Sustainable / Green(er) kitchen remodeling options?

Hi,   In looking into sourcing materials for a small kitchen upgrade, I’ve had trouble finding a good retailer / designer for cabinets, tile, floors and countertops that deals in sustainable materials.  I’ve found some manufacturers around the country who make bamboo cabinets and recycled glass tile and countertops (which is the kind of material that I’m interested in).     I suppose I’m open to hiring someone just to design the kitchen (though I was not planning on hiring an architect for this project) and then purchase all of the materials myself from the manufacturer, and have my contractor do the install.  But it sure would be a lot easier if there was one retailer in the area that dealt in the different kinds of materials that I’m after, so that I can be sure that all of the components come together as they should.     Anyone have any ideas on a retaier / designer that might work out?  I’ve heard bad things about green depot, though I’m open to hearing otherwise.  I would love to hear about any sustainable building materials that have worked out for people.  I am aware of Build It Green, but this project is in a pretty tight space, and I’d prefer to maximize the layout with built-to-spec cabinets. Thanks!

breadbasket

in Interior Decorators and Designers 12 years and 9 months ago

7

Please log in, in order to post replies!

7 replies

Newest Oldest

benjaminbruce36 | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4809 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4828 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177286"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "benjaminbruce36"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bk6xFBZaCF31ypZsPvutdcLMMzrPor."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "benjaminbruce36"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(27) "benjaminbruce3690@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(57) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/benjaminbruce36/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:36:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "benjaminbruce36"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177286)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

For the kitchen upgradation Check it online, It also depends on the age of the kitchen, size and what you want. And for this you can directly contact with the krozak remodeling.

jenblue | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4804 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4818 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178832"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "jenblue"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bhh839UcewNOFhMbIcDyvaZPv/q1QZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "jenblue"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "jenniferbiscoe@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(49) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/jenblue/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:03:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "jenblue"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178832)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

For flooring check out a local manufacturer who makes beautiful cork flooring. The cork tiles are great for kitchens and a very green material.  http://www.CorkFloor.com  for pictures and benefits of cork flooring.

jcm | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4821 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4810 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "29214"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(3) "jcm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bcrlabc2Un3qevNkqPnRCA4zAemiV70"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(3) "jcm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "architect@jmcgroarty.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/architect140/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:46:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(3) "jcm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(29214)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Sustainabilty is complicated and unfortunately being used as a selling technique rather than an actual environmental benefit. Most kitchens, sadly, last many fewer years than the people doing a new kitchen imagine. They move, they sell their apartments and the new buyers frequently don’t like their taste or think the look is dated or want their own new clean kitchen. This is not an indictment of anything – the inside of someone’s five year old kitchen cabinets is not particularly appealing – the honey jar left a sticky ring that’s now encrusted with breadcrumbs and whatever. So if you think this is a short term proposition, I agree with the poster who recommended IKEA. If you think this is a 20 year kitchen, then go for something that has more longevity. I realize that stone or manufactured stone counter tops are de rigeur these days and products such as icestone are appealing because of the recycled glass but we should realize that there is a lot of embdied energy in its production; as there is in quarrying and transporting granite or other stones. I am a fan of maple butcherblock countertops – renewable material from US grown wood and when it gets a little bedraggled looking, you can sand it down and it looks like new. I also acknowledge that it’s not fashionable and you will never find it in a new luxury condo but it is one of the more sustainable countertop choices.

brokelin | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4809 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4811 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "90954"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "brokelin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BukARi5fCxcdKRwwLKRkiawWixLEUK/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "brokelin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "annindc@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/brokelin/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:32:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "brokelin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(90954)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you are willing to find the materials you want, as you seem to be doing already, I would think a good contractor would be able to help you decide the right amounts to order and be able to fit them together well.  You’ll likely get the largest possible selection that way – sourcing your own materials. Make sure the designers you talk to will use the materials you are interested in using. I also love recycled glass countertops, particularly icestone – which is now sold at Ikea – way nicer than granite.

prospectpark | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4804 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4812 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "62537"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "prospectpark"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B1a3z6YdTE37XjGaz0vxhhvCjVZT7M."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "prospectpark"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "danebklyn@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/danebklyn/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:21:46"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "prospectpark"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(62537)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You should check out Gerald at Brooklyn Modern. They build/design custom modern kitchens and have a lot of knowldedge of green materials and finishes. They did quite a bit of work at our place. He can be reached at info@brooklynmodern.com D

greenmountain | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4821 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4813 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "12939"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "greenmountain"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BnKovbg4FcvougATD6kVp72yuOJzcG."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "greenmountain"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "aaron@greenmountain.nyc"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "http://greenmountain.nyc"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "greenmountain"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(12939)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You all heard from me enough today, so just a bit more:  A kitchen lasting only a few years, is not sustainable.  While some materials are produced in more sustainable ways, or transported from closer locations, the goal should be long-lasting esthetically and functionally, and reuse of the existing building.  Making the room and the building last long is the most sustainable goal, as the environmental impact of remodeling the room or tearing down and re-constructing the building over and over is the least sustainable, like cheap consumer goods and real estate speculation.  Materials which last a long time, are not the sort of things which bio-degrade.  They usually consume a lot of resouces to produce.  So do it right the first time.  Consider what the people who live there after you will want, and don’t waste. That’s it from me for a while.

dillettanteinbedstuy | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4809 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4814 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "42190"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(20) "dillettanteinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(20) "dillettanteinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "pape432@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(49) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/pape432/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:51:22"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(20) "dillettanteinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(42190)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

IKEA