Green HOBN of Vancouver

By Kate Cannata

Countertops are often showpieces in kitchens and bathrooms. They speak to the style and environmental sensibilities of the homeowner. And because we assemble our meals on them and use them every day in the bathroom, their environmental and health effects are intimately linked with our daily lives.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Because of the beating counter tops take over their lifetime, durability and stain resistance are key considerations. Carefully choosing your material and adopting common-sense practices, however, will allow you to minimize burns, stains and cuts and have a beautiful, environmentally sound countertop that will be the envy of visitors. There are several green options for counter tops and here are the top three to consider when redesigning your home.

MATERIALS IN DEPTH

Solid Surfacing: Paper Composite Paper composite surfaces are composed of paper and other fibers that have been impregnated with resin. Paper composite handles heat well, is very durable. PaperStone and Richlite are two of the more well-known brands. Both companies take steps to make their products more environmentally sound. Richlite uses pulp from sustainably managed forests and Paperstone incorporates up to 100 percent recycled paper pulp, much of which is post-consumer. Both can be sealed with mineral oil to improve moisture and stain resistance. Maintaining paper composites over their long lives will reduce their overall environmental impact; a nonabrasive cleaner and a sponge are adequate for routine cleanings. This material does not nick easily or dull knives (it’s often used in cutting boards), though, as with all materials, be wary of cutting directly on it to prolong the life of your counter as well as your knives. * easy to clean * durable (particularly impact and heat resistant)

- Handles up to 350 degrees of direct heat * Can be scratched, very stain resistant *

$33 + per square foot

 With the lighter color options, the countertop will have a slight mottled appearance. Although the countertop does contain UV inhibitors, the color will patina into a darker look with a rich, warm appearance.

www.richlite.com/countertop

www.paperstoneproducts.com/

Stainless Steel Stainless steel is an alloy of steel, nickel and at least 10.5 percent chromium. Because of the impacts of mining, particularly those associated with chromium mining, and the energy used to produce it, stainless steel is not inherently a green material. However, stainless steel typically contains 65 to 80 percent recycled content-up to 100 percent is available-and it’s fully recyclable. A good place to go to get money in exchange for your steel is NorthStar Metal Recycling. www.northstarmetalrecycling.com/home.html

Stainless steel is a wonderfully hygienic product to have in the kitchen. Since stainless steel countertops can virtually be entirely seamless they make cleaning a dream! Stainless steel countertops offer very high durability and low maintenance, and do not offgas. They scratch easily and show fingerprints, but if stainless steel is sanded to a brushed finish, it helps hide prints. Scratches can be reconditioned in place if they are shallow, though the nicks and marks of daily use give stainless steel a nice patina over time. Leaving extremely hot pots on stainless steel may mar it. Use near cooking or wet areas. Because it can come pre-assembled, you can use stainless in a variety of places mixed with other kitchen counter surfaces. Stainless steel can seem a little cold and industrial but when combined with softer color palettes and warm woods, it can actually add great beauty to your space.

Maintenance:

Use a cleaner with a high alcohol content that dries quickly and does not leave a film. Buff scratches with a scouring pad, following the grain of the metal.

$85 to $150 per square foot installed.

This price variance depends on your choice of thickness, design and installation process. www.questmetal.com/index.htm

Terrazzo Terrazzo consists of crushed stone and glass set in a cement or epoxy substrate that is buffed smooth. Overall, terrazzo can be a good green choice due to its 40-year-plus lifespan, low maintenance and high recycled content, especially if you use local materials to avoid the transportation-related energy and emissions. Glass, stone and other recycled materials can make up as much as 95 percent of the materials in terrazzo. Products like those from EnviroGLAS and Icestone have particularly high recycled content. An exciting new material becoming popular for counter tops is Icestone® which is a mixture of 100% recycled glass and concrete. It looks and performs like mined stone and is installed and maintained like granite. It needs to be resealed yearly just like natural stone to keep it stain resistant. It can be shaped, cut water jet, inlaid, mounted vertically or horizontally. While there are 24 standard colors available, the color palette is infinite. IceStone® durable surfaces are strong like granite, not as porous as marble and heat-resistant like stone. Ice stone is VOC free. easy to clean resistant to stains and burning

$60 + per square foot www.icestone.biz

www.enviroglasproducts.com

Icestone and Paperstone are available through Greenworks building supplies. www.greenworksbuildingsupply.com

If you would like further information regarding this topic or if you have interior design question please contact us at New Leaf Interior Design at 604.603.1999 or by email at info@newleafinteriordesign.com

Buying a couch is not like buying a sandwich; it’s a big decision. It is als one that you’re going to have to live with for a while. So go couch shopping with as much information as you can, and you’ll take home a couch you’ll really love. Let’s look at some simple tips to get you started.

1) Whenever possible, buy local or Canadian made couches. This could be the most important part of your decision. If your couch is locally made the price reflects the cost of making it, NOT shipping it to your local retailer. This one simple step gives you better quality for the same amount of money, helps the environment, and supports the local economy all at the same time.

2) Know what you want to use it for. This one sounds obvious, but it’s important. Dancing shoes and running shoes are two very different things. If you’re really going to live on your couch, you want a fabric that is going to stand up to your use and abuse. If you just want it to look great, but you’re never going to sit on it, durability isn’t such a big concern.

3) When you shop, sit on the couch like you would at home. Don’t sit on the couch like you’re six and at your Grandparent’s place. If you always sit curled up on the couch, do that in the store. If you always stretch out, stretch out. If it helps, bring your remote control, but you should probably leave the popcorn at home.

4) Ask about the warranty. A lifetime frame warranty shows how confident the makers of your new couch are. So does a one-year frame warranty.

5) Take a sample of the fabrics you like home. Fabric in the furniture store is going to look very different once you get it home. Better to find out it doesn’t work by bringing home a sample than by bringing home a couch.

6) Have a good, hard look. The fabric should cover all sides of the cushions. That way you can flip them if you damage one side. Being able to turn them over once every 4 to 6 weeks will also make them last longer. Look for straight stitching and piping. When you take the cushions off, the fabric underneath should match the rest of the sofa. If it’s a black or white nylon, get ready for a lifetime of cushions popping off your slippery couch.

7) Ask as many questions as you can. Get as much information as possible, and don’t be shy. A good salesperson is there to help you make a good decision.

Measure twice, cut once. Measure it out in the room to get an idea of how it will look. Make sure it will fit through the door, the elevator, the stairwell, around the corner and whatever else may be in your way. You don’t want your new couch living outside! If you follow these steps, you’re well on your way.

Kate Cannata

Reduce-Recycle-Reuse by Kate Cannata

 Recycling has become common practice when we look at a bottle, can or newspaper but how often do we think about it with other household items or building materials?  Last month I did some extensive investigative research on recycling and discovered some interesting figures.  According to recent statistics:

 San Francisco leads all North American Cities in waste recycling at 69%.

• Vancouver sits at a low 50%. 
• A shocking total of 508,207 tons of municipal solid waste was disposed of at the Delta Landfill in 2008.
• And only 4,988 tons was recycled.  This amount is less than 1% of all waste generated in the city.  
• Only 25% of all Vancouver apartment/condo dwellers recycle as compared to the 50% of all single-family dwellings. 

 Thankfully an aggressive plan called the ‘Zero Waste Challenge’ is in place to encourage higher recycling practices to meet a goal of 70% by 2010.  Keep in mind this percent only applies to single-family homes and there is still more we can do.

 We can make great strides towards this goal by recycling household objects that many people don’t realize can be recycled or reused.

 Drywall – Drywall is 90% Gypsum which can be recycled is used to manufacture new drywall.

• Refrigerators – Trying to get rid of that old fridge? BC Hydro will actually pick up and recycle your old, junk fridge for FREE and give you $30 for it.
• Non-treated wood – Reused 2X4’s for construction
• Mattresses – Foam is reused to create new mattresses, wood is recycled from bed frames and fibers are reused or sold to make other materials.
• Concrete – Ground down and reused.
• Toilets – Toilets are ground down and recycled with concrete to create aggregate.

 If kept in good condition the following can be recycled and reused by organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

 Cabinets

• Countertops – If cracked it will be recycled as aggregate.
• Sinks – If cracked it will be recycled as aggregate.

 If you will be completing a large home renovation project or if you have a garage full of junk to remove, contact Fresh Start Recycling.  They charge by volume and will take in all of your renovation waste and bring it to a transfer station at which it will be sorted by type.  Contact Tom at 604.637.6400 for more information.

Before starting the teardown of your project with either a contractor or as a DIY’er you may also want to consider donating. Follow these important steps:

 1.    Plan early

2.    Consult a Contractor and Designer

3.    Conduct an audit and make a list of the potential donation items.

4.    Contact the following that can assist with recycling/reusing:

Habitat for Humanity can take the following in good/working condition; windows, doors, paint, counter tops, hardware, lumber, tools, lighting fixtures and even the kitchen sink. Find A Restore

 Surrey New & Used Building Materials will pick up just about anything in good condition especially kitchen and bath cabinets, counter tops, sinks, bath tubs and even toilets!  604.576.8488; toll free 877.570.8733; email surreynewandused@shaw.ca.

 Fresh Start Recycling www.freshstartrecycling.com Contact Tom at 604.637.6400 for more information

 Or consult the following websites for more information:

 www.metrovancouver.org/buildsmart

www.rcbc.bc.ca/

www.drywallrecycling.org