Green Building beings with an examination of Green Building Materials and what truly makes a product "green". How can you assess the "greenness" of different products? How do you find green products? This is a challenge that is hard to define and quantify. Working with a trusted and experienced partner like Shawmut Design and Construction can remove the uncertainty and make the process more efficient and manageable.
One of the first challenges in assessing potential materials is in nailing down their true efficiency ratings and potential environmental impacts. With no true "go to" database for this type of material, it is hard to fully quantify the impact of different products and options in an apples to apples way. Very often it comes down to trying to weigh, for example, the resource-extraction impacts of one product with the manufacturing impacts of another, and the indoor-air-quality impacts of a third.
Another consideration is the cost, delivery methods, and availability of a given product. This is an important point, and the distinction is subtle but important. In building a house or office building, a great many materials and products will be used. Even in the greenest of projects it is likely that many products will be used that are not themselves green—but they are used in a manner that helps reduce the overall environmental impacts of the building. The opposite is also true, as an efficient product that is trucked in from across the country and costs so much that corners will need to be cut elsewhere, is not a sound green building decision. Creating a green building means matching the products and materials to the specific design and site to minimize the overall environmental impact.
Some Materials and Processes That Help Make a Green Building Green Include:
* Products Made with Salvaged, Recycled, or Agricultural Waste Content
* Products That Conserve Natural Resources Products That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions
* Products That Save Energy or Water
* Products That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment
Sustainable construction methods and materials are not only environmentally friendly, but ensure better interior air quality, optimize energy systems, and prolong the life and efficiency of buildings. From a financially standpoint that means reduced energy, water, and waste as well as lower operating and maintenance costs. More importantly, environmentally conscious spaces allow for enhanced employee productivity and health.
To learn more about how we can help create a high performance building for you, or to learn more about incorporating green building practices into your project, please contact Tom Perry, Director of Engineering Services at 617.622.7375
