Masonry Magazine November 2007 Page. 19
Brick: A Green Building Material
Brick is a sustainable and environmentally friendly building material that can help a project earn LEED certification. The raw materials in brick are chemically inert; brick is fire-resistant and recyclable; and brick offers insulating benefits, lowering heating and cooling costs for owners. Additionally, many brick and other masonry products often are manufactured and distributed locally, minimizing fossil fuel consumption from transportation (and the resulting emissions). Moreover, brick from older construction projects can be salvaged and reinstalled elsewhere, which saves landfill space. Many designers, builders and contractors already have caught on to the marketing benefits of selling brick as a green material.
Christine Subasic, PE, LEED AP of The Masonry Society told Masonry in 2004 that the same benefits to the community of protecting our environment benefit the contractor well. "Practices such as recycling construction waste can lead to a reduction in contractor costs as opposed to paying tipping fees at a landfill. In addition, the positive publicity that LEED-certified buildings receive extends to all members of the design team," she said.
To assist the team in achieving LEED points for a masonry building, Subasic added that it is the contractor's responsibility to see that the specifications necessary to obtain the LEED certification are followed.
Patricia Hohmann, owner of Hohmann & Barnard, agrees. "The mason contractors' role in this is to get themselves educated about what needs to be done in order to help promote a healthy living environment for every structure they're building," she says, adding that contractors need to have a working understanding of why they are putting up a green building.
Green schools
SPEAKING OF EDUCATION: In a show of solidarity and support for green building, particularly when it comes to
Smart Design = Dry Structures
epro Innovative Engineered Solutions for Commercial and Residential Waterproofing
• Cavity Wall Air Barriers
• Below-Grade Waterproofing
Retaining Wall Waterproofing
• Masonry Sealers
• Dry Laid Paver Stabilizer
A World of Difference
epro
Waterproofing Systems
epro Services, Inc.
-800-882-1896-
www.eproserv.com
Dealer, Installer, and Representative Inquiries Welcomed