"Curious though, have you looked into formaldehyde-free plywood or MDF alternatives?"
Glad you mentioned this—I just finished my first custom build and went with formaldehyde-free plywood for our kitchen cabinets. Honestly, the difference was noticeable right away...no weird chemical smell lingering around. It's a bit pricier upfront, but totally worth it for peace of mind. Definitely recommend exploring those options if you're sensitive to VOCs or just want cleaner indoor air quality.
"It's a bit pricier upfront, but totally worth it for peace of mind."
I get the appeal of formaldehyde-free plywood, especially for indoor air quality, but have you considered reclaimed wood or salvaged materials instead? I've done a few projects using reclaimed barn wood and old flooring, and honestly, the character and uniqueness you get is unmatched. Plus, you're recycling materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's another way to go green without the premium price tag...
"the character and uniqueness you get is unmatched"
True, reclaimed wood definitely has charm, but have you run into any issues with hidden contaminants or pests? I've had a couple surprises myself... makes me cautious about salvaged stuff indoors. Curious how you handle that.
I've definitely admired some reclaimed wood finishes, but yeah... pests and contaminants can be a real issue. I've heard of folks kiln-drying salvaged wood to deal with bugs, but does that do anything for VOCs or chemical residues? Seems like you'd need more than just heat to tackle those. Curious if anyone has tried sealing or encapsulating reclaimed materials somehow—I mean, charm is great, but breathing easy is kinda nice too.
"I've heard of folks kiln-drying salvaged wood to deal with bugs, but does that do anything for VOCs or chemical residues?"
Kiln-drying is great for pests, but you're right—heat alone won't magically erase chemical residues or VOCs. I've seen people try encapsulating reclaimed wood with low-VOC sealants, and it can help a lot. But honestly, if the wood was previously treated with heavy-duty chemicals or paints, sealing might not be enough. Sometimes it's better to source materials with a known history rather than gamble on mystery wood... charm isn't worth compromising indoor air quality.
