For all of the cabinet boxes, shelving and drawer boxes we’re using a pre-finished FSC certified (Forest Stewardship Council) plywood that contains a “no-added urea-formaldehyde” glue (NAUF) and they are finished with a No VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) finish.  The doors and drawer fronts in Stables Office and Feed Room are in the shaker style crafted out of FSC certified solid knotty alder.  All of the drawer boxes are made with half-blind dovetails which insures strong and durable joinery.  The cabinets in the shop part of the barn are made from FSC certified particle board melamine with NAUF glues from the Collins Company.

The hardware, including the hinges, slides, handles and knobs are another integral part of cabinetry.  These cabinets are equipped with Blum hinges and slides.  The handles, pulls and knobs made by various manufacturers are made of the highest quality materials designed for long lasting use.  Blum is an American based company that sets the industry standard with cabinet hardware that is used all over the world.  Blum is the world’s first supplier to the cabinet furniture industry that meets Europe’s Environmental Management Systems (EMAS) criteria.  Most importantly, high quality hardware and materials like the ones used to make these cabinets means that they will last for a long time.  Longevity is a key element of eco-friendly construction.  The longer our homes and offices last and work well, the less energy, material, time and money it will take to repair, and rebuild them.  This also cuts down on having to manage the waste and debris that goes into dumps and land fills from broken, worn out, and inefficient buildings.

Most people spend 90% of their time indoors.  As we build our spaces more energy efficient, tighter and with less air infiltration, we tend to “lock” in gases that are created by products and materials that are in our homes and offices.  Using items that are VOC free contributes to a healthier living environment and better indoor air quality.  Using high quality, well engineered and designed hardware and materials insures long lasting use and operation.  Using sustainably harvested materials will help to preserve and protect our environment for our future and our children’s future.  Please see below for more information.

Purebond- A no-added urea-formaldehyde (NAUF) glue devised by and Oregon State University assistant professor named, Kaichang Li.  He looked at mussels attached to rocks int the ocean and wondered how they held on through all of the waves and turbulence they encountered.  Analyzing the mussels and using bio-mimicry he created a glue based from soy flour that is now used in many plywoods today.

VOC- Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted as gases from different solid and liquid compounds.  Many of these compounds are known to cause short and long-term  negative health effects.

Collins Company- A family owned lumber company started in 1855 in Pennsylvania currently most active in Oregon and California, they are now one of the leading FSC certified suppliers of wood.  Their pine FreeForm product is a FSC certified  particle board with NAUF glues. www.collinsco.com

Green Goods made all of the cabinetry discussed in this article.  Green Goods is a small independently owned and operated business specializing in sustainable and eco-friendly interior building materials particularly tile, flooring and cabinetry.  For more information about them check out their website.  www.slogreengoods.com