The Hunt for Green Products
How can you find green materials and report on the sustainability attributes of the products from the manufacturer? There are applications for that. With Web-based technology, contractors can find products, evaluate against rating systems, and gather product documentation necessary for inclusion in the spec.
Technology allows spec writers and general contractors to filter “green” product information. With Web-based tools, contractors can compare the environmental impact of the products and materials with the rating systems.
One example comes from ecoScorecard, www.ecoscorecard.com, Atlanta, Ga. With plugins for SketchUp and Revit, contractors can analyze green building products in the model against major third-party rating systems and produce detailed reports on the performance of the materials.
After selecting the right materials for the job, the technology provides manufacturers’ product documentation as well and integrates with LEED Online for certification.
For construction teams being able to integrate product information with LEED Online can save a significant amount of time in the certification process.
GreenWizard, www.greenwizard.com, Mount Pleasant, S.C., is another company that offers such technology. With the Web-based solution, WORKflow Pro, contractors can gather product data and documentation.
Herman/Stewart, www.herman-stewart.com, Lanham, Md., a commercial construction services company building retail, restaurant, hotel, and senior living centers, is using the WORKflow Pro solution to search, specify, and purchase green products. However, the technology allows this contractor to do more than just find the right product. After selecting the materials, the platform can be used for workflow management, eliminating the need to work with a LEED consulting firm.
The WORKflow Pro solution allows team to collaborate on a green building project and integrate that information with LEED Online for certification. For the construction team, the data can also be pulled for ongoing reference and future use.
Green construction technology allows contractors to find the perfect product for the job, but also improves workflow from the design through operations. Interested in learning more about how technology helps build green? Check out the recent cover story in the May/June issue of Constructech magazine.