OVERVIEW
We rarely think about our building products beyond their immediate impact on a building or its indoor air quality. But we should.
How much energy does it take to make a product? What are the raw materials? How much does the product contribute to global warming?
These questions are not addressed by most green product programs, but the resources found here look at products and materials throughout their life cycles, including through:
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life-cycle assessments
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environmental product declarations
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carbon accounting
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embodied energy
With additional knowledge, you will have a more nuanced view of why products are environmentally sustainable and how they can be improved in the future.
IN-DEPTH
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EPDs Are the Future of the Building Industry, Whether You Like It or Not
Feature Article
Environmental product declarations are taking off, but can they actually fly? Experts share the ups and downs of this promising but imperfect transparency tool.
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Raze or Retrofit? Six Extraordinary Answers to an Everyday Question
Feature Article
Saving a building is usually an environmental win, but thoughtful renovation isn’t easy. And there comes a time to tear things down.
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Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade
Feature Article
Cladding materials should be chosen to minimize environmental impacts and help maximize a building’s energy performance.
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Can Concrete Save Us? Locking Up Carbon in Building Materials
Feature Article
Concrete is responsible for a huge proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions. A few companies want to reverse this cycle by sequestering carbon in building materials.
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Engineering a Wood Revolution
Feature Article
Engineered wood products are challenging concrete and steel in structural applications while proffering a lower environmental footprint.
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Whole-Building Life-Cycle Assessment: Taking the Measure of a Green Building
Feature Article
Why we will never understand the true impact of our buildings-and how we should try to anyway
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From Norway, A New Standard for Energy-Positive Design
News Brief
Powerhouse is a new standard for energy-positive buildings that generate more energy than used for construction, operation, and demolition.
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Material Transparency for LEED v4: EPDs and HPDs for Metal Studs
Blog Post
Reducing your building’s carbon footprint or health impacts? Going after new LEED credits? Transparency documents for steel studs can help.
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Reducing Environmental Impacts of Cement and Concrete
Feature Article
This article explores the environmental footprint of portland cement production and future emissions regulations and looks at the issues surrounding its most common replacement, fly ash.
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Fiberglass, XPS, Cork? Insulation Options for LEED v4 and Living Buildings
Product Review
Choosing insulation with an eye to points in LEED v4 or Living Building Challenge compliance? Here’s how insulation materials compare.
