the design stage you can ask the contractor to equip it with energy efficient windows. Also, installing a skylight to provide you with natural light while also minimizing your electrical bill. Talk to your designer about the kitchen cabinets. Although most cabinet manufacturers are behind in the green movement their plans are in the works. Some of those more green friendly that are presently available offer certified wood cabinets with low VOCs as well as the low VOC in some new wheatboard cabinets. Cabinet makers, thinking green, lower the environmental impact of their products during the manufacturing process. They are working to reduce the formaldehyde level.

When considering your flooring you might opt for bamboo. Other choices include cork and linoleum. There is also the new reclaimed flooring which offers a mix of FSC certified wood from around the world. Many contractors believe that linoleum, because of its low price offering high environmental benefits, is the solid choice in the green world. Plumbing is another consideration. If you install a touchless faucet you can also add an aerator. The stainless steel or cast iron sink might be replaced with a recycled content hammered copper sink. As it ages it develops a natural patina that is green. Adjoining the sink you need to consider the backsplash. One idea for this is recycled glass. This can make a beautiful backsplash. Finally, when in the drawing stage, tell the contractor you want to have a vent installed to the outside. This will improve the quality of your indoor air.