Green
At Upchurch Kimborough, we’ve been committed to building green and sustainable since our inception, but today innovations in technology and product development have made going green even more attainable at any budget.
Our product specialists understand that the definitions and terminology associated with the concepts of green and sustainable are in constant flux, and we stay abreast of the latest developments and trends so you have every opportunity at your disposal to learn about and build with state-of-the-art green and sustainable materials and technology.
For all your questions about renewability, sustainability, LEED, energy efficiency, recyclability, carbon footprints, certified products and any of the other latest, greatest trends green, call Upchurch and find out how you can save on expenses while preserving our Earth.
What is green?
The EPA defines green building as “the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.”
Some of the components involved in green building are design (for energy efficiency, including the use of renewable resources), a healthy indoor air environment (with adequate ventilation and material choices that minimize VOCs), building materials (sustainable, low embodied energy, minimal upstream environmental impact), and efficient water use (via appliance, faucet and shower head choices).
What is sustainable?
“Sustainability” is defined by The BIA’s Tech Note 48 as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability, with respect to construction, speaks to the life cycle of the materials outside the context of their role in a structure. Energy spent manufacturing and shipping the materials, the recyclability, longevity, and durability of the materials themselves, and the relationship (“friendliness”) of the compounds to our environment all play important roles in determining whether or not and to what degree a project can be considered “sustainable”.