1. PresenPresen
tstsSustainable Cabinetry & Millwork
in Green Building Design

2. Who is Green Cabinetworks?
• A design/build firm specializing in sustainable wood products, green
cabinetry & millwork for residential & commercial applications
• Expertise on LEED & NAHB Green projects with a LEED AP &
LEED Green Associate on staff
• FSC Chain of Custody Certified-one of the few woodworking
facilities in the world
• One of the greenest, most environmentally conscious woodworking
companies on the planet through refined capabilities
• 100% of wood waste recycled at our facility, close to 90% of paper
waste & energy efficient lighting system utilized
• Use of all no added formaldehyde stock & water-based finishes
Sustainable Woodwork for a Greener Planet

3. What Makes a Product Green?
• Manufacturer Commitment to Sustainability
• Examine the Product’s Composition
• Raw materials used to make the product?
• Where do they come from?
• Are the materials from renewable resources?
• Is the manufacturing process energy efficient?
• Examine Other Aspects of the Product
• Does the product do the job well?
• How much energy does it use?
• Does the product release VOCs? At what rate?
• How is the product packaged & transported?
• Examine Strategies for Disposal
• Is the product durable? Biodegradable? Recyclable?
• Cost Considerations
• What is the price range for the product?
• Is there a price premium for the product?

4. Wood is a Green Building Product!
Wood is one of the greenest, oldest & most traditional building
products because it…
• Is natural & recyclable: it can be returned to the
Earth to decompose
• Is a renewable, sustainable resource: responsible
forest management ensures future wood is
available
• Reclaimable: it can be taken from one project &
used in another
• Produces less waste than other materials
• Wood sequesters carbon & is considered a
carbon-negative material

5. Material
(one metric ton)
Net Carbon Emissions*
Net Carbon Emissions
(incl. carbon storage within
material)
Framing Lumber 33 kg or 72 lbs -457 kg** or lbs -1,005 lbs
MDF (virgin) 60 kg or 132 lbs -382 kg** or -840 lbs
Brick 88 kg or 94 lbs 88 kg or 94 lbs
Concrete 265 kg or 584 lbs 265 kg or 584 lbs
Plastic 2,502 kg 5,516 lbs 2,502 kg or 5,516 lbs
Steel (virgin) 649 kg 1,430 lbs 649 kg or 1,430 lbs
Aluminum (virgin) 4,532 kg or 9,991 lbs 4,532 kg or 9,991 lbs
* Information from the United States EPA, 2006
**Carbon content of 49% assumed for wood
Chart courtesy of AWI (Architectural Woodwork Institute)
Wood Products are Carbon Negative!

6. Green Woodworking Materials
• Composite Panels
• Green Hardwoods
• Finishes & Adhesives
• Veneer & Laminates

7. Composite Panels & Sustainable Hardwoods
Composite Panels: Made from small wood
particles pressed together using glue, heat &
pressure. Green composite panels are made
without added urea-formaldehyde & may
contain recycled materials.
Sustainable Hardwoods: Sustainable
hardwoods come from forest companies
with fair, legal and responsible management
practices. The Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC) issues certification according to their
forestry standards.

8. Finishes & Adhesives: Soy-based
adhesives & water-based finishes with no
added formaldehyde do not pollute the air
with harmful chemicals & VOCs (volatile
organic compounds).
Finishes & Veneer
Veneer & Laminate: Greener veneer &
laminate options are available & may
contain: paper-based products, recycled
content & no added formaldehyde.

9. Green Credentials & Affiliations
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
Green Building Program

10. USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
• a non-profit composed of leaders working to advance
environmentally responsible, profitable & healthy buildings
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program
is governed by USGBC
• Since LEED was developed in 1998, more than 14,000 projects
have been certified in the United States

11. FSC
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• a non-profit supporting economic, environmental & responsible
use of the world’s forests
• a voluntary, independent third party certification program of
forests & materials is available through FSC.

12. NAHB Green Building Program
National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Green Building Program
• Focuses on homebuilding with:
• Energy-efficient resources
• Water-efficient features
• Resource-efficient features
• Indoor air quality features

13. Why Build Green?
• Environmentally friendly structures & processes
• Efficient use of resources including building materials,
water & energy
• Healthier for occupants
• Reduction of waste, pollution &
environmental impacts

14. How Does Green/Sustainable Woodwork
Contribute to Green Building?
• Renewable/Certified Woods
• Indoor Air Quality
• Regionally Sourced

15. LEED Overview
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a green
building certification system governed by the USGBC.
LEED Buildings Result In:
• Energy Savings
• Water Efficiency
• Reduced Carbon Emissions
• Healthier Indoor Environments
• Efficient Use of Resources
• Reduced Environmental Impacts

16. LEED Credits & Certification
LEED Certification Categories
Certified: 40-49 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Gold: 60-79 points
Platinum: 80 points & above

17. LEED Credits for Wood Materials
MATERIALS & RESOURCES
MR Credit 4.1 Recycled Content 10% = 1 point
MR Credit 4.2 Recycled Content 20% = 2 points
MR Credit 5.1 Regional Materials 10% processed & manufactured regionally (500
mi. rule) = 1 Point
MR Credit 5.2 Regional Materials 20% processed & manufactured regionally (500
mi. rule) = 1 Point
MR Credit 6.0 for Rapidly Renewable Resources (Bamboo or Lyptus ) = 1 Point
MR Credit 7.0 Certified Wood = 1 Point
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
IEQ Credit 4.1 Low Emitting Materials Adhesives and Sealants = 1 point
IEQ Credit 4.2 Low Emitting Materials Paints and Coatings = 1 Point
IEQ Credit 4.4 Low Emitting Materials Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products = 1 Point

18. NAHBGreen Overview & Credits
NAHBGreen Points:
• 2.6.1 Renewable Resource Materials = 3 Points
• 2.6.2 Certified Wood = 4 Points
• 5.1.5 Low Emitting Materials = 6 Points
• 7.1.2 Low Emitting Coatings = 6 Points
• 7.1.3 Low Emitting Sealants = 5 Points
Certification Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Emerald
Green Construction Areas:
• Lot & Site Development
• Resource Efficiency
• Energy Efficiency
• Water Efficiency
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Homeowner Education

19. Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality
• People spend 90% of their time indoors
with poor ventilation
• Many sources of indoor pollution &
allergens including dust, paint, carpeting &
cleaning products
• Items emit VOCs (volatile organic
compounds like formaldehyde) into the air
• Poor air quality contributes to asthma &
eye, throat or nose irritation
• Children & older adults are especially
sensitive

20. Green Product Directories
GreenSpec Directory (buildinggreen.com): environmentally preferable products
Green Building Pages (greenbuildingpages.com): online sustainable design &
decision making tool for building industry professionals
Green2Green (green2green.org): comprehensive information on green building
products, materials & practices
Oikos (oikos.com): serves professionals whose work promotes sustainable design &
construction
The Green Guide (the greenguide.com): National Geographic site with product
reviews
Good To Be Green (goodtobegreen.com): directory of green building products,
materials & service providers