Sources of Formaldehyde-Free Kitchen Cabinets

It is pretty easy to find kitchen cabinets that have been manufactured with minimal levels of formaldehyde. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), a trade association, offers certification of low-formaldehyde products through its Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). An up-to-date list of certified manufacturers can be found at this site.

But if you want to buy kitchen cabinets that are entirely free of formaldehyde, the search can be more difficult. One option is to find a local cabinetmaker who is willing to build custom cabinets using formaldehyde-free materials.

Another option is to contact a manufacturer or supplier who offers formaldehyde-free products. I have put together a partial list of sources, along with product descriptions offered on their Web sites. It is by no means exhaustive, but it is a start.

Breathe Easy Cabinetry

• Responsibly harvested solid wood
• Formaldehyde-free plywood boxes
• Nontoxic water-based glues and finishes

Executive Kitchens

• 3/4-inch PureBond plywood with formaldehyde-free adhesives
• No oil or solvent based stains or coatings
• Waterborne stains, paints and coatings
• Formaldehyde-free adhesives on all particleboard and MDF

Greenline Cabinets from Forefront Designs

• Cores made from annually renewable wheat straw, manufactured with formaldehyde-free binders and bonded with nonsolvent adhesives
• Hinges and drawer slides made in an ISO 14001 certified manufacturing plant, assuring highest international environmental standards
• Domestic and imported veneers and lumber originateg from “certified well managed forests” as endorsed by the FSC

Green Leaf Cabinetry

• Cabinetry uses formaldehyde-free bonding agent to make plywood
• FSC-certified wood doors and drawers
• Low or zero VOC finishes

Henrybuilt

• FSC-certified woods and rapidly renewable bamboo
• Base units constructed from FSC-certified panels
• Laminate fronts have FSC-certified birch veneer cores

Neil Kelly Cabinets

• Responsible woods
• No-added formaldehyde agriboard case/drawer materials
• Low VOC glues, adhesives and finishes

Pacific Crest Industries

• EcoCore box option contains no urea formaldehyde
• Pine-core particleboard composed of 100% recycled or reclaimed wood fiber content
• Fiber content comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber
• FSC-certified hardwoods

Taylor Made Cabinets

• Formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets

Whitney Wood Works

• Formaldehyde-free particleboard
• Formaldehyde-free plywood