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How to Recognize Quality in Kitchen Cabinets

The furniture industry produces littledetailed information on the quality ofkitchen cabinets, which means thatconsumers have a hard time understandingthe differences. You cannot even findtechnical reports in furniture magazines.Nor do they publish quality comparisonsbetween different products, the way carmagazines publish buyer’s guidescomparing models. And that’s a shame,because furniture reviews could easily useindustry information that has beenavailable for years. For example CATAS—the international furniture and wood

products research center—can comparefurniture through standardized testswithout personal opinions getting in theway. At Valcucine, we hope that some publisherwill hear our plea and come up with a sortof “Auto World” for the furniture industry.In the meantime, we’re trying to help fillthe information gap by bringing you thisbookletEverything you read here is the fruit of 25years of straightforward customerrelations. We have a special department forfeedback—through questionnaires and

direct conversations—from the people whoactually use our kitchens. We are anxiouslearn all we can about their doubts, desiresand difficulties.This manual was written to give you theadvantage of all of Valcucine’s technicalknow-how. So that you can choose yournext kitchen knowledgably and enjoyably,with as little hassle as possible.

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Table of Contents

The Logica System Equipped Back ChannelAccessories in the Equipped Back ChannelErgonomics of Toekicks and LegsLogica System Outfitted BasesErgonomics of Logica System Storage BinsLogica System DrawersErgonomics of Wall Cabinet DoorsValcucine’s Patented Ala Wall CabinetErgonomics of Pantry CabinetsErgonomics of Oven CabinetErgonomics of Corner Cabinets Ergonomics of Corner Base CabinetsLighting Your Kitchen Proper Lighting of Your Work AreaThe Right Choices for Easy Cleaning

46 The Materials Used

Valcucine: The Whole Story on the Material We UseMaterials Used to Build a Kitchen CabinetCabinets INteriors in Melamine BoardPlywood Interiors Is All Plywood the Same?Other Things To Check In Cabinet InteriorsCounter topsLaminated Counter TopsSealing Against Seepage Protecting Counter Tops WaterValcucine Laminated Counter TopsAdvantages of Ultra-Thick Laminated Counter TopsStainless Steel Counter TopsMarble and Granite Counter TopsCharacteristics of Marble and Granite Counter TopsSynthetic Counter Tops

5 Certification

Quality StandardsSeals of ApprovalManufacturer’s DeclarationEnvironmental Standards and CertificationIndustry LabelsSeals of Approval Awarded Valcucine Products

10 Warranties: A Way of Judging Quality

Valcucine WarrantiesQuality: Tested and guaranteed

13 Planning Your Kitchen

Modular units or Continuous Counter tops?Toekicks, Legs or Suspended Units?How to Choose the Right PiecesHow to Choose the Right ColorsGoing Beyond the Latest FashionThe Beauty of Hand CraftsmanshipAn Eye for DetailSkilled, Meticulous Assembly

22 Ergonomics? What’s That?

Ergonomics: Kitchen Cabinets Made to Fit You Ergolabio: Adapting Your Kitchen to Your Height“Logica System”: The Valcucine Ergonomic SystemCounter top Heights: 76 cm to 100 cmValcucine Cabinet Depths: 60 cm - 65 cm - 80 cmAdvantages of Logica System: A Depth of 80 cm

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Solid Wood Counter TopsDoors Door Facing Is All Door Facing the Same?Edged Versus Pre-glued DoorsLaminate Multy-Layer DoorsWooden Multy-Layer DoorsMechanical Resistance of Thin DoorsFramed DoorsQuality in Framed Doors Lacquered Doors

86 Buying Ethical Products

Replacing Renewable Raw MaterialsBioforest: Four Environmental Projects Eco-Compatible DesignRespecting Health: Controlling Toxic GasKitchens without ChipboardWater-Based Paint

You’ll find definitions of the underlined bold words in the glossary on page 106.

92 Appliances

Vent Hoods Valcucine Ergonomic 80cm Deep HoodsSinks Faucets

97 Important Thinghs to Remember Before You Buy

99 Kitchen Safety for Kids

101 Questions to Ask Before You Buy

106 Glossary

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Wow! A new kitchen!

Buying and installing a new kitchen is a bigevent. Not all of us have the expertise to judgethe different models on the market.Catalogues with their pretty pictures andcaptivating texts do nothing to explain all ofthe products in detail.It is so easy to be swept away by enthusiasm

over your new purchase. We are taken withthe appeal of its design and the settings andarrangements in the showrooms. We shouldreally be spending time studying the featuresand facts we need to know to make a rational,informed choice. So we won’t be disappointedlater.

It’s no fun to buy a new kitchen only to realizelater that it doesn’t meet our needs. Valcucineis here to give you some useful advice andtechnical information, so that the next timeyou buy a kitchen, you really know whatyou’re doing.

Don’t buy based upon love at first sight. Do compare with other models and other brands.

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Certification

One thing that helps you understand productvalue is the presence of national orinternational certification. Generally awardedafter stringent testing, certification attests toproduct quality and safety.Certification is especially important forelectrical appliances. Malfunctioningappliances are one of the major causes ofdeath every year.

How can I tell one kind of certificationfrom another?Consumers today are confused by the widevariety of certification at hand. There is somuch information available that confusion canset in. We end up making errors in judgment,instead of recognizing product quality.There are a bewildering number of new labelsthat make it hard to distinguish betweenquality standards for the manufacturingprocess, trade association seals of approval andcompany trademarks used for advertising.

When we took an careful look at the matter,we found that the subject is very complicated.We will try to summarize it for you in the nextfew pages.Certification can be divided into differentcategories:1. Standards of quality2. Seals of approval3. Company quality control /warranty4. Trademarks5. Environmental certification

Take a close look at the real guarantees and certification promises.

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Quality Standards

The most important standards of quality arethose belonging to the ISO9000 family:ISO9001, ISO9002, ISO9003, ISO9004(VISION2000).

What do they guarantee?They guarantee that the manufacturer followsa standardized production system andendeavors to improve them.

Do quality standards guarantee that I’ll geta high quality product from a certifiedcompany?No. ISO9000 (VISION2000) certificationguarantees product conformity with the “levelof quality” that the company sets. But this canalso be a low level of quality. For example:Company A has been producing hand-madesolid wood furniture with high qualityfinishing for 50 years. Company B producespoorly made furniture in chipboard which isnot water-resistant, has high formaldehydeemissions and is covered with wood-

patterned paper. The first is an old companywhose workers know their jobs by heart andneed no plans with specifications ortolerances; it doesn’t even have a filingsystem with the plans or a standardizedsystem of communication between its offices.The second company’s production cycle iscompletely standardized, its offices onlycommunicate with written messages and ithas all the documentation with productdesigns and specifications.Even if Company A does produce excellentfurniture, it still cannot obtain ISO9000certification because its production processwas never standardized according to specificprocedures.Compare this to Company B which producesin paper-covered chipboard furniture, it canobtain ISO9000 certification because theproduction system follows all the productionprocedures required by ISO9000.ISO9000 standards only examine productionsystem quality and not product quality. They

guarantee that a product leaves the factoryaccording to the specifications laid down butat any level of quality. Suppliers buying fromthem like these standards because theyassure greater product reliability andconsistency. The manufacturers like thembecause ISO9000 allows them to optimizetheir production system. They provide little orno guarantee for the final user.

Who awards the certification?Certificates are issued by certification orregistration bodies after inspection of thecompany.

Is certification subject to ongoing control?Yes. The system calls for repeated inspectionby certification bodies.

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Environmental Standards and Certification

ISO14001 is the bestknown certification

standard internationally for environmentalmanagement systems.

What does ISO14001 guarantee?ISO14001 guarantees that the company:- respects all environmental requirementsregarding sound, toxic discharge, dust, andwater pollution;- has a controlled, registered waste disposalsystem;- is committed to reducing energyconsumption and carries out projects with

this goal;- is involved in environmental projects.

Who issues ISO14001 certification?It is issued by independent certificationbodies after inspection of the company.

Is the company subject to planned controls?Yes. It is subject to control by the certificationbody.

ECO-LABEL—This is the best-known environmental label andwas established by the EuropeanCommission. It is applied to

products meeting strict ecological andperformance criteria.

What does it guarantee?It guarantees that throughout its life, theproduct has a low environmental impactand meets European standards.

ISO14001

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Industry Labels

Industry labels are created and promoted byindustry associations, groups ofmanufacturers with common interests whojoin together to protect these interests andincrease product visibility. Membermanufacturers all contribute to expendituresin running the council and promoting the

trademark. The companies also use thetrademark in their advertising which increasesits renown. But renown does not meanconsumer guarantee. Remember to look intotrademarks without being influenced byadvertising.

Read technical product cards carefully. Chipboard is not always called chipboard. Today, the common terms are“wood particle panel”, “agglomerate wood panel”. These and other terms are legal, but they can confuse theconsumer.

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Seals of Approval Awarded to Valcucine Products

The BIOFOREST label was created byValcucine. We make certain that largenumbers of trees are planted, both toabsorb the carbon dioxide produced duringmanufacture and to replace those cut downfor furniture production.A balance was reached thanks to a series ofreforesting projects and BIOFOREST,created for this purpose, is now anindependent NGO with Italian Ministry ofthe Environment recognition. It is open toanyone who thinks that commit toimproving our environment can no longerbe delayed and works mainly withmanufacturers who want to restore abalance between the carbon dioxide theyproduce and the carbon dioxide absorbedby the trees they plant.

GS is a German seal of approval of productquality. Valcucine was the first Italian kitchencabinet builder to be awarded this certificationafter its products underwent strict testing andinspection by the German institute L.G.A.

Valcucine has been a supporter of sustainabledevelopment for many years and iscommitted to reducing the environmentalimpact of its manufacturing plant. We developprojects for rational use of raw materials,recycling of waste materials and reduction ofpollution, consumption and water andpromote a balance between use and replacingof natural resources.Our dedication to eco-friendly productionmade us Italy’s first kitchen cabinet maker toobtain UNI EN ISO 14001 certification.

Associazione per la rigenerazione degli ambienti naturali

geprüfteSicherheit

ICILAUNI EN ISO 14001 : 96

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Warranties: A Way of Judging Quality

What else can help me decide besides sealsof approval?Since there are so many different seals ofapproval and they evaluate so many differentelements, we’ll try to analyze the productdirect. We want to share some of ourexpertise to give you technical knowledge anda more discerning eye.

One way of judging product quality is lookingat product support, something we generallyignore in the excitement of buying a newkitchen.The most important aspect is the length andquality of the warranty. The more reliable aproduct, the longer the warranty. But warrantylength is not enough; it is also a good idea to

study the fine print. Sometimes, warrantiesare so restrictive that they do away with allthe advantages.

Do look at the length of the warranty and read the fine print carefully. That could wipe out any benefits from thewarranty itself.

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Valcucine Warranties

Five-year complete guarantee

All Valcucine kitchen cabinets come with afive-year warranty. All you have to do is fillin the marketing questionnaire.During the warranty period, Valcucinepromises to substitute or repair free ofcharge all pieces that are defective in origin,with transport free of charge from thedealers.The dealer promises to cover the costs ofall warranty-related transport andmanpower.The dealer’s guarantee is only valid whenstamped and signed by the same.

Futuro Program

Styles of kitchens come and go. Whathappens when you want to expand yourkitchen and the models you like are nolonger produced?To help, at Valcucine, we give ourcustomers our “Futuro Program” warranty.For at least seven years from the date ofpurchase, we promise availability of all thepieces your need to change or expand yourkitchen in the same style. If Valcucine stopsproducing your model within those years,and is unable to supply you with the piecesyou need, we promise to replace, free ofcharge all the pieces that need to besubstituted because they do not match thenew kitchen cabinets. Just choose fromamong the new Valcucine models.

Compare product support services carefully as well as quality and price, when deciding. And don’t forget to get awritten guarantee that spare parts will be provided if needed.

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Quality: Tested and Guaranteed

Good design isn’t the only thing thatguarantees product quality and safety. All ofyour kitchen’s parts and materials have toundergo stringent, uncompromisingtesting.Standardized testing is the only way that wecan evaluate a material’s resistance to thestress it undergoes in carrying out itsfunction.Along with control in our own testingcenter, Valcucine also tests its materials atthe CATAS Furniture and Wood ProductsResearch and Development Center formaterial quality certification.

Testing is repeatedly regularly to maintainuphold standards. All the testing results areincluded in a volume that you can look upat any Valcucine Specialized Dealer.

Check to make sure that the product’s claim to quality is backed up by written certification.

Schede e collaudi CATAS

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Falling in love with a kitchen in a showroomis easy; that’s where it shows off its bestside. But move it somewhere else and akitchen doesn’t have the same feel at all. Sobefore you buy, make sure you get anaccurate plan that makes the most rational

use of the space available. The plans shouldcome out of suggestions by an architectyou trust, and not an endless comparisonof prices. That only leads to standardizedsolutions, and functionality suffers as aresult. A designer’s work is very delicate

and only a good professional knows how tofind the right balance that will make yourkitchen beautiful AND function.

Before buying a new kitchen, do have a good designer design it meet to your needs.

Valcucine has a book all about designingthe kitchen environment. Ask for it at yourValcucine Specialized Dealers. Or if you callus, we’ll send it to you, free of charge.

Planning Your Kitchen

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Whether you choose modular units or a continuous unit for your kitchen, do be sure that they have efficientsealing against seepage.

Modular unitsModular units are more versatile than akitchen with a continuous counter top..They can be moved around in differentcombinations and are easier to handle ifyou move.But there are also more places for the kindof spills and seepage that lead to warping,mildew and dirt. Valcucine has water-tightseals around the sink, the cooktop and theedges of your counter top.

Continuous counter unitsA more linear style, with an unbroken workarea and a better look.There is less of a problem of spillage at theends. Valcucine also puts hermeticallysealed sideguards on its continuouscounter top kitchen units.

Modular units or Continuous Counter Units?

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Toekicks, Legs or Suspended Units?

Kitchen units with toekicks

Advantages: You don’t see the dirt under theunits and you can use almost all the spacedown to just a few inches from the ground.And it’s easy to install a dishwasher.

Disadvantages: Even if you can’t see it, dirtaccumulates under the unit anyway becausethe skirting isn’t sealed. Cleaning under theunits is difficult and you can’t really be sure ofhygiene in your kitchen.

Kitchen units with legs

Advantages: Cleaning under the units iseasier and it’s easier to keep your kitchen freeof germs. And units with legs look lighter andmore graceful.

Disadvantages: With 60 cm bases, there isless space available. Installing a dishwasher is easy with 72 cmbases, as long as they can be adapted to thebaseboard.

Suspended units

Advantages: The unit separate from the floorcreates matchless elegance and a feeling of utterlightness. And cleaning under the units is trouble-free. Better efficiency of heating pavements.

Disadvantages: Storage space is reducedwith 60 cm bases. In addition, it isimpossible to install the outfitted back spaceand use the 80 cm depth to its fullestadvantage. Dishwasher installation is limitede.

Be sure that the unit height fits your own height, whatever model you choose.

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If you want to buy a high quality kitchen,look for units that you can adapt to yourtaste, needs and space.If you want to personalize, the range ofpieces availability is fundamental.

That’s why Valcucine lets you pick out thecolors, finishes, sizes and material just rightfor you. With 2,500,000 items, there’splenty to choose from!

And if you still can’t find anything,Valcucine makes “custom-built” units tomeet any need, in any style you like.

Look for a kitchen with a wide range of choices that will let you put together a personalize, exclusive kitchen.

How to Choose the Right Pieces

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How to Choose the Right Color

Colors bring light into the room. So chooselight colors that reflect the light—a paleyellow or green, for example, or white. Youwon’t get tired of them with time and they

make the space you have look larger. Still, choice of color is a very personalthing. Valcucine has a vast range oflacquered or laminated colors, shiny or

opaque. And if you can’t find exactly whatyou want, at Valcucine we will also paintour units based on a sample that you giveus.

Choose light colors that won’t tire your eyes and will make your kitchen look brighter and larger.

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The lifetime of a kitchen doesn’t onlydepend is physical and technical qualities.Sometimes, you decide to put in new a newkitchen simply because you want a newstyle. You end up throwing out productsthat still work well but are no longer thelatest thing. Try to choose a kitchen with componentsthat are timeless. Pick models with cleanlines, simple forms and attention to detail;that’s what looks best as time passes. And avoid a kitchen that is only square oronly rounded forms, just because it infashion. If you chose a kitchen set withsquare forms, “soften” it with a few curveshere and there. If you want a refined look,steer clear of complicated, elaborate shapesthat are tiring with time. Instead, why notlook at quality hand craftsmanship, worklike inlay. It gives warmth to a room andcreates a cozy atmosphere that will agewell, growing more precious as time goesby.

Evaluate a kitchen by how it looks as well as its technical qualities. And choose a product whose beauty will lastthrough time.

Going Beyond the Latest Fashion

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The Beauty of Hand Craftsmanship

Kitchens all look alike at first. But when youlook carefully, you realize that it’s the detailsthat make the difference. Valcucinepersonalizes its furniture with hand-craftedinlay, an age-old processes ofwoodworking, the fruit of great experienceand skill.These photos illustrate the patient,laborious technique: tiny pieces of wood ofdifferent colors are inlaid by hand ingrooves of the same shape. The piece toinsert and the base are both carefully cut tomatch. The woods used for the inlay aredyed. Take a moment to look at this pagecarefully. It is also a tribute to the skilledcraftsmen who keep our artisan traditionsalive.

Examine the units you are buying carefully. Some decorations may look inlaid, but they are really done by simplysilk-screening.

Layers of dyed veneer are nailed together tomake a block of wood which it then cut.

Tiny pieces of wood are deftly cut out to makeshapes and grooves.

The pieces of colored wood are then insertedby hand in the grooves.

The inlaid panel is then inserted in the sheet ofveneer applied to the door.

The thinhorizontal linesof the Artematicadoor look asthough they’vebeen silk-screened butthey are reallywood inlays.

Care for detail is one of the quality featuresthat is easiest to notice. Instead of asuperficial glance, examine every detail ofthe cabinet, including the inside finishing.That’s the only way of comparing quality.You’ll see that all kitchen furniture is not thesame.

Make sure the product you are buying was produced with care by looking at the tiniest details.

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The “Anta alta” Artematica handle in: basicallya milled slot on the upper edge of the door thatlets the tiny lines of the aluminum border showthrough.

A turned aluminum leg: it tapers down to aminimum point of contact with the floor.

The counter top blends in with the side of theArtematica cabinet, eliminating overtop andcreating a single volume.

An Eye for Detail

valcucine research guided the design of a light bar with LED, to be placed under the wall units ofthe kitchen or under the shelvs of the wall panel. It was designed to have a minimum cross sectionof 8mm, so as to match with the other elements of the kitchen.

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Skilled, Meticulous Assembly

One feature that clearly shows the quality ofthe precision of production, is the fissurebetween the doors. The more precisely acabinet is made, the narrower the fissures.That way, you see the cabinet as a singlevolume and not as different pieces puttogether.

Doors with wide fissures and sharp corners.

A car not made precisely with wide spacesbetween one piece and another.

Precision-made parts turn a car into a singlevolume.

Accurately made doors with rounded corners.

To give you an idea of what we mean, thinkof the improvements in car manufacturingthrough the years. There is less spacearound the different parts, and today yousee a single body, rather than an assemblyof parts.

Take a careful look at the reveals between the doors to judge assembly precision and quality.

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Ergonomics? What’s That?

Ergonomics is another important factor inchoosing a kitchen. Ergonomics is thescience that studies our interaction withliving and work space and the objects weuse. A kitchen is the place where a greatdeal of daily activity takes place: we prepareand cook food and then we eat it. All this iseasier if we have everything at hand and wecan more freely and comfortably withoutgetting tired. But that is often impossiblebecause our kitchen furniture doesn’t meetour physical needs. When you buy a new kitchen, it’s easy toget carried away by our enthusiasm at theway it looks in a showroom. Instead, it’s agood idea to take a closer look at otherfeatures. That way you can chooserationally, and you won’t be forced to spendyour life in a kitchen where incorrectmotion could cause you ham.

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Make sure your kitchen “fits” before you buy it: that way anything you do there will be less tiring and more fun.

Ergonomics: Kitchen Cabinets Made to Fit to You

Don’t you like to taste something before youbuy? And who would ever consider buying acar without taking it for a test drive. Or buyinga new suit without trying it on. And you canadjust the seats in cars and the height of thesteering wheel, while a suit costs much lessthan a new kitchen.

Okay. But how can I “try on” a kitchen?Kitchen cabinets are fixed units and you can’tchange them or adapt them to your needsafter they are installed, that is not without alot of added cost. To help you “try on” yourkitchen, Valcucine has invented Ergolabio, amachine that lets you see how you futurekitchen will fit.

Ergolabio lets you choose the position ofyour wall cabinets and the height and depth ofthe work area according to your needs. So your kitchen is a perfect fit.

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Ergolabio: Adapting Your Kitchen to Your Height

Ergolabio is our new “machine” to “try on”kitchen cabinets and you can only find it atValcucine Specialized Dealers. Before buyingyour kitchen, try it out and adapt themeasures to your height.

Choose the best counter top height for yourown: You won’t have to stoop or stretch inuncomfortable positions.

Choose a deeper counter top: You’ll havegreat freedom of movement and greatvisibility on the worktop.

Choose lower wall cabinets: You’ll be able tosee inside more easily.

Do remember that you have the right to live in a safe, comfortable, functional environment. When you buysomething, make sure it’s ergonomically right for your height.

Ergolabio: only at Valcucine Specialized Dealers.

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Logica System: The Valcucine Ergonomic System

At Valcucine, we pay careful attention to yourneeds. That is why we recently did a study onthe use of kitchens with traditional ergonomicdesign. The videos we took showed sevenmajor problems:

1. Most people are taller today, so the 85 cmstandard counter top height is too low. Thatmakes you bend over in positions that caneventually be bad for your back.

2. Wall cabinets are too close to the facegiving a closed-in feeling and obstruct yourview.

3. The upper shelves in wall cabinets are toohigh, so you can’t see what’s on them.

4. The hood is generally placed at foreheadheight. That forces you to bend over inuncomfortable positions to check pots andpans. And—ouch—it’s also very easy to bangyour head.

5. You have to open and close the doors oftraditional wall cabinets a lot, so you oftenend up leaving them open. Which leads to twoother problems:- the door blocks your view and you feel evenmore closed-in- you can easily bang your head if youstraighten up suddenly.

6. Base cabinets with shelves and doors withhinges are a very uncomfortable system. Youhave to twist around to get anything from theback, it’s hard to see and there’s no light.

7. The toekick is not placed in far enough, soyour feet are pushed back and you have tolean forward, straining your back. If youcabinets have legs, they are not far enoughinside and it’s easy to trip and fall.

To solve these problems and make working inthe kitchen easier, Valcucine has a patentedergonomic system. Our Logica System allowsyou to adapt the height and depth of yourcounter top, add our special Equipped BackChannel, open your wall cabinets comfortably,equip your cabinets with storage bins anddrawers, use corner spaces rationally, andhave proper lighting for you counter tops.

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Counter Top Heights: 76 cm and 100 cm

Working at a counter top that’s too high ortoo low forces you to take unnaturalpositions that eventually strain your back.While people aren’t all the same height,most kitchen counter tops only come instandard sizes.

And while people on the average are tallertoday, cabinets have not changed. Manycompanies continue to use a toekick heightof 10 cm for a total height of 85-86 cm.

Valcucine counter tops change their heightaccording to yours. So your counter top isright for you, whether you’re short or tall.

Average suggested counter top height, based on how tall you are.

Do demand that your counter top is ergonomically right for you. That way, you’ll avoid unnatural positions thatcan tire you out and hurt your back.

8276

88

91 94

100

150

÷ 16

0

160

÷ 17

0

170

÷ 18

0

180

÷ 19

0

190

÷ 20

0

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Cabinet Depths: 60 cm - 65 cm - 80 cm

60 cmWith a traditional depth of 60 cm, wallcabinets are too close to your face, givingyou a close-in feeling. Wall cabinets have tobe at least 54 cm high above the countertopfor best visibility, but that makes it hard foryou to see inside and get what you need.The 60 cm depth is now obsolete.

Logica System 65 cm depthValcucine uses deeper, more ergonomiccounter tops for its base cabinets. A depthof 65 cm gives you more freedom ofmovement because you have more workingspace and a better field of vision. And thatway, you can lower the wall cabinets to only48 cm from the counter top, making iteasier to see inside.

Logica System 80 cm depthA depth of 80 cm gives you more openroom, more freedom of movement and aperfect line of Sight. And it lets you lowerthe wall cabinets to 42 cm. That way, youcan see everything inside, even on the topshelf!

Choose deep counter tops if you have the room. You’ll have more freedom of movement, more space to work andyou’ll be able to see better inside.

60

54

65

48

80

42

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Advantages of Our Logica System: A Depth of 80 cm

Too awkwardThe height of wall cabinets generallyprevents a complete view of the topshelves—and what’s on them. And if you’reshort, reaching up is even harder.

Freedom to lower the wall cabinetto get something or raise it to seebetterA depth of 80 cm lets you lower the wallcabinet to get something easily from inside,or push it up out of the way. And that givesyou more room to work.

Too dangerousThe doors of traditional wall cabinets canbe an obstacle that gives you that closed-infeelings. And—ouch—it’s easy to bangyour head if you leave them open. Howoften does that happen?

Freedom to moveYou can leave swing-up doors open whileyou work and move from side to side orbend down without the constant risk ofbanging your head.

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Dishes are too high upThe dish rack in the wall cabinet over thesink is much too high, you have to stretchuncomfortably to put the dishes away andthe water drips onto your arm. And thecabinet is very hard to clean.

Freedom to work withoutobstaclesA depth of 80 cm lets you put a drainingrack BEHIND the sink without tiringmovements or getting wet. The drying rackleads straight to the drain. The system ismore antiseptic because otherwise,stagnant water can breed germs andbacteria.

Uncomfortable for cookingIn traditional kitchens, the hood is usuallytoo low. This does not leave you enoughroom to see at what’s cooking.

Freedom to move easily and checkall the potsLibera hood, swings up gracefully, opensyour line of sight and lets you get closer tothe stove to check on foods safely.Valcucine also uses ergonomics in thedesign of its Picchio, Cielo,Libellula, Colibrìand 8 mm hood.

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The Logica System Equipped Back Channel

The Logica System Equipped Back Channelis a 20 cm wide strip inserted between thebase cabinets and the wall, along thecounter top, the sink or the cooktop. It is anindependent module and can be applied toany model Valcucine kitchen cabinets youchoose. The space can be outfitted with aseries of containers to store items generally

spread throughout the kitchen: there areelectric sockets and gas valves, racks forflatware and knives, trays to hold food ordish-washing liquid and racks to draindishes and glasses. The Equipped BackChannel modules can be arrangedaccording to your needs, letting you workmore easily, with everything within reach.

The space below the containers can beused to run water lines, drains, electrical orgas with ease and flexibility.

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Accessories in the Equipped Back Channel

Dish rack for plates and glasses areremovable, dishwasher-safestainless steel grates.The system is connected directly tothe drain so that water drainsimmediately, making it easier tokeep the area germ-free.

The bin with swing-up door to storecleaning materials. Great forkeeping detergents out of children’sreach.

The swing-up door that lets you getto the gas valve easily—this isgenerally too hard to reach to turnoff daily.

Containers for electric sockets andemergency switches forappliances. They are also wideenough to hold cables that take upspace on the counter top.

Natural wooden shelf with slots tohold wooden or non-toxic Tefloncutting boards. Knife racks thatkeep the blades covered andpointing downward for safety.

Stainless steel removable,dishwasher-safe food containers invarious sizes, all with lids.Convenient to have around whencooking.

The electronic scale weighs up to 2kgs of food with a precision ofwithin 1 g. It allows for tare weightso that you can weigh food in itscontainer. The scale is always therewhen you need it.

Valcucine has also included avacuum food sealer in its outfittedback space. Lets you remove airfrom plastic bags, food keeps lon-ger and tastes better.

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Ergonomics of Toekicks and Legs

AwkwardThe toekick is not far enough in, so yourfeet are too far from the work area. Thismakes you bend over, which hurts yourback.

Freedom to work more comfortablyThe toekick is set farther back and you canwork closely to the counter top—with yourback straight!

Dangerous when you move to thesideWhen the legs are not placed back forenough, tripping over them is easy.

Freedom to moveThe legs are farther back and don’t get in yourway.

If you choose toekicks or legs, make sure that they are set far enough back so that you can move side to sidewithout tripping.

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Logica System Outfitted Bases

Removing items from cabinets isdifficult Traditional base cabinets with shelves meanthat you have to kneel to get to spaces thatare almost always inaccessible and poorly lit.

Freedom to see and access items incabinetsWith our pull-out storage drawers, you cansee everything that’s inside, neatly arrangedand easy to reach. You don’t have to twistaround in awkward positions to get tosomething you need.

Drawers that do not open all of the wayDrawers and bins that only open partiallydon’t allow a complete view of what’s inside.You end up groping for what you need andcreating clutter.

Full accessibility Drawers and bins that pull out all the way letyou see what is in them. There really is aplace for everything and everything in itsplace..

Choose convenient storage bins and arrange them to meet your needs. Be sure the slides let you pull them all the way out and that they can withstand heavy weights.

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Ergonomics of Logica System Storage Bins

Valcucine storage bins can be outfitted witha number of professional-style rods anddowels in natural wood or aluminum thatkeep things from moving around and thespace neater. All 90 cm and 120 cm jumbodrawers have sturdy slides for smooth,

silent opening. And they can hold up to 70kg!Valcucine jumbo drawers are equipped witha device to help you pull them out straightand the special side boards keep thingsfrom spilling out.

You can store dishes, pots, detergents,utensils and food inside. You can even putin trash cans for recycling!

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Logica System Drawers

You can outfit Valcucine drawers withaccessories to divide the space so there is aplace for everything and everything withineasy reach. Valcucine puts a non-toxicrubber mat into the drawers. This keepsthings from sliding around when youopening or close the them.

Over time moving objects can ruin thebottoms of drawers.The rubber mat also makes the drawerseasier to clean. All drawers come with self-closing mechanism. To avoid toxicemission, all drawars are in natural wood.

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Ergonomics of Wall Cabinet Doors

At Valcucine, we study the way that our wall cabinets open to make them practical and easy to use.Our carefully tested system keeps thedoors open without their interfering with your work. They become handy pantries that you can get to whenever you need them. No moreconstant opening and closing of traditional doors. When you’re finished in the kitchen, just pull the door down with a flick of your wrist andyour kitchen is uncluttered once again.

Wall cabinets with lift-up doorsPractical, giving you freedom of movement,with the door up and out of the way. Workingwith the doors open is safer.

Wall cabinets with folding doorsTake up less space than normal doors. Asystem of hinges and slides makes them easyto open.

Wall cabinets with sliding glass doorMore convenient than a traditional system buthalf the cabinet is always covered and youhave to keep moving the door back and forth.

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Valcucine’s Patented Ala Wall Cabinet

The Ala wall cabinet door opens upwardwith just a flick of your wrist. Thanks toidden counterweight, there is no need forsprings or pistons. When it’s open, the doorstays out of your way.

Just lift open the door and it stays, as longas you need it. No need to keep openingand closing doors.

Ala wall cabinet doors can be long as youwant them, up to 2.4 meters for a singlecabinet. That way, there is no need for thestandard 15 cm module with unsightlyfillers between them.

There is no need for an inside divider, youhave more space and a better view within inreach.

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Valcucine’s Patented Aerius Wall Cabinet

Furthermore, the LED lights ensure stabilityto the light even if the unit should vibrate,no ultraviolet or infrared emissions anddoes not emit heat contrarily to other lights.To satisfy functionality requirements theunit has been designed to have readyaccess to service elements that are usuallyfitted behind cabinets. In Aerius it is possible to simply removethe back panel, that is available in variouscolours, without having to move the wholeunit. The unit has also been designed to beil luminated on the inside by utmostexploitation of external illumination.This is why it is made from transparentmaterial so that costly interior illuminationsystems become unnecessary.The light weight of the unit is combinedwith an extra-light, balanced lift-up door. The new door features a very lightweighthoneycombed aluminium structure to whichvarious finishing materials can be added. The lift-up door is fitted with a balancingsystem that permits easy opening withoutthe use of hinges, pistons, sprockets or

The new light and resistant unit has beendesigned entirely in glass and aluminium tobe 100% recyclable. Complying with a fur-ther fundamental environmental friendlinesscriterium, the unit is produced by reducingthe consumption of raw materials by 70%. The unit is available in 15 different sizesgoing from 90 to 300 cm lengths makingit possible to eliminate the use of doubleside panels that is inevitable when variousmodules are fitted side by side. The new unit has also been designed toaccomodate a led lighting system and anaccessory hanging bar. This innovation in worktop illuminationbrings remarkable advantages in termsof material and energy savings. The8mm thickness gives the bar a linearand minimalist line. The new illuminating structure givesremarkable advantages in terms of ener-gy consumption that is exceptionallyinferior to common incandescent lampsas wel l as be ing far more durable(100,000 hours of constant luminosity).

springs that are all subject to wear. It isopened by a simple upward touch of thehand that makes the interior space imme-diately accessible. It is possible to work comfortably whileleaving the door open thus avoiding thecontinuous opening and closing move-ments that are inevitable when using tradi-tional doors.

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Pantry cabinet with steel wire shelves andstorage bins.

Ergonomics of Pantry Cabinets

Using pantry cabinets in your kitchen givesyou a lot of storage space when you havelimited room. They help you avoid wallcabinets that would obstruct your work

area and line of sight. Functional pantrycabinets have doors that open wide to letyou see and access ietms inside.Valcucine makes pantry cabinets with steel

wire shelves and bins or beech woodshelves and drawers. All drawers have fullextension runners

Pullout pantry cabinet with steel wire storagebins.

Pullout pantry cabinet with steel wire drawers.

Include a convenient pantry cabinet pantry if you have the room in your kitchen.

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Oven cabinet.

If you decide to install your oven in a cabinet, make sure it is placed at the height that’s best for you.

When you put your oven inside a cabinet,you can use it more easily without havingto bend over. Be very careful about the height: if it is toohigh or too low it is hard to use.

Decide on the height when you arechoosing your cabinets.

Ergonomics of the Oven Cabinet

41

Ergonomics of Corner Cabinets

Make sure that rotating cabinet system doors are functional and accessible. Showroom models are often empty.Something that feels practical and light when empty can become awkward and hard to manage when full.

Kitchen corners have always been aproblem. You must take into account howthe cabinet opens, accessibility to itemsinside and rational use of the space.Our special, patented rotating pantry has acurved sliding door that you can leave openwhile you work.

That way you can easily get to whateveryou need inside whenever you want. Thecabinets have 5 storage shelves that rotateindependently so that you can find whatyou want. The inside light turns onautomatically when you open the door.

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Ergonomics of Corner Base Cabinets

If you have traditional base cabinets withfixed shelves or round storage baskets, youhave to bend down and twist around to getthings in the back of the cabinet.Valcucine ergonomic and functional kitchencabinets let you use all the room you haveas efficently as possible.

Corner base cabinet with retractable doors androtating bins are morepractical than fixed shelves orround storage baskets because they hold more.

Corner base cabinet with new pull-out storage bins:they hold more and allow you to use the spacerationally.

Corner base cabinet with curved sliding door androtating storage baskets. The best solution in termsof ergonomics and rational use of space.

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Lighting Your Kitchen

Be sure that the lighting in your kitchen is designed properly. Be sure to choose a low-energy system.

People often forget about installing properlighting when they design their kitchens. Thisisunfortunate because the way lights arearranged is very important. Not only is it apractical problem; the right lighting makes abig difference in the way your kitchen looks,and feels. Much of the warm, homey

atmosphere in your kitchen comes from theway light and shadows fall. When a room is too bright, it flattens outshapes and soften detail. Too much contrastbetween light and dark is hard on your vision.Use a number of light sources to highlight thedetails that create an atmosphere with a

softer scattered light that doesn’t tire the eye.The colors of your lights are important also.Cool fluorescent lighting is too stimulatingand harsh. Warm lights are better.Warm colors are relaxing and make theatmosphere feel friendly and pleasant.

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Proper Lighting of Your Work Area

A. Overhead lighting: This is the worst systembecause your shadow falls onto the worksurface.

B. Valcucine lighting bar. Placed underneaththe wall cabinets, this lighting gives youexcellent visibility without shining in youreyes. It balances the cone of light fromoverhead lighting.

C. Spotlights on the overshelf: The lightbothers your eyes. The door underneathmight burn. You can’t use swing-up doors.

D. Fluorescent lights on the shelves withValcucine light shields: Only the worksurface is lit. You can leave the doors openwithout the risk of their catching fire.

E. Unlit sink cabinet: It’s hard to see what’sbelow the sink.

F. Lighting in the sink cabinet: a light underthe sink that turns on automatically whenyou open the door. That way, you can seeinside.

G. Unlit cabinets: It’s almost impossible tosee, especially if the shelves are nottransparent.

H. Lighting in the cabinets: When there is alight in the top of the cabinet and theselves are made of steel wire or glass, youcan see everything that is in the cabinet.

A B

C D

E F

G H

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The Right Choices for Easy Cleaning

The kitchen is the place where you preparefood, this is whre hygiene and cleanlinesscount the most.If your cabinets are not properly designed,they can collect dirt, grease and germs thatare hard to get rid of.Here are some suggestions to help youchoose the right cabinet for your pouposes.

Seamless surfacesThe first thing to avoid is sharp insidecorners. It’s hard for you to reach that cornerand clean it thoroughly.A. Sink with raised borders: dirt can collect

along the edge.B. Sink set in into the work surface: flush with

the counter top, making cleaning easier.C. Embedded handle with overlapping edge:

dirt builds up along the edge.D. Embedded handle flush with surface: easily

cleaned.E. Right angle where counter top and front

panel meet: hard to clean.F. Rounded angle joining front panel and

counter top: easy to clean.

A B

C D

E F

Lavello con bordosporgente

Maniglia conbordo sporgente

Spigolo vivo

Angolo raccordato

Maniglia conbordo “a filo”

Lavello “a filo”

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Choose kitchen cabinets that you can keep clean and germ-free. Corners should be joined smoothly, withoutspaces or deep-set trim.

Eliminating the door frameA. Doors are often built of aluminum frames

around a panel. It is hard to clean aroundthe edge between the frame and the panel.

B. At Valcucine, we were the first companyever to build a door with an aluminumframe hidden by the panel. This meansthat the outside surface is perfectlysmooth and easy to clean.

Eliminating spacesC. In your kitchen, spaces are receptacles of

dirt and germs. Check to make sure thatthere are no gaps, for example betweenthe countertop and the front trim.

D. Valcucine puts in silicone rubber create aseal between the countertop and thealuminum trim so that nothing can seep in.

E. If the channels in outfitted back panels arenot closed they can collect germs and dirt.

F. Valcucine closes the spaces keeping dirt out.

A B

C D

E F

Telaio esternoin alluminio

Telaio internoin alluminio

Fessura

Gommasiliconica

Fessura

Tenutaermetica

Profilo inalluminio di chiusura

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MaterialsPeople generally choose the facing of theirkitchen cabinets according to personal tasteand forget to consider practical aspects, suchas keeping stains and marks off the surfacesas long as possible.These are important factors, especially if youhave children and little time to clean up. Try toavoid materials that scratch easily.Often, the materials used for the facing onkitchen cabinets pick up fingerprints (even ifyour hands are clean). It is difficult to keepfingerprints off of stainless steel. AtValcucine, we advise against using stainlesssteel for the doors that children can easilyreach (Fig. A). Instead, we have developed anew aluminum surface, with a specialoxidation that looks like steel without theproblem of showing fingerprints (Fig. B). Dark laminate tends to show fingerprints, solight colors work better.

Wood varies according to the type of stainused. Generally there is no problem withcleaning, because its uneven surface does nothold stains or fingerprints.

Choose materials that don’t show fingerprints and smooth surfaces that don’t hold dirt.

traditional steel surface

New Valcucine aluminum surface with stainless steel finish

A

B

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Opaque surfaces attract dirt more than shiny surfaces. Scratchproof laminates have an orange peel-like uneven surface. The deeper areas are hardto clean because dirt gets inside and is difficult to remove.You should avoid embossed surfaces, especially if you live in an area with hard water, i.e. with a high calcium content: when the water dries, thecalcium deposits in the pores and builds up over time (/Fig. A).Dirt and calcium are easily removed from smooth or scratchproof surfaces (Fig. B).Ridged surfaces are often used in kitchens. Judge for yourself: the deeper the ridges, the harder it is to clean them.Ridged surfaces with deep grooves and side frame are hard to clean. (Fig. C).Ridged surface with shallow grooves and no side frame are easy to clean. (Fig. D).

A B

C D

Surfaces

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The Materials Used

One way to judge the quality of the cabinetsyou are buying is to see exactly what theyare made of and the characteristics of thatmaterial. Until recently, all you could dowas accept the company’s word. .

You have the right to know exactly what your kitchen cabinets are made of. Ask to see the product cards and havea copy attached to the contract. This ensures that you will receive exactly what you ordered. If something goeswrong, your written proof is a guarantee.

We want to make it easier for you torecognize the materials we use, so we willdescribe our cabinets, dividing them intotheir three main parts:

The interiorCounter topsDoors

Take a look at them. That will give you abetter idea of the quality of the products onthe market.

Doors

The interior

Countertops

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Valcucine: The Whole Story on the Materials We Use

All Valcucine Specialized Dealers will giveyou all of the technical information youneed, specifying the materials used for allof the parts of its cabinets and kitchenequipment, in the simplest languagepossible chipboard is chipboard, not “woodparticle panel”). Even if you’re buying amodular kitchen, the technical informationwill help you identify all of the parts,because there is a card for every model andevery module. We will give you a copywhen you purchase your kitchen.This does away with the chance of fraud.You can be sure of the quality of our rawmaterials. At Valcucine, we display panels

with samples of the materials we use in ourkitchen cabinets so that you can see whatthey look like inside. There are samples ofhow our materials behave after resistance,heat and water tests in comparison to othermaterials.

The materials used in our kitchenfurniture

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Cabinet Interiors in Melamine Board

Almost all of the interiors of kitchencabinets have melamine facing. Melamineis impervious to scratching, abrasions andstains but it is not resistant to water andhumidity because it is made fromchipboard panels.

Is all melamine facing the same?No. One type of facing — known as V100 —is much more water-resistant than traditionaltypes. It is not completely water-proofhowever and can be ruined by seepage withtime (Fig A-B).

Another important difference is theemission of formaldehyde (a gassuspected of being carcinogenic), whichmelamine facing continues to give off foryears after it is sold.

Interior of normal chipboard after immersionin water for 1 hour. The chipboard is warpedand detached from the edge

Interior of imitation wood facingInterior of V100 water-repellent chipboardafter immersion in water for 1 hour. Slight,imperceptible warping.

Before you buy, make sure you see the technical data that guarantees the use of V100 and Class E1 water-repellent facing.

Interiors with melamine facing can lookjust like wood (Fig. C). That is anotherreason to make sure that you look at thetechnical data.

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Plywood Interiors

Upon request, Valcucine will use realplywood for its interiors.

Is it easy to recognize real plywoodinteriors?Today, manufacturers use edging thatperfectly imitates plywood. It is easy tomistake imitation for real plywood panels.The best way to tell them apart is to studythe technical data.

Interior in imitation plywood Interior in real plywood

Keep an eye out for possible imitations. Before you decide on plywood interiors, ask to see the technical data.

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Is All Plywood the Same?

The different types of plywood on themarket behave differently when theyundergo water- and heat resistance testing.

Valcucine uses Class 3 plywood (the bestthere is). It has a much higher resistance towater than V100 water-repellentchipboard, it is even used for exteriors.Valcucine’s plywood interiors use layers ofveneer bound with exceptionally waterproofglue. The surface is composed of HPLlaminated sheets instead of the melaminepaper used in chipboard. The panel resistsscratches, abrasion, impact, steam andheat.

Does plywood have edging that can comeunglued?The natural beauty of plywood makesedging unnecessary. Heat and humidity cancause edging to become unglued.

Think seriously about buying kitchen cabinets with interiors in real Class 3 plywood. There is no comparison with normal chipboard interiors in terms of quality and durability.

After immersion in water for 1 hour: visiblewarping; loose edging.

Interior of melamine faced chipboardwith imitation plywood edging.

Interior of Valcucine Class 3plywood

After being exposed to 100°C for 10 minutes:edging is unglued.

After immersion in water for 1 hour: nowarping.

After being exposed to 100°C for 10 minutes:no warping.

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Other Things To Check in Cabinet Interiors

Many of the kitchen cabinets sold are notvery deep, which means that they don’thold very much. The ideal depth for wallcabinets is about 35 cm with 31 cm ofuseable space. You should also check tosee that the base interiors are deep enoughto allow for a 48 cm depth for drawers.Make sure that you can adjust the wallfastenings from the interior and that theyare tested to withstand overloading. Forexample, if a child grabs onto a cabinet toreach something, it could become

unhooked if its fastenings are not strongenough. Shelves shouldn’t simply lean ontheir support; they should be safelyfastened.Interior walls that are 18 mm think arestronger than those that are 16 mm thick.There should also be facing on the back ofthe interiors, at least 3 mm thick.The glue used to attach the front edgesshould have a tempering temperature of90°C.

If hot melt glues with a low temperingtemperature were used (60-60°C) and thecabinet is placed near the oven, its frontedge could become detached.

Do check the depth of the interiors, the type of wall fastenings and material thickness when you choose. And findout what kind of glue was used.

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Counter Tops

Choose your counter tops based on your needs and taste. Do not forget to take a look at the advantages anddisadvantages of each material.

Counter tops are one of the hardest thingsto choose when you are buying kitchencabinets. There are so many choicesavailable and you don’t always get completeinformation on the advantages anddisadvantages of different materials. In the next few pages, we’ll be taking a lookat the different types of counter tops andgive an objective view of the pros and consof each.

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Laminated Counter Tops

Laminate is the most common material forkitchen counter tops. Not all laminates arethe same.

How can I be sure of laminate quality?First, don’t trust the words “scratch-resistant” and “stain-resistant”. No laminateis completely scratchproof or stain-proof.However, there are European regulationsthat assign the code HPL to high qualitylaminate. HPL laminate meets qualitystandards to resist scratches, heat, steam,

water, stains, impact and abrasion.The support of the laminated counter topcan be made of normal chipboard or V100water-repellent chipboard. Normalchipboard does not resist water and eventhe slightest seepage causes it to swell anddetach itself from the laminate.Water-repellent chipboard is highlyresistant to water, though not completelywaterproof, water seepage can still causedamage.

You can choose Valcucine kitchen cabinetsmade of water-repellent V100, Class E1chipboard. But if you don’t want chipboardin your kitchen, we also make counter topsin lumber-core, made with an outer layer ofplywood and a core layer of solid wood.

Ask that your counter tops have HPL laminate facing and support in water-repellent V100, Class E1 chipboard.

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Sealing Against Seepage

If you want a laminate counter top to last alifetime, it must be properly sealed againstwater seepage. Not only will this protect the counter top, itwill also eliminate mildew and bad smells

that come from water stagnating in placesyou cannot clean.At Valcucine, we study old kitchens topinpoint exactly where water leaks in. Evenwe were amazed at the damage we found.

Where does water seep in? And how canwe eliminate it?

At the sink, water can drip down the edge and even ruin the doors in the cabinet below.

Traditional systemWithout any place to collect, water falls over theedge and can seep into the underside of thecounter top and ruin the doors below.

Valcucine SystemValcucine counter tops have a drip-catchingcontour that keeps water from dripping down.

Profilo salvagocce

Be sure that your kitchen has a practical system for preventing seepage.

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If the sink is set at the end of the module, water can spill over the side.

Traditional systemIf the sideguard is simply set next to the sink,water can seep in between the counter top andthe sideguard.

Valcucine systemThe sideguard fits over the counter top andthere is a groove for the sealer. That reallykeeps water out.

The water that builds up behind the sink can seep under the backsplash and splashes can leak down the wall,seeping into the back of the cabinet.

Traditional systemThe plastic base can bend out of shape and thebottom does not press closely enough againstthe counter top. Water can seep in under thebacksplash.

Valcucine systemScrews keep the silicon rubber seal in place,making the backguard water-repellent. That isbecause the backguard support is in aluminumand not plastic, so it doesn’t bend out of shapewith the pressure of the screws.

Semi-rigid PVC

Groove forseal

Plastic structure

Basicstructure inAluminum

Soft siliconerubber

Possibleseepagepoint

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Steam from the dishwasher condenses on the bottom edge of the counter top.

Traditional systemSteam penetrates where the upper and lowerlaminate meet, ruining the counter top.

Valcucine systemThe aluminum edging is steam-resistant,protecting the counter top.

At a corners the two counter tops meet and must be sealed.

System without tight-joint-fastener With time, lack of sealer or tight-joint-fastener tokeep the seam stable allows water to seep in.

System with staysCorrect sealing and tight-joint-fastener ensure astable, tightly sealed seam over time.

Possible seepagepoint

Possible seepagepoint

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Protecting Counter Tops from Water

Drip-catching border: stops water from dripping down from the countertop.

Valcucine side protection: perfectly sealed to keep water from dripping down the cabinet sides.

Sealed edge: prevents seepage and keeps water from ruining countertop.

Counter tops have to be protected fromwater that seeps and spills, especially nearthe sink. Protection on the side should stop waterfrom dripping down along the sides. At thefront there should be a raised border tocatch drips, it should be perfectly sealed tokeep seeping water from ruining thecounter top.

sealing

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Valcucine Laminated Counter Tops

Counter tops with water-repellentchipboardValcucine counter tops with V100, Class E1water-repellent chipboard support are facedwith 0,8 and 2 mm thik HPL laminates. 2mm laminate allows us to install the sinkflush without the danger of water.We use an aluminum frame to hold up thecounter top. That means thinner chipboard,and savings of material and energy. Thealuminum extrusion is 100% recyclable.

5mm counter tops This material has high impact resistancetand allows us to install the sink flushwithout the danger of water seepage.

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Advantages of Ultra-Thick Laminate Counter Tops

There are a number of new sinks on themarket that you can set in the counter topso that it is flush with the surface. Thisdoes away with the raised border aroundthe edges. A sink set flush allows you tomove objects around without the danger ofthem tipping. Cleaning is easier and morethorough.A. Flush sinks are often mounted on 0.6

cm thick counter tops. This can allowwater seepage between the laminateand the chipboard below.

B. Valcucine uses a 2 mm thick laminate.This allows us to set the edge of thesink inside a 1 mm ridge. That way, thesink is sealed directly into the laminateand is fully water-resistant.

Choose a sink set flush with your counter top. It’s easier to move things around and keep the area clean. And be sure to find out how thick the laminate is.

Traditional sink Sink set flush

Traditional laminate Valcucine laminate: prevents water seepage

A B

Thin laminate Ultra-thicklaminate

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A stainless steel counter top gives you amore professional kitchen. But don’t expectit to stay shiny and scratch-free. A steelcounter top is hygienic, stain resistant andindestructible. It does get scratched andconsumers often complain because theythought they were buying a surface thatwould not show wear. Remember that the tiny scratches on thesurface do not make the counter top lookruined. Instead they give it a well-worn,homey feeling, making it lovelier each daybecause of the memories it holds. If youwant your kitchen to look new forever, this

is not the material you should choose. Hardwater also tends to mark steel, althoughthere are products available today thatremove calcium easily.Check on steel thickness. The thicker it is,the more it resists denting. Valcucine uses12/10 thick sheets of steel.One great advantage of steel counter tops isthat you can weld them directly to the sinkbowls. This gives you a clean, unbrokenline and avoids edges where dirt can buildup. You can also have the cooktop set in asingle block with the counter top, butValcucine advises against that. Cooktops

are shorter-lived than counter tops, soyou’ll end up having to substitute the entirepiece if you have to put in a new stove.

How can I recognize high quality steel?Use a magnet. High quality steel is notmagnetic. Low quality steel will attract amagnet. That means it contains iron andmight rust with time.

A stainless steel counter top is the best to use in a kitchen. But remember that you’ll have to accept theoccasional mark and tiny scratches that form on its surface.

Stainless Steel Counter Tops

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Be sure that the marble or granite you choose is treated with stain-repellent. Remember to repeat the treatment every so often, because with it wears off with time.

Marble and Granite Counter Tops

What’s the difference between marble andgranite?Marble is of sedimentary origin and itconsists mainly of calcium carbonate. It hasvery little resistance to acid. Even weak acidsuch as vinegar, lemon, tea and coffeecorrode it, leaving an opaque stain. Nothingcan protect marble from that kind of stain.Granite comes from magma and itcomposed primarily of quartz. It repelsacids perfectly. But along with corrosionstains, there are other colored liquids thatpenetrate inside the material’s pores. Bothmarble and granite are somewhat porous(marble even more so) and they can stain.Even water can create a dark spot whichdisappears as it evaporates. In order tokeep your granite counter tops fromstaining, the surface has to be treated withan impregnating agent that seals the pores;this treatment needs to be repeated once ortwice a year. At Valcucine, we do lab teststo choose the best impregnating agent, buteven that can’t guarantee total stain-resistance.

Sezione di unporo di marmo(o granito),riempito diimpregnante: illiquido coloratonon riesce apenetrare.

Cross-section ofa marble (orgranite) pore:the coloredliquid penetratesthe pore.

Macchia dicoloredeterminatadall’infiltrazionedi liquidi coloratinei pori delmarmo o delgranito.

Corrosion stainfrom thechemicalreaction of acidand marblecalciumcarbonate.

Valcucine’s lab test to find the best impregnating agent.

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Characteristics of Marble and Granite Counter Tops

Table of radioactivity of granite, marble and synthetic counter top materials that Valcucine uses.

Do marble and granite get scratched?Granite is exceptionally hard and highlyscratched-resistant. Marble is less resistantand can scratch easily.

Do marble and granite resist heat?Both materials are very resistant to hightemperatures. Still, glass-ceramic cooktopsget very hot indeed, and can cause thecounter top to crack.

All of the defects described above shouldnot discourage you from buying a naturalmaterial that is highly suited to use in thekitchen. Just remember that, with time,you’ll you will be able to appreciate thewell-worn, homey feeling that comes fromthe tiny imperfections that only add to thebeauty of natural materials.

Natural radioactivity of graniteValcucine has tested the radioactivity ingranite, marble and Crystallite (see table).Granite has a certain amount of naturalradioactivity, marble very little andCrystallite almost none If you don’t wantmaterials with radioactivity in your home, itwould be better not to choose granite.

Marble counter top

238U (uranium 238) < 38,9 < 23,1 < 30,6 < 49,4 < 11,1 not present

235U (uranium 235) < 32,7 < 18 < 24,3 < 39,5 < 9,32 < 5

226Ra (radium 226) 98,1 15 81,6 50,2 12,3 < 2

228Ra (radium 228) 86,1 20,5 26,2 215 < 1,28 7

228Th (torium 228) 72,3 20,1 17,1 214 < 2,53 5,4

CristaliteGraniglia mod.

counter topBq/kg

WhiteCarraramarbleBq/kg

DioritegraniteBq/kg

WhitePeperinograniteBq/kg

Grey whitegraniteBq/kg

White stonegraniteBq/kg

Values

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Synthetic counter tops

There are also synthetic counter tops madeto resemble granite and marble of suchhigh quality that you can be easily fooled.This is another reason why it is importantto study the technical data describing thematerial’s characteristics.There are two main types of syntheticmaterials: high-resin and low-resinmaterials

How can I tell the difference between ahigh-resin and a low-resin material?Try scratching them with a pointy metalobject. Low-resin material does not scratch.High-resin material scratches easily.

High-resin counter topsAdvantages: stain-resistant; easy to workwith because they are soft; any scratchesthat form can be sanded out; easily weldedto form single counter tops without seams.

Be sure that you get a long warranty for this type of counter top. That way, you’ll be protected against productssold without testing. You will avoid unpleasant surprises.

Disadvantages: not very hard, so theyscratch easily. Not very resistant to hightemperatures.Given its lack of resistance to heat andscratching, Valcucine does not makecounter tops from this material.

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Low-resin counter topsAdvantages: With a 90% content of naturalquartz, low-resin counter tops areextremely scratch-resistant and are almostas hard as granite. They are completelywater- and humidity proof, as acid-resistantas granite and even more stain-resistant.In comparison to a natural counter top, oursynthetic counter tops have a lowerenvironmental impact since the quartz isonly used is only 11mm thick and isproduced totally without waste. Thisreduces excavation of stone by 85%.Valcucine uses Crystallite, which, unlikegranite, has almost no radioactivity.

Consider getting a Cristalite counter top. It has a high mechanical resistance and is more stain-resistant thangranite with lower environmental impact.

11

A dematerialized Crystallite counter top—manufactured with a minimum of materialand energy—weighs much less thangranite, and is easy to move and transport.It noticeably reduces environmental impact.

Disadvantages: Low-resin syntheticcounter tops are not very resistant to heat.Pots with temperatures of over 160°Ccannot be set down without a hotplate.

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Glass counter tops

Glass is a material produced by meltingnatural substances (silica).The glass used by Valcucine is tempered,which means that it is subjected to anadditional heating process until it becomessoft and is then very quickly cooled. Thisprocess increases its mechanical resistan-ce five-fold and means that, if it shouldbreak, the glass shatters into very smallpieces that are NOT SHARP.

Glass also has the advantage of being an100% indefinitely recyclable material.

The glass used by Valcucine is available intwo finishes: etched (matt finish) and poli-shed.

To ensure greater durability and safety to your kitchen, make sure that the glass used is tempered.

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fiarlo. Si noti che il graffio è un segno bian-co, tanto più evidente quanto più scurosarà il colore del vetro.

How does glass behave when used in thekitchen? Our laboratory has carried out a set oftests to check its resistance and how easyit is to clean. For as much as regards resistance, it hasbeen ascertained that the Valcucine tempe-red glass does not break if hot pots andpans are placed on it straight from the hob.It is also extremely resistant to breakagedue to impact: a 0.5 kg sphere released atthe centre of the top at a height of 2 metresdoes not break it. The edges are more delicate and require abit more of attention.For cleaning purposes it is important todistinguish plain glass from etched glass:plain glass is one of the easiest materialsto clean and is extremely practical whileetched glass may have some problemswith limescale.Limescale can crystallise in the unevensurface and this is why it is necessary todry it to avoid deposits. Stain resistancetests have emphasised the great resistanceof this glass to acids to the extent that itproved to resist to lemon and vinegar.For as much as regards scratches, glass isa very hard material, but harder materialssuch as ceramic can scratch it. Pleasenote that a scratch is evident by a whitemark that shows all the more if the colourof the glass is dark.

To hide typical white scratches we suggest you purchase light coloured glass.

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Solid Wood Counter Tops

There is nothing quite like the beauty of asolid wood counter top but it has itsfunctional limitations. Wood is a naturalproduct that needs to be treated like a livingthing, even after it has been processed. Itexpands and contracts due toenvironmental changes. At Valcucine, weadvise against using a wooden counter topnear the sink and the stove, because thereis a risk of permanent damage.If you don’t want to give up the beauty and

Do not use wooden counter tops near the sink or other damp areas. Do buy wood if you want part of your kitchento be a natural product that radiates warmth.

warmth that a solid wood counter top cangive your entire kitchen, just use itsomewhere far from water spills, intenseheat and the steam from the dishwasher

Piano in legno Valcucine a tre strati incrociati per una maggiore stabilità.

Does wood stain?Yes, especially if it is untreated. AtValcucine we like it anyway. Because it is anatural product, it wears well over time,giving a cozy, homey feeling to your entirekitchen.

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The doors you use in your kitchen cabinetsare the most important factor indetermining your kitchen’s looks. Alongwith the counter top, the doors the mostvulnerable to wear. It is important toevaluate quality carefully before you buy. AtValcucine, we understand your problem.Doors are the hardest part to pick. There issuch a vast assortment of materials on themarket and not enough information on theadvantages and disadvantages of each.

In addition, there are a lot of imitationsaround, which makes it harder for you tochoose the best product.At Valcucine, our years of experience havemade us familiar with the most commonflaws and we work hard to remove them.For example, we have found that sinkcabinet doors and those near thedishwasher can swell with humidity whilethe edges of doors near the oven can comeunglued because of the heat.

How can you tell between these and cabinetdoors without those problems? In thepages that follow, we’ll be looking atdifferent types of doors. We’ll take anobjective look at the pros and cons of everymaterial with some brief descriptions thatwill help you choose.

Choose your cabinet doors according to your own taste, but be sure to examine the advantages anddisadvantages of each material as well. Ask to see the technical data to be sure of what you’re buying. Makesure that the doors have rounded corners.

Doors

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Door Facing

Doors with facing are made of an inner core(generally chipboard), covered with, sheetsof various materials that give the doorstheir specific look.Facing is applied to both the front and theside of the doors.The finish sheets can be made of:1. Paper soaked in melamine resin, either

colored or with imitation veins like wood(melamine paper)

2. Melamine laminate, either colored orwith imitation veins like wood

3. Thermoplastic material (generally PVC),either colored or with imitation veins likewood

4. Sheets of real wood, 0.5 mm thick,known as veneer.

What’s the best facing?Your best choice, in terms of resistance andfunctionality, is HPL quality melaminelaminate.Laminate can be easily cleaned and resistsscratching, abrasion and heat.Of course, nothing can beat the beauty ofwood, and its ability to convey a sense ofwarmth and intimacy to a kitchen.

Laminate facing PVC facing Veneer facing

Avoid unpleasant surprises by studying the technical data to make sure that your cabinet doors are covered withmelamine paper, melamine laminate, thermoplastic material or wood veneer.

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Choose pre-glued cabinet doors if you choose them with facing.

Is All Door Facing The Same?

The edges are the most delicate part ofdoor facing. There are two systems to applyedging.1. In the edged door, the edging is applied

after the finishing, leaving a crack in thecorner where the inner support isexposes. Dampness can seep inside,swelling the panel and causing theedging to become unglued. Too muchheat can also make the edging - appliedwith hot melt glue - detach.

2. In pre-glued doors, the edging is appliedbefore the finishing. The quality of thepre-glued door is higher than an edgeddoor because finishing applied with heatresistant hot melt glues seal all pointsagainst water seepage and make itimpossible for the edging to come off byexposure to heat.

How can I tell an edged door from onethat’s been pre-glued?Look at the edge very carefully. If you cansee a line of glue and the thickness of theedge, it’s not a pre-glued door. But lookvery carefully: many manufacturerscamouflage the glue by dying it the color ofwood or the door.

Edged door Pre-glued door

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Edged Versus Pre-glued Doors

The edging appliedwith this techniqueexposes the insidepanel at thecorners, wherewater can easilyseep in.

Chipboard-baseddoors (with veneerand laminate),edged with hot-meltglue with atemperingtemperature of70°C, exposed tosteam for 30minutes.

Chipboard-baseddoors (with veneerand laminate),edged with hot-meltglue with atemperingtemperature of70°C, exposed toheat (100°C) for 10minutes.

Veneer applied withthermohardeningglues after applyingthe edging sealsthe entire dooragainst waterseepage and keepsit from comingunglued due to theheat.

Door in V100 pre-glued water-repellentchipboard (veneerand laminate),exposed to steamfor 30 minutes.

Door in V100 pre-glued water-repellent chipboard(veneer andlaminate), exposedto heat (100°C) for10 minutes.

Edged doors Pre-glued doors

Hot-melt glue protected bythe side veneer

Solidwood

Side veneer thatkeeps water fromseeping in

Point wheredampnesspenetrates

Thermohardeningglue

Hot-melt glue

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Laminate Multi-layer Doors

Multi-layer doors are made of a single pieceof multi-layered laminate. This materialhas an elevated specific weight and is quitecostly. Valcucine was the first company thatused multi-layered laminate for its cabinetdoors. It has invented and patented aprocess to make them thinner, by applyinga laminate panel to an aluminum frame.That way, we can use a laminate panelthat’s only 5 mm thick for our Artematicamodel and only 2 mm thick for our Riciclamodel.This means that our doors are lighter, thehinges last longer and there is a lowerenvironmental impact (lower consumptionof materials and energy—and Ricicla allowsfor a 90% reduction in the number of treescut down).Valcucine multi-layered laminate doors are100% water and heat resistant. You cansoak them in water for hours, and nothinghappens. There is no glued edging tobecome detached because the panel iscompletely layered in a single process.

Consider multi-layered laminate. It is the most water- and heat-resistant material there is.

The material inside the door panel is the sameas that used on the outside.

Back frame in aluminum.

The multi-layer door is completely water-resistant.

Heat has little effect on the multi-layer doorbecause there is no glued edging to comeundone.

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Wooden Multi-layer Doors

It took us years of research andexperimenting, but Valcucine is the firstcompany to produce a monoblock door inwood laminate,We build our wood laminate monoblockdoors with the same technology that weused for multi-layered laminate doors.And the result is a single product that hasboth the beauty of real wood and the heatand steam resistance of laminate. There isno glued edging to become detachedbecause the panel is completely layered in asingle process.. The resistance of our woodlaminate monoblock doors is unheard-of inother kinds of wood cabinet doors.

Consider wood laminate monoblock doors, if you want wood. It has a much greater resistance to water and heatthan any other wooden doors.

The material inside the door panel is the sameas that used on the outside.

Back frame in aluminum.

The Valcucine wood laminate monoblock dooris completely water-resistant.

Heat has little effect on the multi-layer doorbecause there is no glued edging to comeundone.

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Mechanical Resistance of Thin Doors

Do such thin wood laminate panels haveenough mechanical resistance?In order to assure the mechanicalresistance of its micro-layered woodlaminate doors, Valcucine uses a specialtechnique used for car dashboards. Theirresistance is tested in crash tests and weuse the same standards to develop ourdoor panels. Along with the outer veneer,the panels have special inner sheets of highresistance fabric to give great elasticity andstrength even to the thinnest doors.This advanced, patented technology,Valcucine’s innovative capacity and ourconcern for people and the environmenthave all contributed to our company’sprestige. Which is why we now export ourproducts all over the world.

Dashboard built of a micro-layered wood panel

Door panel: only 2 mm thick! The micro-layered panel built with highresistance micro fabric layers.

Crash test

Penetration resistant sheet

2 mm

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Framed Doors

Framed doors are made of a solid woodframe holding a panel that can be made of avariety of materials.There are numerous doors on the marketthat look as though they have a frame, butin actual fact, they have an imitation framecut from a single medium densityfiberboard panel and then covered with asheet of colored thermoplastic or animitation wood finish.

How can I tell the difference between a realsolid wood frame and a simulated frame?Just open the door and look at the back. Ifit has a real solid wood frame, you can alsosee it in the back. If it’s an imitation, theback of the door is smooth.

If you want kitchen cabinets with real wood frame doors, check the inside to make sure the frame is visible.

Front of door with imitation frame.

Front of door with real wood frame.

Back of door with imitation frame: the frame isnot visible.

Back of door with real wood frame: you can seethe raised frame.

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Quality in Framed Doors

Framed doors are heat-resistant but insome cases, the solid wood can crack.One problem of this kind of door is thatwood is a living material. That means that itcan swell in a humid environment. Longerframes might even start to warp.This is why Valcucine uses plywood for thelonger doors of its Sine Tempore frameddoors. The wood is cut and then gluedtogether in several layers. The new solidwood is much more stable.Look carefully at the inside panel, whichcan be made of either veneered chipboardor plywood.

A. Traditional framed doorIf the veneer-covered panel is not madeof V100 water-repellent chipboard, itoffers little resistance to dampness.The chipboard panel makes the doorheavier and cancels out the typicallightness of a framed door.

B. Valcucine Sine Tempore DoorThe veneered plywood panel makes thedoor incredibly lightweight andincreases resistance to dampness.The result is a 100% wood door.

Chipboard

Woodplywood

Three-layersolid woodframe

A B

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Lacquered Doors

Lacquered doors are produce using amedium density base panel covered withpolyester or polyurethane paints. If youchoose lacquered doors, you’ll have to treatthem carefully since they have a lowresistance to scratching, abrasions andimpact.Lacquers can be opaque or shiny. There areopaque paints on the market today that arelovely, even to the touch, but the moreopaque the paint, the more it holds dirt.Opaque paints also tend to get shiny whenthey rub against something, and thatproduces unsightly marks.

Lacquered doors are heavy and can pull down on hinges and ruin alignment of the doors.

Shiny lacquering is produced in two ways:

1. Direct shine lacquer: the paint is alreadyshiny. The surface is not completely flatand there can be some slightimperfections from dust that settles onthe paint while it is drying.

2. Brushed lacquer: the film of paint issanded with increasingly finer grainsuntil the surface is perfect smooth andmirror-like. Traditional lacquered doorsare very heavy and can pull down onhinges and ruin alignment of the doors.

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Choose light lacquered doors that don’t put too much weight on the hinges.Be careful of opaque lacquer doors: they collect dirt more easily than shiny lacquer.

Artematica lacquered door

MDFlacqueredpanel

Aluminumframe

Free Play lacquered door

LightMDFlacqueredpanel

At Valcucine, we have solved the problemof the weight of lacquered doors with ourArtematica model. We made the panel only6 mm thick and created a technologicallyadvanced support in aluminum. That way,the door is 50% lighter. In our Free Playmodel, we used a special panel in light MDFthat is 20% lighter than traditional panels.

How well do lacquered panels resistwater and heat?If the panels are lacquered properly (withcompletely sealed edges) they haveexcellent water- and heat-resistance. Light-colored panels can yellow slightly whenplaced near high heat. If you put that kindof panel in your kitchen, be sure to installwell-ventilated ovens.

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The hood

Cooking produces odors, fumes and highlytoxic combustible gases such as carbonmonoxide (CO1), nitrogen oxide (NO2) andcarbon dioxide (CO2). That is why youneed a vent hood to pull odors and fumesoutside. A hood that is not connected to theoutside is practically useless at Valcucinewe definitely advise against it. The heart of the vent hood—and whatdetermines the venting capacity—is itsmotor. Your vent hood’s motor has to bepowerful enough to exhaust odors andfumes regardless of the distances or anglesinvolved. At Valcucine, all of our hoodshave a 750 m3 motor (the volume of airvented in an hour) and require a 12 cmdiameter aperture.That is one easy way totell if you’re buying a quality vent hood:check the size of the vent duct. Theaperture of entry-level, low quality hoods isgenerally only 10 cm. Grease filters should be made of metal,dishwasher safe and not made of polyester,which is flammable.We prefer fluorescent lighting toincandescent, for work lights, it lasts longerand consumes less energy.At Valcucine, we have seen that many venthood exhaust problems crop up because

the hood was not correctly installed. Hereare a few suggestions to make sure thatyour hood works properly:

A. The exhaust duct should not curve toomuch (you lose about 20% of yourexhaust power with every curve).

B. The hole in the wall should not be toosmall. If a 12 cm duct is squeezed into a10 cm hole it will block air flow.

C. Make sure that the ducts curve gentlyand don’t bend at sharp angles.

D. The grating on the outside duct musthave a wide mesh or open when thehood is turned on. , Otherwise, exhaustpower can be reduced by as much as90%.

Choose a vent hood with a powerful motor and an exhaust duct of at least 12 cm in diameter. Remember that the hole in the wall must be 12-15 cm wide.

B

C

D

A

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Valcucine Ergonomic 80 cm Deep Hoods

When your counter tops are 80 cm deep,you need special hoods to assure thatfumes and odors coming from pots on theoutside burners do not stay in the kitchen.Our unique outfitted back section has beenimitated by a number of companies. Theirdesigns do not include hoods for properventing of fumes.

At Valcucine, our hoods are studied toguarantee flawless operation and properergonomics, even when your cooktop is 80cm. The hoods are designed to keep anglesaway from your head. This allows you totake a close look at what is cooking,without getting injured.

The Libera hood The Cielo Aspirante hood The Picchio hood

Imitation of the Valcucine back section. Fumesare not drawn into the vent hood.

50

80 8080

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Sinks

Resin sinksThere are dozens of resin sinks available onthe market, many of them of inferior quality.With time, as you alternate pouring boilingwater down the sink and then turning onthe cold water, thermal shock makes themdilate. They become less elastic and crackmore.Resin sinks are easy to clean when they arenew, with time tiny scratches form on thesurface and hold in dirt.Of all the resin sinks we tested at Valcucine,the only ones that satisfied us were those inFragranite. They resist scratching, abrasion,stains, impact and thermal shock.Remember that resin sinks are hard torecycle.

Enameled sinksEnameled sinks can be ruined easily withimpacts, because the enamel is very fragileand chips.

Be sure to get a long warranty if you buy a resin sink. You will be able to have it replaced free of charge if itbreaks.

Stainless steel sinksStainless steel sinks are undoubtedly yourbest choice. They are recyclable,indestructible and hygienic. There are twotypes: multi-layer and welded bowls. Themulti layer sinks are made from a singlesheet of steel. Their bowls are not as deepand the steel is thinner. Welded sinks havedeeper, more square-shaped bowls thathold more. One small problem withstainless steel sinks is that watermarksshow up more easily to calcium depositstoday there are excellent products on themarket that remove calcium.

Embossed stainless steel sinksEmbossed sinks have raised geometricpatterns on the surface. It makes themmore scratch resistant but harder to clean.

What size should I choose?If you have a dishwasher, a double-bowlsink is superfluous. One interestingsolution is a 1-_ bowl sink. It takes up lessroom (only 60 cm). It is still available towash or drain something when the othersink is full.

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Faucets

A. Be sure you check the faucet profile.Faucets have to be high enough over thesink to let large pots and flower vases fitbeneath them.

B. You can buy water purifiers to put underthe sink. Putting in a separate faucet forpurified water saves you money andreduces maintenance.

C. The lever has to be long. This makes iteasier to use, when your hands are full.

A

B C

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Buying Ethical Products

We know that like all consumers you areincreasingly aware of how important it is toprotect our natural resources. We knowhow eager you are to play an active role inprotecting the environment. You want toknow whether the product you are buyingwas built respecting our environment andhealth.Numerous companies label their products“ecological”. But that means eliminatingenvironmental impact, and nothing man-made is completely without environmentalimpact.

Since there are no laws that actually setstandards for what is “ecological”,manufacturers use the word as they like,creating confusion and doubts. You have tostudy a series of factors to understandwhether what you’re about to buy wasreally designed and manufactured with fullrespect for the environment.

How can a manufacturer produce goodswith low environmental impact?Well, at Valcucine, for example, we produceeco-compatible products, replacingrenewable raw materials.We’ll be describing that in more detail in thefollowing pages.

Remember that you too can make a difference in protecting the environment and our health with the products youchoose to buy.

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Replacing Renewable Raw Materials

All factories producing consumer goodsuse natural resources and energy, releasinglarge quantities of carbon dioxide, theprime cause of the greenhouse effect, intothe atmosphere. They all have a greater orlesser environmental impact.There is only one kind of factory that doesnot pollute, but actually removes pollution:trees.

Trees are factories that produce wood andrun on solar energy. They use carbondioxide as a raw material and releaseoxygen—which we need to live—into theatmosphere. At Valcucine, we sponsor a reforestationprogram so that planted trees cantransform the carbon dioxide we emit intooxygen, replacing the wood we use.

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Bioforest: Four Environmental Projects

Valcucine promotes and funds BIOFOREST,the association for regeneration of thenatural environment. We have started uptwo important reforestation and biodiversityprojects in The Amazon and Ecuador, called“Operation Living Forest” and Operation

Otonga”. We also run an environmentaleducation program in Italy known as“Progetto Occhione” and anotherreforestation project in the Pordenone areaof Italy where we manufacture our kitchencabinets.

Operation OtongaOperation Otonga in Ecuador was set up to purchase an area of primary forest to preserveits rich biodiversity of plant and animal life. A scientific base was built to accommodateresearchers interested in cataloguing the thousands of species still unknown. The project isfunding a nursery and reforestation of part of the perimeter to protect the forest.The operation is coordinated by Giovanni Onore, professor of ecology at the PontificalCatholic University of Ecuador.

Occhione ProjectSome middle schools in the Italian provinceof Pordenone have become involved in anenvironmental education project. Theproject includes creation of a naturalsciences laboratory to study local plant andanimal life and seeding of native trees thatwill be planted in a school nursery, to betransplanted later on in some areas madeavailable by BIOFOREST.

Associazione per la rigenerazione degli ambienti naturali

Vinchiaruzzo ProjectStarted up in 2004, the project calls for implementation of a plain forest in the province ofPordenone like the forest that originally covered the entire Po Valley.

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Eco-Compatible Design

Industry today has a major responsibility tocreate new strategies for eco-compatibleproduction. We all know that any man-made object has greater or lesserenvironmental impact, but we also knowthat much can be done to reduce this

impact. At Valcucine, we have doneresearch into technological innovation foryears with the intention of reducingenvironmental impact. Our products are dematerialized(manufactured with a minimum of material

and energy), recyclable (facilitating thereuse of discarded and durable material(reducing waste).

Minimum consumption of rawmaterials and energyThanks to our extensive research intomaterial resistance, we have reduced thestructure of our kitchen cabinets to theminimum. Our products are the highestexpression of design based on thephilosophy of dematerialization. The bestexample is the super-light, multi-layereddoor of our Ricicla model. It is made of analuminum frame designed with ultra-thinwalls and a front panel of 2 mm. It is madewith construction techniques borrowedfrom the automotive industry.We also design our counter tops accordingto the principle of dematerialization. Webuild them with an aluminum structure andlaminate, Crystallite or marble surfaces.Their special structure allows drasticreduction in the amount of material neededto build the surface.

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RecyclabilityIn nature, substances circulate and aretransformed. Ultimately, they arereabsorbed and reused. One importantlesson we need to learn is to reduce thequantity of waste. We also have to do all wecan to reuse and recycle materials, becausethe resources we have available are notunlimited. At Valcucine, we design productsthat can be simply and completely recycled.How? When our products are no longer inuse, all the parts can be easily identifiedand detached. All the plastic componentsare marked, so spotting them at the end oftheir life-cycle is a trouble-free process.We want to encourage recycling, so whenyou’re finished with your kitchen, we willtake back the parts and reuse all of them. Ricicla door. The components can easily be

separated and recycled.

Recycling cycle for a door made up of an aluminum structure and panels in multi-layered laminate.

The aluminum frame, for example, is 100%recyclable. Aluminum is extremely eco-compatible; recovery consumes only 5% ofthe energy used to produce the primarymetal without emission of toxic gas. Today, Valcucine’s Research andDevelopment Center is studying thetransformation of discarded multi-layeredlaminate panels for use as car dashboardsor containers.

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Technical Durability Thanks to the application of innovativetechnologies, at Valcucine our productshave high resistance and durability.The technology we use to manufacture ourmulti-layer doors comes straight from thetechnology used to build car dashboards.Along with the outer veneer, we use specialmicro fabric for the inside layers. Thatmeans that our door panels are elastic andstrong.

Durability (looks)Using technologically advanced solutionscertainly helps prolong a product’s physicaland technical life. But our handcraftsmanship, use of inlay andpersonalized décor gives our kitchens alasting beauty that makes you love yourkitchen more as time passes.

Since they have no edging to becomeunglued or finishing applied later, they willnever come apart, even if you soak them inwater for a long time. That’s because theyare produced in a single process using highpressure.Our Ricicla doors are an example of howdematerialization can still raise quality anddurability.

Your kitchen’s life span will not bedetermined by what’s in fashion. It willreflect deeper, more concrete values.The longer it lasts, the farther in the futurewill be the consumption of more rawmaterials to replace it. And that meanslower environmental impact.

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Wood that’s not from primaryforestThe primary forest is a blessing for allhumanity. A blessing that gave us immenseplant and animal biodiversity after millionsof years. Once it is destroyed, it can neverbe rebuilt.As the lumber industry penetrates theforest, it destroys vast areas that houseplants and animals along with the culture,food and medicinal resources of theirindigenous populations. It is alsoendangered by the fires set to prepare the

terrain for other equally destructiveactivities, such as livestock and agriculture,which prevent the growth of new trees.The primary forest is also vital for the raincycle and for maintaining the microclimate.Deforestation is one of the reasons for ouraccelerating global climatic change and anincrease of the greenhouse effect.These are all the reasons to avoid use ofprimary forest lumber extracted withdestructive practices. Lumber can beobtained from special plantations.At Valcucine, we want nothing to do with

exploitation of the primary forest. We onlyuse species from plantations where abalance between cutting and planting hasbeen achieved.

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Respecting Health: Controlling Toxic Gas

The air we breathe in our kitchen canbecome polluted by the toxic emissionsfrom the stains and glues used to makefurniture.At Valcucine, we do sample testing to makesure that our kitchen cabinet components

do not release volatile substances into theair that can damage your health. We alsocheck to be sure that our products are notcontaminated with artificial radioactivity,respecting German standards of formaldehyde emissions.

Air polluted by synthetic paint is injected intothe gas chromatograph to analyze itscomponents

Substances emitted in 1 m3 of air in 24 hoursby 1 m2 surface of painted panel 30 daysbefore testing with acrylic paints.

Synthetic paintsEven long after we buy it, furniture treatedwith synthetic paints give off volatile toxicsubstances in our homes. Valcucine doesspecial testing to analyze the pollutioncaused by these substances.This table shows the amounts and types ofvolatile organic substances in a 1 m2surface painted with acrylic productsdiluted with synthetic thinners. In ourcontinuous effort to avoid emission of toxicsubstances from synthetic solvents, wehave developed a paint cycle wheresolvents were substituted with water (seepage 94). We have also created a naturaloil- and wax-based surface finish withorange-peel oil extract solvent.

Acetone µg/m3 11

Ethyl methyl ketone µg/m3 13

ethyl acetate µg/m3 4

i-Butyl acetate µg/m3 36

n-Butyl acetate µg/m3 21

Xylene isomers µg/m3 5

Styrene µg/m3 23

methoxypropanol acetate µg/m3 133

ethoxypropanol acetate µg/m3 61

Dimethylformamide µg/m3 33

hexanoic aldehyde µg/m3 9

cyclohexanone µg/m3 3

Butyl Cellosolve µg/m3 7

benzaldehyde µg/m3 2

acetic acid µg/m3 63

Methyl benzoate µg/m3 3

Dimethyl hydroxyacetophenone µg/m3 13

_____________________________________________

Total V.O.S µg/m3 440

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Analysis for control of gamma isotope pollutionat the CRAD Laboratory of NuclearSpectrometry.

Analysis of gases at the CATAS labs.

Artificial radioactivityNuclear disasters like Chernobyl createartificial radioactivity that is absorbed byplants (and therefore wood) and thenreleased into the atmosphere even afterlong periods of time.Since the quantity of toxic presence variesaccording to the lumber’s place of origin,Valcucine does sample testing to make surethat the wood it uses does not come fromareas severely polluted by radioactivity

FormaldehydeChipboard panels contain ureic glue, asubstance that emits formaldehydecontinuously for years. Even though it isnow known to be carcinogenic.Regardless of the fact that Italy and manyother countries set no standards for levelsof formaldehyde emissions, Valcucinebuilds there products to meet stringentGerman standards for emissions.

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Kitchens without Chipboard

Interiors

Drawers

Doors

Counter tops

If you are interesting in applying the criteriaof bio-architecture in your kitchen, we atValcucine will manufacture completelychipboard free cabinets.

1. Water-resistant multi-layer2. HPL laminate

1. Laminate wood2. Aluminum

1. Laminate wood2. Steel3. Aluminum4. Plywood

1. 5mm HPL laminate 2. Plywood2. Aluminum

1

1

1

2

1 3

4

2

2

2

1

23

NEW 5mm laminate top

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Synthetic solvent paint Valcucine’s water-based paint

Water-based Paint

One of the most serious pollution problemsin cabinet making is the evaporation of thesynthetic paint solvents. A medium-sized furniture maker releasestons of solvents into the air every day,polluting the area around it. Micro-evaporation of these solventscontinues afterwards for even longerperiods, polluting the area where the pieceof furniture is located (see table, page 91).Today, our customers, workers and thetowns near our factories can all benefitfrom Valcucine research. After two years ofstudy and testing, to limit drastically toxicemissions, we have substituted syntheticsolvents with the world’s most naturalsolvent water.Our innovative capacity continues to pavethe way for improvement in the industry.We have been pleased to see some of ourcompetitors adopt similar practices. Asthe saying goes, “imitation is the sincerestform of flattery. At Valcucine we are eagerto see all industry work for an improvementin our environment and health.

Be sure that water-based protective paint is used on your wooden cabinets.

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1. Check to make sure that your cabinets have reliable seals of approval.

2. Take a good look at the length of your warranty, read the fine print carefully and get a written warranty for spare parts.

3. Be sure that you know what materials are used to build your kitchen. It is your right by law. Ask to see the productcard and have a copy attached to your contract so that you can be sure that you are getting the product you paid for.You will have written proof should there be any disputes.

4. Before you buy cabinets built of melamine board, ask your dealer to show you written proof that they are made ofV100 water-repellent chipboard. Be sure also that the board is Class E1, respecting the strict German laws onformaldehyde emission.

Important Things to Remember Before You Buy

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5. Be careful of what the material is called. The terms “wood particle panel and “agglomerate wood panel” are reallyfancier names for just plain chipboard.

6. Ask to “try out” the ergonomics of your kitchen cabinets. Make sure that they fit you.

7. Ensure that you start out with accurate, well-thought out plans drawn by a good designer. Have the dealer checksite dimensions so that you are not blamed for any mistakes.

8. Along with technical quality, think carefully about how you want your kitchen to look and try to avoid the latest fad.

9. You should examine the product you are buying carefully to make sure that it was well made. The best way to dothat it to study the details.

10. Try to choose kitchen cabinets with real Class 3 plywood interiors. Their quality and durability are unmatched bynormal chipboard interiors. Beware of imitations.

11. Choose counter tops according to your needs and taste, Do not forget to look at the advantages and disadvantagesof the material used. You can read about them right in this booklet.

12. Choose your kitchen cabinet doors according to your taste, don’t forget to look at the advantages and disadvantagesof the material used. That information is also in this booklet.

13. When you buy your kitchen appliances, take a look at the energy consumption cards. If you want to be an eco-friendly consumer, choose low energy Class A appliances.

14. Use a magnet to check on the quality of the steel used for the cabinet parts (sides, draining racks, counter tops).High quality steel contains little iron and only attracts the magnet slightly.

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Kitchen Safety for Kids

The oven door should stay cool, when theoven is on.

Keep detergents and dangerous liquids in alocked box.

Put grating around the cooktop to keepchildren from reaching the pots and pans.

Make sure that pantry cabinets are solidlyanchored to keep them from tipping over.

Buy a cooktop with a safety valveincorporated.

Suspended bases must have a testedsystem to keep them solidly anchored tothe wall.

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Have a magnetic device installed in drawersto keep them closed.

Install a master off/on electric switch forthe oven that children can not reach.

Check to be sure that handles were testedto withstand heavy loads and that theirheight and weight can be regulated.

If drawers and doors have simple slotsinstead of handles, be sure that they are nottoo small.

Ask to have tempered glass installed onshelves and doors. It is safer and moreimpact-resistant.

Make sure that all cabinet parts haverounded corners.

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Questions to Ask When You Buy

Does the kitchen come with an instructionand maintenance manual?

Does the manufacturer try to reduceenvironmental impact?

Are the assembly instructions clear?

Are there systems to reduce toxicemissions as much as possible?

Does the kitchen come with at least oneproduct seal of approval?

Can the parts be recycled?

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Do the hinges have easy three-wayadjustments? Are they coupledautomatically? Were they tested inaccordance with German standards?

Do the lift up doors have hydraulic openingsystems?

Is the bottom of your sink cabinet coveredwith aluminum? Is it completely sealedagainst leaks? Were the legs screwed to thebottom without putting a hole in thealuminum?

Is the back of the refrigerator cabinet water-repellent with an indentation to protect theinterior from any leaks?

Are the sides of the cabinet holding thedish rack lined in aluminum? Were theysealed against leaks? Are the racks in18/8 stainless steel?

Are there bumpers on the doors?

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Do drawers come equipped withaccessories and dividers to keep contentsin place and items neater.

Are the counter tops at least 65 cm deep?

Do the drawer slides have a capacity of 40kg for 60 cm drawers and 70 kg for 90 cmand 120 cm drawers? Do they closeautomatically? Are they light andsoundless? Do they have an end stop?

Are the gaskets made of silicone rubber, adurable material?

Do the 90 and 120 cm drawers have adevice to make sure they pull out straight?

Are the doors padded so that they closesoftly and do not bang?

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Are the long shelves in wall cabinetsreinforced to prevent buckling?

Are cabinets’ interiors and drawers largeenough to hold things?

Are interior walls at least 18 mm thick?

Do the deep drawers have solid side panelsto keep things from falling out?

Are glass shelves at least 8-10 mm thick? Is tempered glass used?

Do drawers have rubber pads on thebottom to make cleaning easier and to keepthe bottom from being scratched?

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Are the bulbs marked with a double M orthe equivalent F? They can only be usedwith inflammable products if they carrythose marks.

Does the counter top have a sideguard tokeep water from dripping down the side ofthe cabinet?

Are the toekicks in undeformablealuminum? Do they have air vents to coolthe refrigerator? Is there a handle so thatyou can remove them easily to clean underthe furniture?

Were your chairs tested by experts to besure that they will hold up over time, inkeeping with government standards?

Is the sealer water- and heat-resistant? Is itthe right shape and soft enough tothoroughly seal the wall and counter top?

Do the lights inside the cabinets comeequipped with sensors so that they turn offand on automatically to save energy?

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Glossary

Acrylic stainThe stain with the highest resistance to light. It gives the greatestguarantee against yellowing. It is used in particular on light-colored woods where yellowing stainwould result in unpleasant color changes. It gives wood a very naturalappearance since it is applied in thin coats without creating a film onthe wood.

AluminumA silvery-colored metal, soft and very light. It is the third mostabundant material found in nature. It can be die-cast or drawn and isthen painted or protected with anodic oxidation which makes thesurface scratch- and corrosion-resistant. Aluminum not treated in thisway oxidizes and thus darkens easily.

Carbon dioxideGas that forms during combustion when the carbon in fuel bonds withtwo oxygen atoms in the air. Carbon dioxide is the prime culprit of the

greenhouse effect.Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide is generally the result of incomplete hydrocarboncombustion. This occurs in the home when food is cooked on gasburners. Colorless and odorless, it is a toxic pollutant that bonds withhemoglobin in the blood, preventing it from carrying oxygen throughthe body. It can cause death by suffocation.

CFC Chlorofluorocarbon, known commercially as Freon, was used widelyin the past in the refrigeration industry and as a propellant in spraycans. Widespread use however has led to its accumulation in thestratosphere causing a series of destructive chemical reactions. SinceFreon is partly responsible for the hole in the ozone layer, other, moreecological gases are now being used.

ChipboardChipboard is made with the scrap from wood processing and residue

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from trees. It is favorable ecologically because no additional trees arecut down to make it. Chipboard is made from chips and particles ofwood that are pressed and bonded with thermo-hardening glue.Generally, it is then covered with veneer, melamine resin paper, PVC orlaminate to give it its aesthetic qualities.Mechanically it has great dimensional stability. This makes it extremelyuseful for large surfaces where solid wood could buckle. It is not veryresistant to dampness; the problem has been partially but notcompletely resolved with the creation of V100 water-repellent board.The glues used for chipboard release formaldehyde, this has beenreduced to a minimum in board produced in accordance with strictGerman standards (Category E1).

Class 3 exterior plywood Five or more layers of wood are arranged with the grain at right anglesand attached with glues that resist water and humidity. Valcucinemakes its Class 3 exterior plywood with a full 11 layers of birch wood.

ErgonomicsErgonomics studies the interaction between people, their work placeand equipment to facilitate safer use of objects.

Finishing Covering a raw wood panel with various materials, e.g. laminate, PVC,veneer, etc.

FormaldehydeA pungent-smelling chemical used to make most thermohardeningglues for the furniture industry. Suspected of being cancerous, in highconcentrations, it can cause tearing and irritation of the respiratorytract. In 1977, the B.G.A. (The Berlin Health Board) decreed that it isdangerous in concentrations of 0.1 p.p.m. (parts per million) or 12mg/m3. Many other countries have adopted this standard.

Greenhouse effectDuring the day, the earth’s surface accumulates the heat of the sun. Atnight, the heat escapes into space. Excessive concentration of carbondioxide in the air traps the heat from the sun’s warmth during the dayand keeps it from being expelled. The resulting effect is similar to thatof a greenhouse.

Hot-melt glueAdhesives that are applied while hot which adhere and harden duringcooling. They are reversible because they soften when heated totemperatures between 60°C and 100°C, temporarily losing theiradhesive power. Used almost exclusively to attach edging.

HPL laminateOnly laminate boards meeting the standards of excellence of EN438/1 regulations are fit to be called HPL (High Pressure Laminates).This high quality material is extremely hard and resists scratching,wear, impact, chemical agents and fire.

LaminateAlso known commercially as “Formica”, it has a base of phenol resinand decorated melamine paper glued together to form sheetsapproximately 0.6 mm think. It is used to cover lumber core. If bothsides are covered, it is called double-sided laminate.

Lumber-core Board of three layers of wood veneer arranged with the grain at rightangels to each other and attached with thermohardening glue. Whenmore than three layers are used (but always an odd number), it iscalled multilayer board.

Medium density fiberboard Board made with wood processing scrap. Ecologically valid becauseproduction does not required that more trees be cut down. Woodfiber—produced using steam and defibrators—is bound withthermohardening glues. Once pressed, the fiber (which resemblescotton wool) has excellent mechanical properties and dimensionalstability. It is compact along its edges making it excellent for makinglacquered panels and PVC faced board and for large surfaces wheresolid wood might buckle. Fiberboard is very heavy and does not resisthumidity. There is also V100 MDF board which is designed to have ahigher resistance to humidity.

Melamine boardChipboard faced with sheets of melamine resin-soaked paper.

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Melamine paper Paper that is soaked in melamine resin. It can be various colors orimitate wood. Used to finish chipboard, which is then called melamineboard

Multilayer laminateLaminate with a resin base generally thicker than 1 mm. Themechanical properties make them suitable for use alone or applied towooden boards. Laminate is highly resistant and is therefore excellentfor use in kitchen cabinets.

Natural Oil-based StainsMost Natural Oil-Based Stains are made from natural extracts such asbee’s wax or linseed, rape, soybean or coconut oil. They arecompletely free of phosphates, sulfates, preservatives, sealers andformaldehyde. Solvents are produced from citrus fruit skins. Usingnatural oil-based stains is benefits both workers and the environment.

PlywoodMaterial made from veneer and an inner core of solid wood strips.

Polyurethane paintThe most commonly used stain in the wood sector based upon its lowcost and easy application. It is not very resistant to light and tends toproduce an unsightly yellow film with time. For that reason, it is notsuitable for light-colored wood.

PVCPolyvinyl chloride is one of the most commonly used materials in thefurniture industry and is used to cover structural components anddoors. It is considered a toxic material, but the only danger is duringproduction and destruction (if it is not burned in special incinerators, itproduces dioxins). It can be colored and can imitate wood grain. Athermoplastic material, it is not heat-resistant and softens attemperatures between 75° and 95° C.

Silicone rubberA plastic mass of silicon and oxygen. Vulcanization makes it pliableand produces silicone rubber. It is:

- resilient over time- resistant to temperatures between -100°C and +300°C- bacterioloigcally inert (resistant to fungus and microorganisms)- stable in the sun’s rays- easy to clean

Silk-screeningA method of printing (on metal, glass, plastic, etc.) where the ink ispassed through the mesh of silk with stencils. On glass, the silkscreencan also be tempered by using high temperatures that melt the coloronto the glass, making it indelible.

Solid woodTerm used to indicate furniture or furniture parts built only using woodcut directly from tree trunks. Solid wood comes from various species:for example walnut, beech, cherry, etc.

Stainless steelSteel that resists corrosion and some chemical agents. It must containat least 12% chrome to be called stainless. Since it is very hygienic, itis used to manufacture food containers, pots and pans, sinks andcounter tops. 18/10 stainless steel (18% chrome, 10% nickel) isnormally used for this purpose.

Tempered glassGlass that is particularly hard and impact resistant (5 times more thannormal glass) thanks to toughing. The glass is heated to very hightemperatures (650°C) and then cooled quickly with cold air. Temperedglass breaks into tiny pieces rather than large sharp shards.

Tempering temperatureThe temperature at which hot-melt glues begin to soften and liquefy,causing edging to come off.

Thermohardening gluesResins that join during heat-activated chemical reactions. The majorthermohardening glues used in the furniture industry are obtainedwith a mixture of formaldehyde and other basic resins. Since they areformed through chemical reactions, they are irreversible glues thatresist high temperatures.

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Tree speciesThe different types of wood found in nature. Wood from differentspecies differs in appearance and physical and mechanical properties.There are basically two categories: coniferous and broad-leafed trees.The first group includes pine, spruce, cedar and larch. The secondgroup includes walnut, beech, cherry, oak and ash.

VeneerVeneer or sliced veneer is a thin sheet of wood (about 0.6 mm) madeby rotary cutting or sawing a log. Used to face wooden board, this isknown as “veneered board”.

Veneered boardBoard finished with veneer.

Water-based paintPart of the new system of ecological paint with water solvents. Thissolves serious problems of environmental impact (up to 70% of mostproducts use polluting solvents that evaporate when drying). Water-based paints are still in the experimental phase.

Water-repellentThe furniture industry calls any chipboard, medium-density andmultilayered board that resists swelling caused by water seeping intothe fibers of the wood water-repellent.

Where we work

technology

The Artematica model is Valcucine’s pri-mary line. We have been making it for 15years with a style and philosophy that arestill leading the industry.Artematica’s pure volumes and clean for-mal lines are in keeping with the latesttrends its personalized touches make yourkitchen cabinets stand out.

artematicaDesigned by G. Centazzo

Innovative

Inviting

Environmental friendly

Ergonomic

Comfortable

Pure

Natural

Captivating

Ergonomics

Practical

traditional steel surface

New Valcucine aluminum surface with stainless steel finish

Detailed

Suspended

Country

Functional

eco-compatibility

Ricicla makes the definitive statementregarding dematerialization—manufactu-ring with a minimum of material andenergy. Ricicla doors utilize a highly resi-stant 2mm laminate, they are available inan array of finishes. The Ricicla door is theresult of years of study and research and isthe most advanced technology. Ricicla wasdesigned and built to minimize environ-mental impact. Ricicla respects the fourprinciples of eco-compatibility: the leastpossible consumption of raw materials andenergy, durability, recyclability and absenceof toxicity.

riciclaDesigned by G. Centazzo

Elegant

Recyclable

Innovative materials

Luminous

Linear

Accessorized

Professional

freedom

Free play: freedom from the constraints oftraditional kitchens. Free play introducesnew shapes and new accessories, all personalized to fit you. The catalogue contains a series of pictures with differentlooks to reflect your taste. The commondenominator is freedom. Free play is thekitchen where chores are as much a pleasure as sitting around the table, it givesdaily routines a dash of color and a hint ofhumor.

free playDesigned by G. Centazzo

Modular

Young

Warm

Soft

tradizione

tradition

Sine Tempore, combines the essence ofkitchens of the past with our tradition. Sine Tempore revives the feeling that the warmth of wood produces withoutcomplicated, elaborate forms. It is woodwith the lines and the feeling of moderndesign. Hand craftsmanship and inlay create a convivial environment, enrichingthe cabinets and making the kitchen a prized possession.

sine temporeDesigned by G. Centazzo

Hand-crafted

Non-toxic

Classic

Precious

The Valcucine products have passed all the tests and checks mentioned in this guide. The technical qualities described refer to the Valcuci-ne price list on the date in which the guide was drawn up (May 2005) Valcucine is entitled to make modifications at any time to improve its products.It is strictly prohibited to reproduce texts, photos or drawings contained in this guide, either entirely or partially, unless agreed upon withValcucine S.p.A..All rights reserved.The brands mentions in this guide belong to the respective organisations.