Product Guide
CEUs are available for reading all the building-envelope product guides and primer. Click here to learn more and take the quiz.
Standard spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is made using blowing agents with extremely high global warming potential (GWP), which can cancel out much of the potential energy savings from use over its life... Read more
Author
For more than 30 years, Alex Wilson has been the most trusted voice on energy efficiency and environmentally responsible design and construction. Since launching Environmental Building News (EBN) in 1992, he’s built a reputation, resources, and staff to provide the foundation for BuildingGreen, a consulting and information company... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
Here's a good follow up to Maria's steel question on Monday. We have a Midwest project that unfortunately (from a carbon perspective) is required to use a traditional, thick precast facade. We’re working with the contractor and potential future (not yet bid out) fabricators to determine an appropriate % of pozzolanic material... Read more
Forum topic
Hello all,
Thank you so much for your work on the Contractor Commitment. In preparation for the Summit, we've pulled all of the sections together into one cohesive document. We would like to invite everyone in the SCL network to review and comment on this latest draft so that we can compile comments before Wednesday and make the most of... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Green Friends - I hesitated to post on April Fools, but wanted to get the link out for folks to share with their netowrks I'll be teaching a workshop at the Pacific Energy Center on May 11 on Electrification Retrofits of Exisitng Non-Residential Buildings. I'll be bulidng on the great work our sub-committee led by Allison has been... Read more
Forum topic
Hi GGs,
We are looking to do a renovation of a very leaky old office space, and we want to get a good snapshot of air quality and effective envelope R values both before and after.
Does anyone have experience with:
1. installing heat flux sensors on windows and walls
2. deploying IAQ measurement devices that can log... Read more
Forum topic
Embodied carbon in products and existing buildings. What does LCA tell us about renovation vs. new construction and material choices?
Guiding Questions:
What easy ways are there to communicate about embodied carbon? Are there easy ways to calculate it? What do I need to know about LCA? Are there any found patterns of when it... Read moreForum topic
This are opportunities for us to get involved as design and construction allies with the new administration and the US Department of Energy on more efficient building.
The first link below is for low-carbon projects that will provide the case studies and solutions that the industry can follow. The second is identifying barriers and... Read more
Forum topic
Has anyone here had success in comparing life cycle impacts for different window system options? We have been trying to compare different options but have only been able to source one expired EPD for an actual window (frame + glazing). Is the typical approach to separately compare glass and framing options? Are we missing something or is there... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Exterior Paints: Long-Term Protection and Environmental Tradeoffs.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. List the primary differences between alkyd and latex paints and stains and between wood, concrete, and metal primers.
2. Explain... Read more
Forum topic
Seems to be a trend! We're looking to fill a Sustainability Specialist position at Perkins Eastman:
http://perkinseastman.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=89745...
Please let me know if you have any potential candidates who might be a good fit!
Forum topic
Apologies if some of you are seeing this for the second time - on behalf of Frances Yang, Mike Gryniuk and the Carbon Leadership Forum, consider signing on in support of the SE 2050 Challenge for structural engineers. (Yes, there is an option to sign on as a non-structural engineer, in support of the program.)
http://... Read more
Product Guide
CEUs are available for reading all the building-envelope product guides and primer. Click here to learn more and take the quiz.
Conventional excavation practices can harm ecosystems, while improper foundation and slab drainage can allow water to build up and compromise the structure and integrity of the building.
BuildingGreen-... Read more
Forum topic
We considering PV glazing for a project in SW Louisiana. Anyone have any successful PV glazing projects? Is this ready for primetime?
Forum topic
I've been hearing a lot of talk about density becoming a thing of the past. Like with the danger of antimicrobials, it would be great to have some more in depth backup information on whether density is really a danger factor, or if other factors are more important, when we go into these conversations. Does anybody have any new or better... Read more
Forum topic
Hey team,
We're working with some institutions in the midwest that are trying to understand what kind of partnerships they could build with architectural salvage enterprises as they demolish many buildings to elevate land uses. I'm not overly familiar with the midwest market. Does anyone have any good circular economy / architectural... Read more