B+A Greater Boston

BuildinG Green Continued from Page 44 It is the smart builder of today who has educated himself or herself and availed his staff of the new materials that help in setting their company apart in the marketplace as knowledgeable, cutting-edge, consumer-minded, responsible and up-todate. So what are the brass tacks of what you need to know? We are all learning through the introduction of new building codes that homes need to be built tighter and must earn a targeted energ y-efficient rating. The moving target is the materials needed to reach that goal. Do you used closed- or open-cell foam, rigid foam boards, batting for insulation in the walls or blow in cellulose? It's hard to know all the answers, and even more difficult to be an expert in every aspect of building, especially as construction becomes more of a science each day. Sustainable building is really smart building, making reasoned choices by knowing who to turn to for input and FALMOUTH READY MIX 475 Thomas B. Landers Road, E. Falmouth, MA 02536 508.548.6100 Congratulations Broderick Builders on being chosen "Builder of the Month" 52 | Greater Boston Builder+architect BoSton.BuilDerarChiteCt.Com materials, and putting new technology to work for your client. Resources such as energy assessors, renewable energy and insulation contractors who are working with the latest and most effective products, are available and should be sought out. Getting to know and understand how to select good quality materials that are no added urea formaldehyde (NAuF), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, made of reclaimed and recycled materials is a laudable goal that can be aided by specialized centers, such a green, who focus 100% of their resources on providing expert information in this emerging field. Don't be fooled by companies who promise LEED points to think you are building green. These types of marketing come-ons are a prime example of green washing and should be avoided. No material can give you LEED points; it 's ho w a nd w h e r e t h e y a r e u s e d . Materials can contribute to LEED points that are achieved on the project to get you towards certification, but materials do not have inherent points assigned to them and available from the manufacturers. It doesn't work that way. Similarly, products that are Green Guard-certified, for example, have only passed one small air quality test and the designation is not the be-all-end-all to define a green product. Green is not a band-aid that is applied to cover up a host of interior problems and suddenly make a home better built. Green or sustainable building must include all the tenets of careful construction, a well-constructed building envelope coupled with a rightsized heating and cooling system, natural light, as little disturbance to the building site, and healthy and eco minded materials for the finishes. Sustainable design is not a design style, but rather a building approach. As the next phase of requirements comes into play for retaining a contractor's license, it will be the smart builder who looks into learning about energy approaches, new ventilation ideas, and smart, responsible materials. It's not brain surgery but it is complex. Fortunately, knowledgeable professionals are available all around to make this journey manageable and inspiring. We can all look forward to reaping the benefits of these new ideas and approaches with safer, more comfortable and longerlasting buildings. n

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