5 Ways to Go Green During Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

From fabulous kitchen cabinets to gorgeous new countertops, a kitchen remodeling project can be as simple as a new floor or as complex as an entire kitchen addition. But with so many ways to remodel your kitchen, there is bound to be some ways in which your remodeling project is damaging to the environment. Even some materials that are thought of to be green like plywood, commonly used laminates and appliances can all be filled with pitfalls and problems that can make your new kitchen not so green after all.

Engineered Flooring

A commonly installed item in new kitchens and remodels is engineered flooring. Basic wood laminates and other engineered flooring materials are cheap and easy to install. Unfortunately, they can also be bad for the environment. Many laminates have dangerous chemicals and solvents that are not only bad for the environment; they can also ruin your kitchens indoor air quality. Opt for all natural wood materials like cork or pine to ensure that you're getting the greenest materials available.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are often a great way to remodel your kitchen, but with the way many cabinets are built using laminates and other adhesives, they can be extremely damaging to the environment during their manufacturing and disposal. All wood cabinets may be more costly in the long run, but you'll be getting a more sturdy cabinet that holds its value much better than laminate cabinetry. And since it's made from all natural materials, you can be sure it's the greenest building material available.

Tiles

Tiles are a big part of any kitchen remodeling project. From kitchen flooring tiles to the backsplash, tiles play an important role in any kitchen. But instead of using ceramic or acrylic tiles that are manufactured using lots of resources that creates tons of greenhouse gases annually, it's a good idea to consider alternate materials. Clay saltillo tiles use natural resources, reduce the need for large factory production methods and are an affordable alternative to conventional tile materials.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring tiles and sheets can be an affordable and good looking way to cover your kitchen flooring. But vinyl can be one of the worst ways to decorate your kitchen because of its harsh chemical process and years of off-gassing in the home. Linoleum is a much greener solution with the same effect-a good looking material that is cost effective. Linoleum is made from wood flour and natural adhesives, ensuring you get the greenest flooring material for a great price.

Appliances

Many people opt to not replace their old appliances due to the cost. But if you have appliances that are over 5 years old, you may find that newer and more energy efficient models are available. More often than not, you can get a government tax rebate by purchasing EnergyStar appliances and save big bucks annually with your new energy savings.