Environmentally Green Woodworking
Many expert cabinet builders – skilled at their craft and anxious to please customers- can miss opportunities to execute the same projects in much more environmentally friendly ways. Custom Cabinetry is frequently built of quality hard-wood materials that can last for generations. Of course for the environment, long lasting products are good – they don’t have to be replaced by other manufactured products. Custom cabinet builders at our New York Custom Furniture center use several tactics to stay ‘green.’
Woodworking can be made much more environmentally friendly in just a few simple ways. Careful management of the resources provided by the lumber and construction materials industry can also improve the quality of materials produced. Good hardwood construction materials last for generations when well-constructed and installed. Now these benefits can be delivered to discriminating customers while minimizing environmental impact.
Environmentally acceptable manufacturing processes have received a great deal of attention in most industries. Woodwork and cabinet building is no exception. While timber is a renewable resource several ways have been identified in which woodworkers can deliver quality products and still minimize environmental impact. Three primary areas of concern have emerged as the top ‘green’ criteria for cabinet builders. These are: Responsibly Farmed Hardwoods, Recycled Material, and materials free of the chemical Formaldehyde.
Responsibly Grown Woods – Harvesting processes that both ensure efficient use of the cut lumber while providing for rapid regrowth and reforestation are common techniques to minimize environmental impact. Because timber is a renewable resource doesn’t always mean that best practices are always followed however. So making sure that the hardwoods being used in a given project are from a responsible manufacturer/processer can go a long way.
Recycled Core Materials – Manufacturers have developed many different types of composite building materials – some of which contain recycled or reclaimed materials from other processes. Use of these materials reduces waste and improves the production yield for the volume of wood and by products produced. Improving efficiencies are good business practices as well. Including recycled matter in composite materials works for all involved in the manufacture and delivery of quality woodwork.
Core Materials that are Formaldehyde Free – Who doesn’t want to breathe air free of harsh chemicals? Composite materials manufactured under heat and pressure, have sometimes contained Formaldehyde that is used in the manufacturing processes. Technical advances in manufacturing have now allowed producers of composite materials to deliver good quality building products that don’t use Formaldehyde.
Using these three practices, craftsmen can produce excellent quality woodwork products and still improve the environmental impact of the entire project. Even in custom cabinet making and woodworking, small changes to industry ‘best practices’ can mean significant improvement for all.
Hat Factory Furniture delivers fine cabinetry, wood furniture, custom kitchens and wall units to demanding clients in the New York area. Our New York Built Ins increase value and add years of enjoyment for homeowners throughout the area. Contact us with questions or visit our website!
