Choosing green building solutions allows you to do your part in protecting the environment. From durable materials to low-maintenance solutions, the right materials contribute to LEED certification and support sustainability without sacrificing style or performance. Realizing green building initiatives takes planning, teamwork, and the right partners, and VIVA Railings supports these initiatives through our low-maintenance railing solutions. Let’s take a look at how various factors affect green building solutions.
Environmentally-Friendly Materials
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a sustainable materials management approach seeks to “use and reuse materials more productively over their entire life cycle.” This includes using materials in the most productive way, focusing on using less and reducing toxic chemicals and environmental impact. The ultimate goal is to have enough resources to meet the needs of today and future needs.
This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including through the use of long-lasting building materials and environmentally-friendly practices to reduce waste and chemical use.
Long-lasting materials not only hold up in high-use environments, but they can actually be more cost effective and environmentally-friendly in the long-term. Choosing lower quality materials might look good initially, especially when working within a budget, but these materials can end up needing frequent repairs and even replacement.
Lower quality materials, while often less expensive, break down faster and the cost to repair and replace them can add up to quite a bit over time. Plus, replacement also requires disposal of the original materials which adds to landfills.
High-quality environmentally-friendly materials with a long lifespan not only elevate the look and feel of the space, but they can also be more cost-effective as they hold up well against high-traffic, exterior conditions, and time. At the end of their lifespan, recyclable materials see new life in their next iteration.
From glass infills to metal railing systems, our long-lasting materials stand the test of time. We incorporate the following environmentally-friendly materials and methods into our products to support green building initiatives.
- Glass
- Wood
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- LED lighting
- CeraShield coating
By focusing on materials and methods that support green initiatives, we can help you achieve your sustainability goals as you bring your project to life.
Reduced Maintenance
Leaning into proactive rather than reactive maintenance has a positive impact on the environment and your ability to meet green initiatives and goals. By staying on top of maintenance needs, you can extend the life of the materials and reduce repairs and replacement needs.
One way to reduce maintenance on the front end is through the use of high-quality materials. This, paired with proactive maintenance as necessary, encourages the materials to last as long as possible, reducing the need for replacement which is inherently more sustainable than constantly producing and replacing lower-quality, cheaper systems.
Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse takes existing spaces and modifies, retrofits, or redesigns them to meet current needs. This practice reduces waste and leads to cost savings. To do this right, it’s important to think about the long-term needs of space and how to meet them effectively now and in the future. During the redesign process, integrating sustainable materials and practices help to meet green initiatives and leverage existing spaces to reduce environmental harm.
LEED Certification Criteria
LEED certified buildings represent a commitment to health, efficiency, and cost-effective buildings. Choosing materials that fit within the LEED framework creates a more sustainable space for people to enjoy now and in the future. All of our stainless steel products contain a minimum of 65% pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content, with a minimum post-consumer recycled content of 25%. As a result, VIVA Railings offers LEED Materials & Resources Credits 4.1 and 4.2 for LEED Certified projects.
Smart Manufacturing Choices
Sustainability isn’t just about the materials you choose. It’s a holistic process that encompasses every stage of the design process. We house all of our operations in our Lewisville, Texas headquarters. Keeping our operations centralized allows you to keep all aspects of production under one roof. Starting with the design and engineering, we’ll walk with you through each step of the process all the way through fabrication and installation. Choosing to work with a company that supports your project and design goals makes things go more smoothly, saving time, money, and energy to contribute to a more sustainable process as a whole.
Partner with VIVA Railings to Support Green Building Initiatives
Green building initiatives are increasingly important to support the environment and reduce the impacts on climate change. To help, VIVA Railings offers low-maintenance and durable solutions using smart manufacturing methods.
Our prefabricated glass and metal railing systems support a wide range of customization options and our effective project management allows for seamless coordination and minimized disruptions. We also offer LED railing lighting solutions and finishing methods compliant with VOC regulations.
When we work with you, we’ll act as a partner in your green building initiatives meeting your design challenges with expertise.
Contact the experts at VIVA Railings today to share your project goals and see how we can work together to achieve them.