Healthy Kitchens and Baths
A guide to materials for flooring, countertops, cabinetry, and more that benefit people and are better for the environment.

Synopsis: Sustainability educator Annette K. Stelmack offers a comprehensive guide to materials for flooring, counters, cabinetry, and wet areas that are natural, recycled, low-impact, and/or renewable. The articles includes a list of directories for finding products that meet environmental and health benchmarks, and as well as specific manufacturers and products that have reputable certification of health and environmental effects by outside organizations.
Kitchen and bath design is frequently driven by the look and cost of materials. While that formula may have worked fine in the past, today’s homes are built for better energy efficiency, which means they are more airtight. This increases the importance of picking materials and products that don’t foul the air and harm the health of a home’s occupants. It’s equally imperative to understand that our natural resources are dwindling, and that we can manage the environmental impact of a kitchen or bath project through considered…
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