Green Kitchen Remodeling

Background and goals; the starting point for this project consisted of two rooms, a 14’x14’ 1970’s era kitchen and a 10’x17’ informal dining area separated by a 7’ partition.  The area was dated, dark and in need of a “space lift”.  The green conceptual design was created by Simply Green Design and called for the removal of the partition, moving a doorway and enlarging the service island.  Our goal was to create a more open, well lit and functional space and we are pleased with the results.  We were able to build this project using green products which were priced at market rates.  Market rate pricing allowed us to create this green kitchen solution without paying a premium for the project and the kitchens reduced carbon imprint will pay financial, human health and climatological dividends for decades.

Work began in mid September with the deconstruction of the existing kitchen and adjacent dining area.  The existing cabinets were removed in excellent condition and donated to the Re-use Center, (a part of The Green Institute), for resale.  All of the lumber generated by the deconstruction of the area was reused in the framing of a new doorway and the closure of a small corner closet.  The only waste from this process was a small pile of drywall which was taken to the Hennepin County Recycling Center and turned into an agricultural fertilization product.

Once the area was cleared, mechanical systems were moved and the area was roughed in and prepped for the installation of cabinets, flooring and appliances.  VOC, (Volatile Organic Compound), free cabinets were installed along with a new ventilation system for the gas cook top.  The parquet wood floor was in decent shape and if new tiles could be found, the useful life of the floor could be doubled.  The floor tiles had not been manufactured for a long time and were not available, so, a Reagan Greenbuilt carpenter, Bill Hunter, made 100, 9’x9’ tiles in his shop.  We were able to at least double the useful life of the floor and save thousands of dollars because we didn't’t have to replace the floor.

Next up were the counter tops.  There are two tops at standard height and a 42” hi bar/ service counter.  The two tops at standard height are made of marmoleum, a natural product made from linseed oil and backed with jute.  Marmoleum is ideal for kitchen and bath counter tops and is available in a wide range of colors.  The 42” top is custom made in the Twin Cities by Rust Brothers and is manufactured with ground, recycled industrial glass and concrete.  Our top has two colors of glass, mother of pearl and tinted concrete.  The top is a green winner; reused materials create a beautiful top which will last for centuries.

The use of CFLs is one of the easiest and most effective of green strategies.  The lights last about ten times longer that their incandescent counterparts and burn only a fraction of the energy.   All of the appliances used in the project are Energy Star products which have a long history of energy and water use efficiency.  This green kitchen looks great and was competitively priced.