Environmentally friendly, high quality cabinetry arrives in the Lowcountry

By Carol Weir: The Island Packet

Gleaming rare wood combined with fine craftsmanship used to pose an ethical dilemma for environmentally conscious homeowners looking to purchase new cabinets. Fine cabinetry made from exotic hardwoods increases the resale value of a house and is a source of joy for those living in the home. But some buyers worried about the forests that produce the veneers.

People concerned about the trees behind their cabinets can breathe easier now. RDG Kitchen and Bath in Bluffton now carries cabinets by LEED certified NEEF Kitchens. LEED is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of environmentally friendly buildings.

The Canadian cabinet company also was recently certified under the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s environmental stewardship program. Third party verification is required for many of the program’s criteria, which include air quality, and resource management for both factory processes and their finished products. Sustainable forestry practices ensure that wood is harvested in a selective and responsible way that preserves forests over time.

Other homeowners are more concerned about providing a safe environment for their families at home. NEFF cabinets use low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes. Inside the cabinets is marine-grade plywood which is designed to resist humidity in coastal areas. The plywood’s special resin and metal connectors (instead of glue) minimize VOC emissions into the home.

A higher-end product that appeals to homeowners who are building or remodeling a custom home, NEFF cabinets some in both traditional and contemporary designs. Because they are assembled with screws, homeowners can take them with them if desired when moving to a new home, as is the norm in Europe and other regions of the world.

Rose Aten, owner of RDG Kitchen and Bath, said that while doing an entire kitchen in NEFF cabinets is costly, “almost everyone can afford one piece”.

Those on a budget might choose to do just the cabinet under the sink in the guests bathroom, or only a kitchen island, for example.

Other homeowners will use a gorgeous wood such as ash burl as an inlay only, while choosing a less expensive wood for the majority of the cabinet.