Going Green in Your Home

We know Green is in, and that’s why at Williams Studio, you’ll find products not only only functional and stylish, but also eco-friendly! And we don’t stop there: Our products are high quality, competitively priced, and designed to fit your needs. We’re here every step of the way to help you know your options when designing your dream kitchen and bath.

Green Options for Your Kitchen & Bath:

Option 1: Cabinetry
The cabinetry you choose largely affects the overall sustainability of your kitchen and bath. A good acronym to know is the Environmental Stewardship Program, or ESP. The ESP sets the industry standard for environmentally sustainable products, so if you’re looking to go green, narrowing your search to products that are ESP Certified will help. Both HomeCrest and Omega Cabinetry are certified by ESP, offering ecologically smart cabinet choices that are easy on the eyes. Go to www.omegacabinetry.com and www.homecrestcabinetry.com to check out their latest ESP Certified products. For more information about these products, contact Williams Studio! One of our designers would be happy to help you make the best decision for your home.

Option 2: Countertops
If you want a countertop that is eco-friendly but will also endure the test of time, rest assured; there are plenty of options: 1) Granite and other stone countertops are low in volatile organic compounds; chemicals that have high vapor pressures at normal room temperature, and are long lasting. 2) Wood, which is a naturally-found material (definitely sustainable!), and if you look for ESP Certified wood, it’s even better. 3) Corian, Zodiaq, and Silestone are all Greenguard Certified materials, meaning they are highly microbial resistant, or resist the growth of microorganisms that can make you sick. 4) Concrete and Swanstone are also highly durable and eco-friendly choices.

Option 3: Appliances
Did you know: Appliances represent 20% or more of your energy use! That’s why you want to make sure any new appliances you purchase have the Energy Star logo. This logo means that the product is exceeding the Department of Energy’s standards for energy use. For your kitchen, GE, GE Profile, GE Monogram, Dacor, Bosch, Thermador, Wolf, and Fisher & Paykel are great Energy Star choices. The laundry room is another great place to look for water and energy savings: Front loading models, low water usage settings, and high speed spin cycles all contribute to your energy and water conservation efforts. Check out www.geappliances.com, www.panasonicamerica.com, and www.energystar.gov for more information!

Energy_Star_Logo

Option 4: Lighting & Flooring
Use energy efficient task lighting and your lighting controls to save on electricity and be more eco-friendly. GE offers florescent lighting as one low energy alternative; learn more at their website www.geappliances.com.
Some eco-smart flooring options are Cork, Bamboo, Eucalyptus, and Natural Stone. Wood grown in a well-managed, sustainable, Forest Stewardship Council U.S. Certified-forest is also a good option! Go to www.fscus.org for more information.

Option 5: Plumbing
Update your old plumbing: Significantly improve the efficiency of your plumbing and conservation of water inside your home! Keep in mind that faucets and shower heads should be restricted to 2.5 gallons per minute or less; go to www.groheamerica.com for more information. Did you know that toilets are the highest single source of water use in your house? To minimize the water consumption, look for a toilet that uses 1.6 gallons per flush. Filter your search by looking for high performance and low maintenance toilets. Toto USA carries High Efficiency Toilets (HET) like the G-Max at 1.6 gallons per flush and E-max at 1.28 gallons per flush. Go to www.totousa.com to learn more about their sustainable (and sleek) toilets! Visit Williams Studio to see our extensive line up of eco-friendly plumbing brands, including Delta, Duravit, and Riobel.

Option 6: Windows & Doors
Weather Shield Windows and Doors offers energy efficient product options like the Zo-e-shield, a glazing system that helps keep your space warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and can help you save up to 30% on energy bills! Look for their recycled content certification at www.weathershield.com.