Selling and Building Green - Using BuildSite to Help Select the Right Green Product for the Job

Increasingly, commercial, residential, and infrastructure construction projects are "going green." Buyers of construction materials - distributors and contractors - are looking to BuildSite to help them source the products required to meet green building standards for their clients. Before we show you how BuildSite helps you with selling and building green, it is helpful to have a little background.

Background - EPA, USGBC and LEED Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") defines Green Buildings as structures that "incorporate the principles of sustainable design." The United States Green Building Council ("USGBC") has taken the idea further. The USGBC encourages design and construction practices that address sustainable site planning, safeguarding water and water efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy, conservation of materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

In an attempt to promote Green Building and standardize its definition, the USGBC established the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. Builders in the United States can register their buildings, which are then evaluated and, if deserving, awarded a Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating in accordance with LEED. City governments with green design programs often refer to LEED ratings, as do groups that promote green building products.

LEED and Product Selection

LEED standards affect many buildings, even if the owners do not plan to go for a LEED rating. When reviewing project specifications, most BuildSite users will find LEED-driven requirements in five key areas:

So, how do you know a product on BuildSite is "Low VOC," contains recycled materials, or meets a LEED-based requirement? Leading manufacturers, including Henkle, Grace, Euclid, Sinak, and others, are using BuildSite's Channel Communications program to communicate this information to you. Messages and icons do the job.

Green building icons include:

 

Henkle Corporation's OSI line contains Low VOC, Made in America and GreenGuard certified products.

 

Euclid Corporation highlights recycled content and Low VOC products in their line.

So, if you need perlite board insulation complying with ASTM C728 with Class 25 fire resistance and 25% recycled content, or a complete VOC compliant waterproofing system package, or an acoustical sealant with a VOC content of 250g/L or less ... we hope you "Look It Up on BuildSite."

We will have more information on selling and building green in future newsletters.

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