Rose PAVING CO.

Last week we introduced you to LEED® certification and discussed its impact on property managers and building owners.  To wrap up our “green” paving theme, we would like to conclude with a look at the key metrics that matter most when it comes to achieving LEED® certification.

First, it’s important to understand that there are several different rating systems – each one customized for various building types.  Begin by learning about the LEED® Rating Systems™ and where your project fits in.

As a general rule of thumb, LEED® points are based on a 100-point scale.  In order to achieve certification, a project must meet all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points.  Points are assigned to five key categories: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.  Additionally, there are four levels of certification relating to the amount of points your project acquires: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Did you know that Rose Paving can help your property achieve LEED® certification?  The following is a partial list of products and processes that can be utilized on your parking lot to get you on track for LEED® credits!

• Solar Reflective Coatings
• Permeable Paver Bricks
• Pervious Concrete
• Porous Asphalt
• Slag & Fly-Ash Concrete
• Asphalt & concrete sealants
• Hybrid & carpool parking spaces
• Recycled rubber parking bumpers
• Bioswales

For more information on any of these products, or to continue the discussion on building certification contact us today!

Turn over a new leaf and LEED the way!

No, it’s not a typo…  Now there is a new way to take the LEED and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.   As a property manager or building owner, we know you have heard a lot about “going green.”  But, how does this movement affect you, your tenants, and your organization as a whole?  Believe it or not, it can have a huge, long-term impact! 

Utilizing practices and materials that conserve resources can qualify your property for LEED certification.  And, by certifying your green building, you gain recognition for your site, which makes it more marketable and desirable to tenants and customers while also satisfying the growing need to protect our environment.  Also beneficial is the financial gain realized by saving water, reducing waste, lowering operating costs, and even qualifying for tax rebates and other incentives.  

So, what is LEED?  LEED is an acronym that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is the internationally recognized system for certifying buildings (commercial and residential) as high-performance “green” sites that are healthy, productive places to work; less costly to operate; and maintain a reduced environmental footprint.

To become LEED-certified, building projects must earn credits in key areas that promote human and environmental health.  Our post next week will go into more depth about how to become certified and the key metrics that matter most. Please stay tuned…

For more information on the LEED system and its framework, please visit http://www.usgbc.org/.

1)      Save Energy

Solar Reflective Coating, Chicago suburbs

Solar reflective coatings are just one example of how Green Paving Solutions help save energy.  Solar reflective coatings are designed for heat reduction of parking surfaces.  The product is formulated with infrared reflective pigments to reduce solar absorption, increase reflectance and, ultimately, reduce cooling costs.

Additionally, the use of warm-mix asphalt versus hot-mix asphalt, a difference in temperature during production of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cuts fuel consumption, decreases the production of greenhouse gases, and reduces emissions.

 2)      Reduce Pollution & Waste

There are recycled alternatives to both concrete and asphalt which, when utilized, conserve resources and reduce waste.  For example, the use of fly ash – a recovered resource – reduces depletion of natural resources.  It also reduces the energy-intensive manufacturing of other concrete ingredients, leading to savings in both energy usage and emissions of greenhouse gases.

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Content, or RAP Content, is the term given to removed and/or reprocessed pavement materials containing asphalt and aggregates.  The utilization of high RAP has the greatest economical, environmental, and engineering impact in pavement recycling.

 3)      Save Costs

One example of how “Green” products cut costs is RePLAY™, an agricultural oil seal and preservation agent that can double the lifespan of existing pavement.  RePLAY™, manufactured by Biospan Technologies, Inc., reverses the naturally occurring oxidation process while, at the same time, strengthening asphalt mix and sealing hairline cracks.  RePLAY™ is comparable in costs to a traditional sealcoat application; however, it offers greater long-term benefits by reducing the need for repairs in the future.

Porous Asphalt, Iowa: A water truck demonstrates how porous pavement at the right drains quickly, while water stands on the conventional pavement at the left. Photo courtesy of NAPA.

 4)      Mitigate Stormwater Management Issues

Permeable pavers, pervious concrete, and porous asphalt alike are three different types of porous systems, which provide alternative solutions to stormwater management.  Each promotes filtration and acts as on-site retention.

 5)      Qualify for Various LEED® Credits (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

A LEED®-certified building can qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other city incentives.  In addition to the many financial benefits of LEED® certification, LEED®-certified buildings provide a healthier and safer environment for occupants.

Alternatives such as pervious concrete, solar reflective coatings, and permeable paver bricks are environmentally friendly options which are also LEED® compliant.

Stay tuned for more info on Green products as well as a complete explanation of LEED® Certification coming later this month!