What Makes a Product Green?
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Building green for a sustainable futureGreen building methods help building professionals and consumers identify sustainable strategies for new buildings and renovations. The best methods: • offer a consistent, scientific basis for comparison • evaluate relevant technical aspects of sustainable design • can be implemented and communicated effectively • reward performance Some rating systems including LEED and Green Globes in North America and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) in the UK are incorporating performance criteria such as Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate product or design options. |
What does "green" really mean?
This question is addressed by the Competition Bureau of Canada and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) in its recently released guidelines: Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers. The guidelines state that vague claims should be avoided and specific, clear claims that can be verified and substantiated are ideal.Adaptable and flexible design
A green design reduces resource consumption both by ensuring that a structure lasts and that it can be easily adapted if necessary. The 19th century barn at Fallingwater in Pennsylvania is a great example. Most buildings are demolished prematurely because needs have changed. But wood is versatile and flexible, so a wood structure is easier to adapt, extending the life of the structure.
Read more about this building: eere.buildinggreen.com
Building science
Water, heat, ultraviolet radiation and insects are responsible for 90% of durability issues. Of these, water is the most significant. Using sound building science principles is one aspect of building durable buildings.Read more at: durable-wood.com
What does it mean to design green?
Designing green means:• Planning ahead to ensure the building suits its site with the least impact
• Using science-based methods like LCA to choose materials with lower environmental impact
• Taking measures to reduce waste during construction
• Designing for lower long-term operational and maintenance costs
• Using building science, not just green points, to ensure durability and measurable energy efficiency
• Designing for adaptability, both in the building's layout and material selection
• Using science-based methods like LCA to choose materials with lower environmental impact
• Taking measures to reduce waste during construction
• Designing for lower long-term operational and maintenance costs
• Using building science, not just green points, to ensure durability and measurable energy efficiency
• Designing for adaptability, both in the building's layout and material selection
The result of designing green should be a healthy, high performance environment made with the lowest feasible impact to the planet. Wood structures require less energy to build and to operate, which reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. Wood can be recycled, reused and renewed, again and again.
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Did You Know?
Twenty years of international research indicates that wood products have a favourable environmental profile compared to other materials.
Werner, F. and Richter, K. 2007. Wooden Building Products in Comparative LCA: A Literature Review. Int J LCA 12(7) 470-479
Related Information
Guide to the Use of Wood in LEED Projects, 2003
McFarland Architects
Green Building Programs - Are they Really Green?
Forest Products Journal Vol57 No9 Sept 2007
Jim Bowyer, Forest Products Society, forestprod.org
The Green Movement and the Forest Products Industry
Forest Products Journal Vol58 No7/8 July/Aug 2008,
Jim Bowyer, Forest Products Society, forestprod.org
Straight Green: Green Building Rating Systems and Building Durability
Chris Dixon, June 24, 2008
Building Green (10 min video)
Forestry Innovation Investment
Building with Wood (6 min video)
Forestry Innovation Investment
Building Green with BC Wood Products (8 min video)
Forestry Innovation Investment
