Leed/Green Globes

In general non-technical terms, sustainability is defined as the ability to support or to keep a process going for a significant, yet undefined period of time. In the construction industry, the concept takes on tighter parameters. Sustainability in this context has come to be synonymous with “environmentally friendly” and “green.” Engineers and architects define sustainability to mean having no net negative impact on the environment while providing a long life cycle of performance. It also embraces qualities such as energy savings, material reuse and minimal maintenance.

In an effort to reduce the energy consumption across the country, more and more builders are embracing the concept of sustainable development––the ability to build the facilities and structures we need today without depleting resources for the future. Sustainability seeks to balance the economic, social and environmental impacts, recognizing that population growth will continue as will the need for more commercial structures.

CUVIELLIO CONCRETE has had a White Paper written by a LEED AP that explores the sustainable benefits of polishing a concrete floor for use in a variety of aesthetical applications as opposed to covering the concrete with carpeting, hardwood or other traditional floor covering material. This process, as offered by Cuviello Concrete and as taught at the Concrete Polishing Technical Institute.

By its basic nature, this process is sustainable for a number of reasons. The process eliminates the need for a second floor covering material, which offers a significantly shorter life cycle than the concrete substrate. Carpeting is traditionally replaced on a frequent cycle, depending on traffic and wear, and although a wood surface typically lasts longer, it requires a higher degree of maintenance and frequent refinishing. Statistically, no floor covering materials comes close to outlasting its concrete foundation.

Application methods for polishing concrete vary among suppliers. Although most chemicals used by the various suppliers are considered environmentally friendly, there is a significant environmental difference in wet versus dry grinding processes. This report will document these differences.

This report will also address several of the more popular green building initiatives, specifically the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System and the international Green Globes program. We will offer specific details on the role a polished concrete floor can play in the various categories and credits that are available in a LEED project.

The report covers explains what LEED credits and Green Globes points are available when the Cuviello Concrete Polishing system is used and covers the following categories:

LEED
NC (VERSION 2.2) – NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR RENOVATION
EB -- EXISTING BUILDINGS - Operations & Maintenance
CI – COMMERCIAL INTERIORS
CS – CORE & SHELL CONSTRUCTION
SCHOOLS

Green Globes
ENERGY
RESOURCES, BUILDING MATERIALS & SOLID WASTE
INDOOR ENVIRONMENT