Pro Panel: What's New in Eco Alternatives for Kitchen Carcasses
Ever considered what a kitchen’s ‘skeleton’ is made of? Now's the time, with eco materials to inspire from the UK and US
Kate Burt
9 April 2021
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
With so many decisions about your new kitchen’s aesthetic to make, the perfect benchtop and cupboard fronts may be higher on your wish list than the material used to construct the interior of your cabinets. However, there may be more options than you’re aware of, each working for different styles, budgets and levels of sustainability.
Your kitchen designer will advise you on the pros, cons and local availability, but it’s worth understanding your options first, which will affect your kitchen’s sustainability as well as its look. Houzz spoke to five UK-based professionals for the lowdown – Felicity White of Felicity White Interiors; Mark Byers of Oliver Green Kitchens; Tim Burgess of Zero Kitchens; Rob Cole of Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens; and Douglas Sutherland of Koivu and compared materials to the ones commonly used in the AU to understand what’s on the horizon.
Your kitchen designer will advise you on the pros, cons and local availability, but it’s worth understanding your options first, which will affect your kitchen’s sustainability as well as its look. Houzz spoke to five UK-based professionals for the lowdown – Felicity White of Felicity White Interiors; Mark Byers of Oliver Green Kitchens; Tim Burgess of Zero Kitchens; Rob Cole of Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens; and Douglas Sutherland of Koivu and compared materials to the ones commonly used in the AU to understand what’s on the horizon.
What’s the most commonly used material for kitchen cabinet carcasses?
“MFC [melamine faced chipboard] is the staple of [most] kitchens, with a veneer or plastic laminate on top being popular,” says White of kitchens designed in the UK. “[Chipboard] is a really popular material because its low cost, uniform compared to plywood and solid wood, stable and strong – composite woods don’t warp to the same degree as solid wood – and damage-resistant.”
On the downside, however, in terms of its environmental and health impact, chipboard typically contains formaldehyde. “This off-gasses hazardous emissions for years, impacting air quality in your home,” says White. It also can’t be recycled nor easily reused, and it can be prone to splinter when screws or nails are driven into the surface.
White points out that moisture retention can be an issue. “However, most kitchen cabinets are well sealed with a veneer, which reduces the risk of swelling if the cabinets come into contact with water,” she says.
MFC is not a go-to material for kitchen carcasses in Australia or New Zealand.
“MFC [melamine faced chipboard] is the staple of [most] kitchens, with a veneer or plastic laminate on top being popular,” says White of kitchens designed in the UK. “[Chipboard] is a really popular material because its low cost, uniform compared to plywood and solid wood, stable and strong – composite woods don’t warp to the same degree as solid wood – and damage-resistant.”
On the downside, however, in terms of its environmental and health impact, chipboard typically contains formaldehyde. “This off-gasses hazardous emissions for years, impacting air quality in your home,” says White. It also can’t be recycled nor easily reused, and it can be prone to splinter when screws or nails are driven into the surface.
White points out that moisture retention can be an issue. “However, most kitchen cabinets are well sealed with a veneer, which reduces the risk of swelling if the cabinets come into contact with water,” she says.
MFC is not a go-to material for kitchen carcasses in Australia or New Zealand.
What are the alternatives?
Plywood: Plywood is an environmentally friendly alternative that has been embraced in Australia and New Zealand, not only for kitchen carcasses but in the cabinetry and cupboard fronts themselves. “Plywood is a very stable material due to the cross-laminated sheets it’s made of, which means it doesn’t tend to move or swell under normal circumstances,” says Cole.
“Veneered plywood is similar to veneered MDF [see below], but stronger and more water-resistant,” says Sutherland. “The plywood core could be poplar, birch or generic hardwood.
“Birch plywood is becoming more popular, usually sourced from farmed woodland in Scandinavia or eastern Europe. It can be veneered, oiled, lacquered or finished with a waterproof coating,” says Sutherland, adding that it’s likely to be reused when the kitchen is changed.
Plywood: Plywood is an environmentally friendly alternative that has been embraced in Australia and New Zealand, not only for kitchen carcasses but in the cabinetry and cupboard fronts themselves. “Plywood is a very stable material due to the cross-laminated sheets it’s made of, which means it doesn’t tend to move or swell under normal circumstances,” says Cole.
“Veneered plywood is similar to veneered MDF [see below], but stronger and more water-resistant,” says Sutherland. “The plywood core could be poplar, birch or generic hardwood.
“Birch plywood is becoming more popular, usually sourced from farmed woodland in Scandinavia or eastern Europe. It can be veneered, oiled, lacquered or finished with a waterproof coating,” says Sutherland, adding that it’s likely to be reused when the kitchen is changed.
Solid timber: Cole explains that this is a more complex material to work with. “It’s essential to ensure the timber has the right moisture content while it’s being worked, to minimise any movement once it’s installed on-site,” he says. “If the room where it’s installed varies significantly in humidity and temperature to the one in which [the cabinet] was created, it can be prone to moving, which could cause problems.”
Cole adds that choosing good-quality timber is also key. “I’d be very wary of cheap solid-timber products, as it’s likely they won’t have been produced with the care and understanding to avoid movement problems further down the line,” he says.
Timber-framed ply panels: White says some of the more premium kitchen suppliers are using timber-framed ply panels instead of MFC. “These are long-lasting, stronger and healthier, but a large upfront investment compared to MFC cabinets,” she says. “Unfortunately, this means those on small to medium budgets are priced out.”
The ‘health’ White speaks of above depends on the type of plywood used, so if you’re interested in using this material, check yours doesn’t contain formaldehyde and seek out ply certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Cole adds that choosing good-quality timber is also key. “I’d be very wary of cheap solid-timber products, as it’s likely they won’t have been produced with the care and understanding to avoid movement problems further down the line,” he says.
Timber-framed ply panels: White says some of the more premium kitchen suppliers are using timber-framed ply panels instead of MFC. “These are long-lasting, stronger and healthier, but a large upfront investment compared to MFC cabinets,” she says. “Unfortunately, this means those on small to medium budgets are priced out.”
The ‘health’ White speaks of above depends on the type of plywood used, so if you’re interested in using this material, check yours doesn’t contain formaldehyde and seek out ply certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).
Strawboard: This is just one name used to describe what’s often bundled together under the term ‘ecoboard’ in the UK (though ECOBoard is, in fact, a brand name of a product that uses agricultural residues, such as straw or reeds, compressed and bonded to make solid panels).
Burgess favours ECOBoard for his company’s kitchens. “All of our carcasses are made with it,” he says. “We then finish them with either a recyclable laminate … an Osmo wood wax stain finish, or a VOC-free paint.”
Burgess favours ECOBoard for his company’s kitchens. “All of our carcasses are made with it,” he says. “We then finish them with either a recyclable laminate … an Osmo wood wax stain finish, or a VOC-free paint.”
Burgess says the downside of this product (seen here in this Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens cabinet in the UK and also used inside the cabinets in the Zero Kitchens design above) is that it’s a bit more expensive than chipboard and isn’t nearly as widely available.
As in the UK, strawboard is not yet widely used or available in kitchen designs across Australia or New Zealand.
Burgess is, however, positive about its benefits, and some of the smaller kitchen design companies in the UK are starting to adopt the product. “It out-performs chipboard and MDF on a host of other fronts, has a better screw-holding capacity, great fire resistance and greater moisture resistance, so there are more subtle benefits to be had other than the obvious eco-friendly ones,” he says.
Browse beautifully designed Australian kitchens
As in the UK, strawboard is not yet widely used or available in kitchen designs across Australia or New Zealand.
Burgess is, however, positive about its benefits, and some of the smaller kitchen design companies in the UK are starting to adopt the product. “It out-performs chipboard and MDF on a host of other fronts, has a better screw-holding capacity, great fire resistance and greater moisture resistance, so there are more subtle benefits to be had other than the obvious eco-friendly ones,” he says.
Browse beautifully designed Australian kitchens
Veneered MDF: Here’s one alternative that has already been adopted in Australia and New Zealand: veneered MDF. “This is used by [some] premium bespoke companies due to its expensive look when lacquered,” says Sutherland of kitchens designed in the UK. “It’s generally not water-resistant, so has the same swelling and screw over-tightening issues as MFC.”
MDF is sustainable in that it’s made from wood waste, but it can be difficult to recycle. Though traditionally MDF panels contained added formaldehyde (on top of the low levels naturally present), the material is now widely available without.
Pine- or oak-laminated panels: These consist of wood staves glued together. “These panels are solid wood, but need finishing with wax, oil or lacquer,” says Sutherland. “Small painted-kitchen companies will often use them. They will take a screw much better for hinges and so on, and they can be recycled or repurposed, as they’re wood.”
MDF is sustainable in that it’s made from wood waste, but it can be difficult to recycle. Though traditionally MDF panels contained added formaldehyde (on top of the low levels naturally present), the material is now widely available without.
Pine- or oak-laminated panels: These consist of wood staves glued together. “These panels are solid wood, but need finishing with wax, oil or lacquer,” says Sutherland. “Small painted-kitchen companies will often use them. They will take a screw much better for hinges and so on, and they can be recycled or repurposed, as they’re wood.”
Are there any exciting new developments in the pipeline?
“In the US, CalPlant has recently launched formaldehyde-free, rice-straw-based composite panels,” says White. “Rice straw is an agro-waste product, so this material is environmentally sound and, without the nasty formaldehyde, better for air quality. If this process can be rolled out on a mass scale, it could be revolutionary.”
“We’re looking for new sustainable materials all the time and bamboo looks like it could be a good fit,” says Burgess. “It’s a grass, not a wood, and it grows incredibly quickly, so it can swiftly be replaced in the natural environment.
“It has a good integral strength, too, and is becoming more readily available, so is one to watch for carcasses in the future,” he says. “People are already familiar with it for [benchtops and door fronts, as seen above and below], but it’s time to look outside the box for other uses for many products.
“In the US, CalPlant has recently launched formaldehyde-free, rice-straw-based composite panels,” says White. “Rice straw is an agro-waste product, so this material is environmentally sound and, without the nasty formaldehyde, better for air quality. If this process can be rolled out on a mass scale, it could be revolutionary.”
“We’re looking for new sustainable materials all the time and bamboo looks like it could be a good fit,” says Burgess. “It’s a grass, not a wood, and it grows incredibly quickly, so it can swiftly be replaced in the natural environment.
“It has a good integral strength, too, and is becoming more readily available, so is one to watch for carcasses in the future,” he says. “People are already familiar with it for [benchtops and door fronts, as seen above and below], but it’s time to look outside the box for other uses for many products.
“Mycelium [a fungus] is also proving to be a very interesting product, with a potentially very broad range of applications,” says Burgess. “However, we need to do a lot more research on its suitability and the investment level required before we jump onboard with it.
“We’re also looking at a biodegradable flax-based laminate, which is pretty cool,” he says. “There are products coming to market the whole time that are engaging the need and desire for all areas of sustainable manufacture.”
“OSB [oriented strand board, a material made from wood shavings bonded with resins and wax] is a really interesting option for people looking for an industrial look,” says Byers. “It’s already used extensively for doors and end panels in our eco-friendly kitchens. I really like it.”
Your turn
What kind of cabinet carcass material would you choose for your next kitchen? Let us know in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more practical kitchen advice? Don’t miss 8 Dos and Don’ts for a Well-Functioning Butler’s Pantry
“We’re also looking at a biodegradable flax-based laminate, which is pretty cool,” he says. “There are products coming to market the whole time that are engaging the need and desire for all areas of sustainable manufacture.”
“OSB [oriented strand board, a material made from wood shavings bonded with resins and wax] is a really interesting option for people looking for an industrial look,” says Byers. “It’s already used extensively for doors and end panels in our eco-friendly kitchens. I really like it.”
Your turn
What kind of cabinet carcass material would you choose for your next kitchen? Let us know in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more practical kitchen advice? Don’t miss 8 Dos and Don’ts for a Well-Functioning Butler’s Pantry
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probably OSB I think.
What about bricks and mortar?
Lynda- Not sure how bricks and mortar would be used to create cabinets?