Today, furnishing or renovating a home also means considering eco-friendly solutions that guarantee low environmental impact and ensure our health. The concept of ecological comfort is commonly associated with air conditioning, building envelope materials, or the recovery of greywater, but protecting the environment and health also happens through the choice of our furniture. Often, when we evaluate purchasing a new kitchen, we are overwhelmed by the many proposed solutions. Attractive colors and finishes, compositions equipped with the best systems for space organization, tend to overshadow an important aspect like the material with which these furnishings are made.

In the market, we find traditional solid wood and materials derived from its transformation, in whose processing process various adhesives and solvents are used. The eco-compatibility of the furniture we choose also depends on the panels with which they are constructed – they may contain synthetic resins that release emissions into the air we breathe – or the finishes with which they have been treated superficially – even paints or treatments based on ammonia release potentially toxic substances. Below is an overview of the most commonly used materials for furniture structures because sustainability also involves making a conscious choice of what we buy. Solid wood remains the most natural choice, especially when treated superficially with oils or water-based paints. These are solvent-free, non-toxic, and odorless. The slicing of logs produces sheets and strips of wood that, when properly assembled, form different types of panels. These are laminate or multilayer wood panels. They offer some advantages over solid wood planks. For example, it is possible to obtain large panels since these no longer strictly depend on the trunk of the tree. They also have uniform resistance characteristics, not influenced by the direction of the grain. These products are less sensitive to variations in atmospheric humidity and are therefore more “stable.” It is common to hear that wood is "alive" and "moves." The visible parts of these assembled panels can be veneered in oak or other wood species, or covered with laminates offered by various companies. Another possibility is chipboard panels, made from glued wood chips. There are many types of chipboard, determining their quality. This type of panel is also more stable than solid wood and is the most economical choice. It should also be noted that this material tends to swell when water infiltrates it and tends to crumble when screws or fasteners are removed during the disassembly of the furniture.

For all these products, made from glued wood parts, it is important to know the formaldehyde emission, which depends on the resins used in the processing. In this regard, the Ecological Panel should be highlighted, made entirely from post-consumer wood chips, certified for the lowest emissions currently available on the market. It’s not always possible to buy solid wood furniture, but the alternatives we can choose from are valid and do not sacrifice aesthetics or functionality. Based on our experience as manufacturers, at Deodara, we preferably recommend poplar multilayer panels, oak listellare panels, solid limewood, or even oak. High-quality furnishings enhance space, and their long-lasting performance aligns with the concept of ecology, aimed at reducing waste and scrap materials. For this reason, communicating efficiently and transparently is the foundation of every good project. Because caring about customer satisfaction also means thinking about people's health and the environment, our most precious assets.

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