Which Alternative Materials Could I Use for My Kitchen Carcasses?
Never considered what a kitchen’s ‘skeleton’ is made of? It could be time... Let this array of eco materials inspire you
With so many decisions about your new kitchen’s aesthetic to make, the perfect worktop and door 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, from ply to strawboard. Your design professional will advise you, but it’s worth understanding the choices you have that will affect your kitchen’s sustainability as well as its look.
Professional advice from: Felicity White of Felicity White Interiors; Mark Byers of Oliver Green Kitchens; Tim Burgess of Zero Kitchens; Rob Cole of Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens; Douglas Sutherland of Koivu
However, there may be more options than you’re aware of, each working for different styles, budgets and levels of sustainability, from ply to strawboard. Your design professional will advise you, but it’s worth understanding the choices you have that will affect your kitchen’s sustainability as well as its look.
Professional advice from: Felicity White of Felicity White Interiors; Mark Byers of Oliver Green Kitchens; Tim Burgess of Zero Kitchens; Rob Cole of Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens; Douglas Sutherland of Koivu
Do you see a growing interest in using alternative materials?
“I wouldn’t say it’s high on clients’ agendas at the moment,” Felicity says. “We’re seeing more people interested in using more sustainable materials across the home, but we tend to see this in home accessories rather than the big ticket items. Plus, kitchens are typically the most expensive rooms to fit out, so adding on higher material costs tends to stretch budgets a little too much.”
However, Mark Byers is seeing more interest. “Our growth in enquiries certainly suggests more people are seeking cabinets that are made from materials that have lower VOC emissions and don’t have any or very little formaldehyde,” he says.
Ready to refresh your kitchen? Check out customer reviews and project photos for kitchen designers in your area.
“I wouldn’t say it’s high on clients’ agendas at the moment,” Felicity says. “We’re seeing more people interested in using more sustainable materials across the home, but we tend to see this in home accessories rather than the big ticket items. Plus, kitchens are typically the most expensive rooms to fit out, so adding on higher material costs tends to stretch budgets a little too much.”
However, Mark Byers is seeing more interest. “Our growth in enquiries certainly suggests more people are seeking cabinets that are made from materials that have lower VOC emissions and don’t have any or very little formaldehyde,” he says.
Ready to refresh your kitchen? Check out customer reviews and project photos for kitchen designers in your area.
What are the alternatives?
Plywood “Plywood is a very stable material due to the cross-laminated sheets it’s made of, which mean it doesn’t tend to move or swell under normal circumstances,” Rob Cole says.
“Veneered plywood is similar to veneered MDF [see below], but stronger and more water-resistant,” Douglas Sutherland adds. “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,” Douglas explains, adding that it’s likely to be reused when the kitchen is changed.
Plywood “Plywood is a very stable material due to the cross-laminated sheets it’s made of, which mean it doesn’t tend to move or swell under normal circumstances,” Rob Cole says.
“Veneered plywood is similar to veneered MDF [see below], but stronger and more water-resistant,” Douglas Sutherland adds. “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,” Douglas explains, adding that it’s likely to be reused when the kitchen is changed.
Solid timber Rob 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 onsite,” 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.”
Rob 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 Felicity says some of the more premium high street 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.”
*Depending on the type of plywood used; check yours doesn’t contain formaldehyde and seek out FSC ply.
Rob 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 Felicity says some of the more premium high street 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.”
*Depending on the type of plywood used; check yours doesn’t contain formaldehyde and seek out FSC ply.
Strawboard This is just one name used to describe what’s often bundled together under the term ‘ecoboard’ (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).
Tim 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 – manufactured by Dekodur – an Osmo wood wax stain finish, or a VOC-free paint.”
More: Which Sustainable Flooring Should I Choose?
Tim 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 – manufactured by Dekodur – an Osmo wood wax stain finish, or a VOC-free paint.”
More: Which Sustainable Flooring Should I Choose?
Tim says the downside of this product, seen here in this Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens cabinet 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.
He is, however, positive about its benefits, and some of the smaller kitchen design companies are starting to use 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.
More: Which Alternative Materials Could I Use to Insulate My Extension?
He is, however, positive about its benefits, and some of the smaller kitchen design companies are starting to use 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.
More: Which Alternative Materials Could I Use to Insulate My Extension?
Veneered MDF “This is used by [some] premium bespoke companies due to its expensive look when lacquered,” Douglas says. “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,” Douglas explains. “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,” Douglas explains. “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 launched formaldehyde-free, rice-straw-based composite panels,” Felicity says. “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,” Tim says. “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 worktops [and door fronts, as seen here], 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,” Tim continues. “However, we need to do a lot more research on its suitability and the investment level required before we jump on board with it.
“We’re also looking at a biodegradable flax-based laminate, which is pretty cool,” he adds. “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,” Mark says. “It’s already used extensively for doors and end panels in our eco-friendly kitchens. I really like it.”
Tell us…
What kind of cabinet carcass material would you choose for your next kitchen? Let us know in the Comments.
“In the US, CalPlant has launched formaldehyde-free, rice-straw-based composite panels,” Felicity says. “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,” Tim says. “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 worktops [and door fronts, as seen here], 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,” Tim continues. “However, we need to do a lot more research on its suitability and the investment level required before we jump on board with it.
“We’re also looking at a biodegradable flax-based laminate, which is pretty cool,” he adds. “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,” Mark says. “It’s already used extensively for doors and end panels in our eco-friendly kitchens. I really like it.”
Tell us…
What kind of cabinet carcass material would you choose for your next kitchen? Let us know in the Comments.
“MFC [melamine faced chipboard] is the staple of high-street kitchens, with a veneer or plastic laminate on top being popular,” Felicity White says. “[Chipboard] is a really popular material because it’s 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,” Felicity says. 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.
Felicity also 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.