In the pursuit of sustainable construction practices, the familiar mantra of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has translated from every day life into responsible building. How does resin flooring fit into this approach? Is resin flooring sustainable?
Lip service to sustainability isn’t enough to ensure progress in the construction industry. Every decision can bear consequences for the environment and, beyond the materials themselves, assessing each aspect of operations – from material sourcing to manufacturing processes – to minimise any adverse impact on our planet is important.
As industries progress and environmental consciousness deepens, construction materials must go under the microscope to examine their credentials… their composition, lifecycle, use and even their disposal can all establish each component of a building as a pivotal player in the goal for eco-friendly construction practices.
Performance characteristics & lifecycle efficiency
While initial outlay can be a significant factor in choosing flooring for commercial & industrial environments, it is critical to consider the lifecycle of each option, not only from a cost perspective, but also from that of sustainability.
The floor’s maintenance requirements over time coupled with the expected lifecycle are key considerations in balancing cost saving efficiencies with initial capital, as well as the environmental impact of each option.
Resin flooring technologies – particularly medium to heavy duty options such as epoxy high build coating systems, polyurethane self-levellers, PU concrete and epoxy terrazzo – are associated with high performance and durability as well as resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures, offering extended lifecycles compared with other flooring options, often with reduced maintenance required over the lifetime of the floor.
Epoxy terrazzo, for example, can last in excess of 30 years with an appropriate cleaning schedule and regular polishing with a high-solids metallised floor polish, particularly in heavy foot-traffic areas.
Naturally, compared with an alternative flooring product that has a much shorter lifecycle for the service criteria of the space, the requirement for rip-out and replacement is drastically less frequent, leading to two key environmental benefits.
Firstly, the volume of flooring materials ending up in landfill is reduced significantly. The maths is simple… less old floors ripped out = less old floors in landfill.
Secondly, the volume of materials going into production to replace the old floor is reduced. Not only does this include the sourcing of raw materials, but also the environmental impact of manufacturing and packaging, as well as that of logistics in getting replacement flooring to site.
Certification & standards
LEED credits
The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) scheme is a robust framework dictating sustainable and ecologically conscious building practices.
Its scope encompasses impartial validation across the entirety of green buildings’ lifecycles, ensuring adherence to stringent benchmarks for energy efficiency, prudent resource employment and minimisation of environmental footprints.
Resin flooring can aid building proprietors in acquiring LEED credits, offering versatile pathways to credit attainment, seamlessly integrating within strategies that amplify energy efficiency, enhance indoor air quality, and promote the utilisation of sustainable materials.
By embracing LEED principles through the integration of polymer flooring solutions, building proprietors assume a pivotal role in propelling more sustainable construction practices and nurturing an environment built on enduring ecological values.
Two key areas identified by LEED that apply to the use of resin flooring are Indoor Environmental Air Quality and Materials & Resources.
The former, the intent of which is to contribute to the comfort and well-being of all building occupants by establishing minimum standards for indoor air quality, recommends the selection of low emitting materials. Such materials reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality and the environment, protecting the health, productivity, and comfort of installers and building occupants.
Polymer flooring typically qualifies as “low emitting materials”, with nearly all technologies emitting zero VOC.
The Materials & Resources category includes credits relating to Building Reuse, Construction Waste Management, Recycled Content and Regional Materials, all of which can be bolstered by the use of resin flooring.
There are a number of resin flooring solutions that can be used to rehabilitate existing flooring, and many contain post-consumer waste and or recycled aggregate content.
Beyond the technology and performance characteristics of resin flooring, the logistics, packaging and installation approach is of relevance to Materials & Resources credit. Choosing products with recyclable packaging or supplied in IBC units from manufacturing facilities less than 500 miles from the project location can help buildings to achieve LEED credits.
AgBB low-emission products
The AgBB evaluation scheme sets out the quality standards for building products intended for use indoors that are relevant to health. In doing so, the scheme fosters the innovation and development of particularly low-emission products.
The AgBB scheme has been developed in compliance with a number of international standards, including ISO 16000 standards and LEED, ensuring certified products meet the criteria set out, as well as contribute to building credits where applicable.
A number of Vebro Polymers products and systems have been certified as low emissions coatings by the Committee for the Health Assessment of Construction Products (AgBB).
Contact your local team…
We’d love to discuss any upcoming projects and how resin flooring can contribute to their minimised environmental impact.
Contact the Vebro team in Manchester, UK by dropping an email to hello@vebropolymers.com.
