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Pick up any construction, design or industry magazine today and the word “Green” will be on the cover. In residential home building alone, the “Green” market is growing 6 to 10 percent, and is expected to double in five years.
Becoming educated on all of the “Green” technology will almost require a full-time employee, as the documents for LEED projects are lengthy. We will all have to depend on our suppliers to help us with this movement. As our resources tighten up and environmental laws get tougher, going “Green” will become the norm.
Since the last issue of Finishing magazine, changes in LEED have taken place. New criteria for homes and libraries have gone from the conception stage to implementation.
Homes and schools are different in that shop applied coatings will now have to comply with the lower VOCs requirements of on-site applications that are in the LEED for new construction.
HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants)have been the focus by the government to be reduced in our shops, and now the movement to lower VOC in our shops has begun via the “Green” movement.
LEED for homes is an initiative designed to promote the transformation of the mainstream home building industry toward more sustainable practice. LEED for homes is targeting the top 25 percent of new homes with best practice environmental features. LEED for homes helps home builders differentiate their homes as some of the best homes in their markets, using a recognizable national brand.
Unlike the LEED for new construction, LEED for homes has coatings in a different category, materials and resources.
LEED FOR HOMES
Materials and Resources (MR)
MR 2: Environmentally preferable products
Intent: Increase demand for environmentally preferable products and products or building components that are extracted, processed and manufactured within the region.
Requirements:
• Clear wood finishes: Varnish 350 g/l; lacquers 550 g/l
• Sealers; sanding sealers 275 g/l
• Stains 250 g/l
The coatings are included in this credit rather than in the EQ section in order to consolidate information pertaining to materials selection, specification and purchase.
