KBB - February/March 2015 - 54

TRENDS

The Price of a
Greener Space
Manufacturers debut kitchen and bath
products that promote a healthier Earth
Between appliances and running water, the kitchen and bathroom
use more energy and resources than any other rooms in the house.
Nearly every element, from the tile to the oven, is now offered in styles
that reduce the cost to the environment.
"If a product is priced well and gives the added value of sustainability and will reduce energy costs, consumers will definitely go for it,"
said Patricia Gaylor of Patricia Gaylor Design, who added that she sees
consumers choose price over sustainability more often than not.
Even still, an Eco Pulse study by the Shelton Group determined that
70 percent of Americans are searching for greener products, and corporate commitments to sustainability are becoming a baseline criterion for
product consideration. Companies that are known for environmentally
responsible practices are steadily becoming more appealing to more
consumers.
"The engineering and scientific communities drive manufacturing
and sit on the leading edge of identifying and solving environmental
problems," said designer and architect Jim Winer, founder of Make3. "I
believe there are many environmentally concerned members of the
manufacturing community helping develop policies and standards and
leading the consumer toward greater sustainability."

Smart Surfaces
Across the board in surfaces, digitally printed tile has started pushing
the more expensive natural stone tiles aside.These difficult-to-extract stones,
imported granite materials and stone tops can have adverse effects on the
environment because of deep mining issues and long-distance shipping.
In addition, manufacturers like TheSize are making ultra-thin, extremely
strong tiles, which simplifies installation and shipping.
"Engineered products made from natural clays and minerals are
produced in a way that meets both design and moral concerns easily,
and some are more durable than their authentic stone counterparts,"
said Daniel Sanchez, sales director of TheSize. "Certain keywords - natural, recycled, nontoxic - are guiding consumer choices."
Neolith, a sintered compact surface from TheSize, is 100 percent natural with a composition of clay, feldspar, silica and mineral oxides and is
made of 52 percent recycled material. The company has a system for
clay recovery during production, which reduces waste by 14 percent. Any
additional waste or faulted slabs are recycled or turned into new slabs.

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K BB

Clockwise from Top: Inspired by California's wine coast, Coastal Collage from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber is light in color and has a
rustic surface. The wood surface is made of reclaimed antique hardwoods and evokes the look of French fruitwoods. Circle No. 230 or
visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
Wilsonart's Woodgrain Laminates authentically replicate wood with
their variations, textures and tones. Now available in 16 additional
designs, the laminates offer eco-friendly alternatives to harvested
wood for walls, countertops, partitions and casework.
Circle No. 231 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
From TheSize, Neolith's thin, lightweight slabs imitate the natural look
of stone, are made of natural materials and emit less carbon dioxide.
The surface material can also be applied directly onto existing, stable
surfacing, reducing landfill waste and the time and energy required
during installation. Neolith is Greenguard certified - meeting comprehensive standards for low emission of VOCs - and has earned LEED
points. Circle No. 232 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo

February/March 2015 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

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KBB - February/March 2015

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