Product Guide
Metal windows are used in commercial building because of their durability, low maintenance, and ability to handle wind loads.
BuildingGreen-Approved Windows
Metal windows must achieve an NFRC-certified unit U-factor of 0.20 or lower to be approved by BuildingGreen.
Manufacturers also must demonstrate that their highest-... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
In this live webinar on the sustainability of wood construction, we tap the expertise of leaders in the field and look into three main issues:
The importance of certification The complex issue of embodied carbon Wood legality:... Read moreForum topic
Hi all,
My office is looking at some certification options for our upcoming renovation. One thing the management team asked me that I don't have a solid answer for is, do WELL certified spaces typically go through with recertification and everything it entails, or are they doing the upfront work to get certified and then letting it lapse... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Shane and Dennis,
What return address should we use for BIT User forum notification emails? Ben suggests something like no-reply@bit-user.org but whatever you like is fine.
Once you decide, please let us know who controls the domain name (e.g. bit-user.org or bitbuilding.org). Ben will send them instructions for editing the... Read more
Forum topic
For those of you working in jurisdictions with both prescriptive and performance-based commercial energy code pathways, roughly what percentage of your projects are using the performance pathway? How do your project teams decide which pathway to follow?
In Minnesota we are seeing very few projects pursuing the performance pathway,... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Sustainable Advising Leaders!
We have another call coming up next Tuesday, March 17th at 1pm Eastern Time. Here is an agenda, Zoom call information is below.
We'll dive into getting to know each other better and also talk about the best path forward for this group.
Hope you can join us!
Jen
Join Zoom... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
The AIA is collecting names of sustainability-savvy healthcare architects (and potentially allied professionals) for future national Healthcare Design Awards juries. This has been challenging, because jurors' firms can't submit for awards the year they are on the jury, and many people who otherwise would be excellent jurors work... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Brilliant People:
I'm hoping you can help me with a quick research question. A local colleague is trying to make the case to replace an existing old slate roof with slate vs. "slate look" asphalt shingles on a local public historic building. The bids are 6X higher for slate over the alternative 25-30 year solutions. They understand... Read more
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Hi All
I'm wondering if any of you know how to track the GWP for materials that do not have an EPD? I'm trying to do a carbon comparison on batteries but neither one has an EPD that I can find. Thanks for any guidance you may have.
Forum topic
Hi everyone,
Since I know we have a lot of talented people in this group, I'd like to reach out to those of you based in Los Angeles and see if anyone is interested in talking at an upcoming Living Building Challenge collaborative event. The topic of the meeting is "Selecting Healthy Materials 101: From the perspectives of... Read more
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With the current push for improved window performance to meet energy codes and Passive House, room side low-e coatings can significantly improve window U-values. However, back in 2018 Payette did this excellent study that showed that while room side low-e coatings improved window U-value and increased the interior radiant temperature, the... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of What Makes a Product Green?.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. List and describe at least three attributes that address each of the following categories: "efficient use of materials"; "responsible sourcing"; "energy and water... Read more
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Hi folks - update here for our FUN saturday night "show"!! What a great way to start the year and celebrate new beginnings!
The Lighter Side of Green will air THIS coming Sat night at 7pm with Anne Hicks Harney MC'ing - check out the link to see the roster of amazing talent and log on for great tunes, humor, camraderie and community! ... Read more
Forum topic
Hey All!
One of the initiatives from our first meeting in Chicago was to gather and develop resources related to plug and process loads in buildings which will help us all with: energy modeling, equipment sizing and power distribution. We had our first call this morning and are rolling. Aspirations are that this could turn into a... Read more
Forum topic
Hi everyone,
I'm interested in identifying any in-person opportunities (local to Greater Boston) to engage my office during Earth Week. We are all excited to be able to do things in person now, so if anyone has anything on their radar please let me know (a panel, educational activity, or volunteer opportunity!)
Thanks,... Read more