WOODSTALK Fiberboard Helped Developer Work Toward LEED Certification
7.21.05 | Midland , MI | Even though individual products are not eligible to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, products like WOODSTALK Gold MR Fiberboard play a key role in the overall ability of a project to earn sustainable distinction. Take, for instance, the 21- and 24-story high-rise Meriwether condominium towers currently being built in Portland, Oregon by Gerding/Edlen Development Company.
The company, a leader in green development, is striving to earn Gold LEED Certification for their project. To achieve this goal they are required to earn LEED credits in each of the following areas: rapidly renewable materials; low emitting materials; certified wood; local/regional materials; resource and reuse; and innovation in design. By turning to local businesses, like Portland-based Neil Kelly Cabinet Company, to provide environmentally-friendly products for the interior of the condos, Gerding/Edlen was able to meet the requirements for many different LEED categories. Not only were they able to purchase low emitting and rapidly renewable materials for the Meriwether, they also limited the amount of emissions produced during the transportation of the products to the site due to the short distance between locations. - more - LEED is a rating system and certification program promoted as a blueprint for sustainable building practices developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company
Neil Kelly provided Gerding/Edlen with their standard cabinets for the project, which are constructed using WOODSTALK Gold MR fiberboard. WOODSTALK fiberboard, manufactured by Dow BioProducts using waste wheat straw, is an attractive, eco-friendly alternative to wood-based particle board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood and solid wood. The WOODSTALK fiberboard used in these cabinets not only offers the superior moisture resistance and durability often needed in residential use, but also emits fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Emissions from WOODSTALK fiberboard are as much as 97% lower than those from conventional fiberboard products containing urea formaldehyde binders.
Neil Kelly Cabinet Company has been using WOODSTALK fiberboard since the product was first offered for sale. In 2001, the company decided to take their commitment to WOODSTALK one step further, and began to use it exclusively in their kitchen and bath cabinetry. We are passionate about our products and only select materials that are environmentally-friendly, said Rick Fields, Neil Kellys President. We have made a priority of using renewable resources.
While Neil Kelly Cabinet Company has definitely found its niche in the green marketplace, their ability to locate sources who could supply them with the large amount of environmentally-friendly products needed for major projects like the Meriwether has played a key role in their success. For years the Neil Kelly Cabinet Company has been relying on Lumber Products to supply them with all of the WOODSTALK they need to make their cabinets. In fact, Lumber Products supplied Neil Kelly with 5,000 sheets of WOODSTALK for the Meriwether project. Because of our size and relationship with Dow BioProducts we can provide our customers, like the Neil Kelly Cabinet Company, with whatever amount of WOODSTALK product they need for a project whenever they need it, said Rob Robinette, an Overlay Panel Specialist for Lumber Products. By working with companies like Lumber Products to incorporate WOODSTALK into all of their cabinetry, Neil Kelly has been able to provide their customers with the optimal products and services they desire.
While this is the first time that Gerding/Edlen has used the cabinets made of WOODSTALK in a residential development, they have used them in many non-residential projects, and, according to Dennis Wilde, a Senior Project Manager with Gerding/Edlen, have always received a positive response. In addition to their previous experience working with this type of cabinet, Wilde indicated that they ultimately decided to go with the cabinets offered by Neil Kelly because of their environmental friendliness, price and quality. In fact, were also using WOODSTALK fiberboard in all of the door cores for the Meriwether project. In order to achieve Gold LEED Certification, many other environmental features have been incorporated into the design of The Meriwether, such as: green-streets, eco-roofs, and planters to catch and treat storm water; low flow showerheads and faucets, dual flush toilets, and water efficient appliances to reduce the use of potable water; and high performance glazing and soybean-based foam insulation for greater energy efficiency.
The response to the new development has already been very positive. In addition to earning recognition as one of the Top 25 development projects in the Portland area, 96 percent of the units are already rented. The Meriwether is scheduled to open in May of 2006. About WOODSTALK and Dow BioProducts Dow BioProducts is a division of Dow Chemical Canada, Inc. Located in Elie, Manitoba, Canada, the company produces WOODSTALK brand products, which are environmentally-friendly, high quality alternatives to wood-based medium density fiberboard and particleboard. WOODSTALK brand products are made from wheat straw fiber, instead of wood and utilize a polyurethane resin as a binder, instead of the formaldehyde binder often used in conventional wood-based products. Ideal for residential, office and contract furniture, case goods, laboratory furnishings, store fixtures, kitchen cabinets and countertops, millwork and moldings manufacturing; Dow BioProducts offers WOODSTALK Gold MR Fiberboard, thick and thin flooring underlayment, and prefinished shelving throughout North America. For more information on WOODSTALK and to locate a distributor near you visit www.dow-bioproducts.com.
The company, a leader in green development, is striving to earn Gold LEED Certification for their project. To achieve this goal they are required to earn LEED credits in each of the following areas: rapidly renewable materials; low emitting materials; certified wood; local/regional materials; resource and reuse; and innovation in design. By turning to local businesses, like Portland-based Neil Kelly Cabinet Company, to provide environmentally-friendly products for the interior of the condos, Gerding/Edlen was able to meet the requirements for many different LEED categories. Not only were they able to purchase low emitting and rapidly renewable materials for the Meriwether, they also limited the amount of emissions produced during the transportation of the products to the site due to the short distance between locations. - more - LEED is a rating system and certification program promoted as a blueprint for sustainable building practices developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company
Neil Kelly provided Gerding/Edlen with their standard cabinets for the project, which are constructed using WOODSTALK Gold MR fiberboard. WOODSTALK fiberboard, manufactured by Dow BioProducts using waste wheat straw, is an attractive, eco-friendly alternative to wood-based particle board, medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood and solid wood. The WOODSTALK fiberboard used in these cabinets not only offers the superior moisture resistance and durability often needed in residential use, but also emits fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Emissions from WOODSTALK fiberboard are as much as 97% lower than those from conventional fiberboard products containing urea formaldehyde binders.
Neil Kelly Cabinet Company has been using WOODSTALK fiberboard since the product was first offered for sale. In 2001, the company decided to take their commitment to WOODSTALK one step further, and began to use it exclusively in their kitchen and bath cabinetry. We are passionate about our products and only select materials that are environmentally-friendly, said Rick Fields, Neil Kellys President. We have made a priority of using renewable resources.
While Neil Kelly Cabinet Company has definitely found its niche in the green marketplace, their ability to locate sources who could supply them with the large amount of environmentally-friendly products needed for major projects like the Meriwether has played a key role in their success. For years the Neil Kelly Cabinet Company has been relying on Lumber Products to supply them with all of the WOODSTALK they need to make their cabinets. In fact, Lumber Products supplied Neil Kelly with 5,000 sheets of WOODSTALK for the Meriwether project. Because of our size and relationship with Dow BioProducts we can provide our customers, like the Neil Kelly Cabinet Company, with whatever amount of WOODSTALK product they need for a project whenever they need it, said Rob Robinette, an Overlay Panel Specialist for Lumber Products. By working with companies like Lumber Products to incorporate WOODSTALK into all of their cabinetry, Neil Kelly has been able to provide their customers with the optimal products and services they desire.
While this is the first time that Gerding/Edlen has used the cabinets made of WOODSTALK in a residential development, they have used them in many non-residential projects, and, according to Dennis Wilde, a Senior Project Manager with Gerding/Edlen, have always received a positive response. In addition to their previous experience working with this type of cabinet, Wilde indicated that they ultimately decided to go with the cabinets offered by Neil Kelly because of their environmental friendliness, price and quality. In fact, were also using WOODSTALK fiberboard in all of the door cores for the Meriwether project. In order to achieve Gold LEED Certification, many other environmental features have been incorporated into the design of The Meriwether, such as: green-streets, eco-roofs, and planters to catch and treat storm water; low flow showerheads and faucets, dual flush toilets, and water efficient appliances to reduce the use of potable water; and high performance glazing and soybean-based foam insulation for greater energy efficiency.
The response to the new development has already been very positive. In addition to earning recognition as one of the Top 25 development projects in the Portland area, 96 percent of the units are already rented. The Meriwether is scheduled to open in May of 2006. About WOODSTALK and Dow BioProducts Dow BioProducts is a division of Dow Chemical Canada, Inc. Located in Elie, Manitoba, Canada, the company produces WOODSTALK brand products, which are environmentally-friendly, high quality alternatives to wood-based medium density fiberboard and particleboard. WOODSTALK brand products are made from wheat straw fiber, instead of wood and utilize a polyurethane resin as a binder, instead of the formaldehyde binder often used in conventional wood-based products. Ideal for residential, office and contract furniture, case goods, laboratory furnishings, store fixtures, kitchen cabinets and countertops, millwork and moldings manufacturing; Dow BioProducts offers WOODSTALK Gold MR Fiberboard, thick and thin flooring underlayment, and prefinished shelving throughout North America. For more information on WOODSTALK and to locate a distributor near you visit www.dow-bioproducts.com.
