Green. It seems to be the new buzzword in the construction industry. And with good reason. The construction practices of the past are simply unsatisfactory for the world of today - and tomorrow. It's more important than ever that we conserve natural resources and reduce waste and pollution. There are countless reasons why we should do every we can to protect the environment.
ICFs not only offer the owners and tenants unbeatable benefits, but they’re also environmentally responsible.
Building an ICF home instead of traditional stick frame home saves at least 10 trees.
The enormous reduction in energy use — 30% to 70%* — saves our natural resources.
The energy savings also result in less carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere on an ongoing basis.
ICF blocks result in less construction waste.
ICFs contain no HCFC, formaldehyde, asbestos, or fiberglass, and no harmful CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are used in their manufacture, nor is there any degree of "off-gassing."
Environmentally-responsible construction isn't just a trend. Green building is picking up momentum as more and more public and private building owners demand high-performance, earth-friendly construction methods and materials.
Sustainable construction may take a little more effort and money up front, but this is truly outweighed by the lasting benefits and long-term savings for the building owner and the environment alike. And the fact is, as "green building" becomes the norm, its practicality and affordability will increase. It just takes forward-thinking, concerned home buyers, homebuilders, developers, contractors, and architects to pioneer and establish its practice.
The ongoing energy use of a building is probably the single greatest environmental impact of that building and continues to impact the environment for decades, even centuries. So the opportunity to choose a building material -- like insulating concrete forms -- which can significantly decrease its energy consumption, shouldn't be taken lightly.
Can't you spare a little change for Mother Nature? The future will thank you. The lower utilities costs and increased comfort will reward you.
What is LEED?
As you research the subject of green building, you've undoubtedly encountered the term: LEED®. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the U.S. Green Building Council representing all segments of the building industry developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution.
LEED was created to:
define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
stimulate green competition
raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
transform the building market
LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED recognizes achievements and promotes expertise in green building through a comprehensive system offering project certification, professional accreditation, training and practical resources. (Excerpt from U.S. Green Building Council's website.)
