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Green Designing & Building

DESIGN THE HOME TO INCREASE GREEN BUILDING RATING POINTS

MATERIAL SELECTION
These points reward builders for selecting vendors with sustainable manufacturing practices, as well as resource-efficient and innovative product designs.

BIO-BASED MATERIALS
Products derived from plants and animals, such as bamboo and wood. Bio-based materials are important for green construction because they may have lower overall environmental impacts than synthetic materials and potentially come from renewable resources.

RECYCLED CONTENT
The amount of recycled materials contained in a product. This includes “pre-consumer” materials diverted from disposal and reused during manufacturing. “Post-consumer” recycled materials are those returned for reprocessing after use (such as aluminum cans). Both types of recycling enhance efficient use of natural resources and reduce waste.

REGIONAL MATERIALS
Building products obtained from sources near a home construction site. Under the NAHB, Green Globes TM, and LEED® rating systems, products from sources less than 500 miles away are considered regional.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES
A natural resource that can be replenished, such as plants and animals, and energy sources like wind or solar. An important related concept is sustainable supply: ensuring that consumption doesn’t exceed replacement. For example, trees from sustainably managed forests are a renewable resource because landowners replant to ensure supplies don’t dwindle.

RESOURCE EFFICIENT MATERIALS
Products that conserve natural resources and reduce pollution, waste and maintenance,. It’s using only what you need, as well as incorporating products that make good use of raw materials. The NAHB, Green Globes TM, and LEED® rating systems all include options where builders can earn green building points in this category.

RECLAIMED WOOD
Similar to recycling bottles, this involves reusing existing wood. Reclaimed wood can be obtained from buildings slated for demolition, abandoned structures such as railroad trestles, or sinker logs salvaged from river bottoms. It is most often used for decorative, rather than structural applications.

RECYCLED WOOD CONSTRUCTION WASTE
While historically not recycled in substantial quantities, options are growing for reusing wood products. When a home is demolished framing materials can potentially be salvaged and used again, depending on their structural characteristics. Recovered wood can also be used to manufacture other products. Untreated wood can be converted into mulch or used as fuel to help reduce our use of natural resources.

FRAMING PRACTICES AND CONSTRUCTION WASTE REDUCTION
A primary way to reduce the environmental impacts from new homes and remodels is to use just the right amount of materials you need. This includes advanced framing practices, detailed framing plans with cut lists, and pre-manufactured panelized framing components.

ADVANCED FRAMING
Building practices intended to ensure the right amounts of materials are used—neither overbuilding, nor under building. This can include spacing studs 24” on-center, planning more efficient material combinations throughout the structural frame, and optimizing spaces between framing members for improved insulation and shorter utility runs. Pre-cut and labeled material kits or pre-built panelized components can help meet these goals.

DETAILED FRAMING PLAN WITH CUT LIST
Builders can earn points under the NAHB, Green Globes TM, and LEED® programs by working with their dealers to create a detailed cut list and material order that corresponds directly to the framing plans. For example, design software can create detailed drawings showing specific locations, spacing and sizes for all floor, wall and roof members- typically in more detail than standard blueprints. This reduces waste, framing errors, and costly on-site changes

FRAMING EFFICIENCIES
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, conventional framing techniques can use up to 15-20% more material than is structurally needed. Builders can take several steps to reduce materials used, while still enabling a solid structure. Examples include pre-cut framing packages, open-web floor trusses, structural insulated panels (SIP’s), and spacing members greater than 16’ on-center.

FRAMING ORDER WASTE FACTOR
Percentage of framing material ordered and delivered to a jobsite beyond what is needed. To earn points under LEED® “material-efficient framing” category, the factor must be 10% or less. The intent is to reduce construction scrap.

ZERO WASTE
A goal to eliminate all material or energy waste related to products or services. It’s a philosophy that seeks to stop the belief that waste is inevitable. Builders can work toward zero waste by coordinating with dealers and product manufacturers to better plan material cuts and amounts needed.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
A number of green building factors address the health of a home’s interior. Below are two key concepts to be aware of.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
As home enclosures have become tighter, indoor air health has become a growing concern for homeowners. Trapped fumes from construction materials can potentially impact human health. Green building rating programs usually call for improving indoor air quality by using low-emitting materials, products with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content, and improved venting.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Potentially harmful carbon-based substances that evaporate easily into the atmosphere. They are often found in paints, caulks and adhesives, and they are typically identified by strong fumes. Materials with low-VOC content can reduce environmental damage, as well as exposure risks to construction crews and home occupants. Builders can earn points for using low-VOC materials under NAHB, Green Globes TM, and LEED® rating systems.

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Other Green Building Sections:

Green Building Practices

Terms & Definitions

Efficiency, Quality, & Durability

Standard Specs & Materials