A new trend is sweeping the nation and transforming the design world into a whole new industry. “Going green” has become a priority to property managers, architects and designers. This affects both commercial and residential building projects.
The most recognized standard for green building is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an internationally recognized green building certification system. LEED provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 reduction, indoor environmental quality, and sensitivity to material origin and to their impacts. The LEED certification system offers government incentives and press interest in particular projects.
According to the article “Building ‘Green’ Reaches a New Level,” the cost of green products are only about 1-2% more up front and this cost is covered in energy savings down the road. The products are often high performing, long lasting products that save the cost of maintenance down the road, as well as cost of operating.
SLIPNOT green products meet the recycled material requirements of LEED to earn points toward a green project.
Ritter, John. “Building ‘Green’ Reaches a New Level”. USA Today, July, 2006. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-26-green-construction_x.htm
