What is Green Building?

Green building is a broad term that has many definitions.

The U.S. Green Building Council defines it as “the planning, design, construction, and operations of buildings with several central, foremost considerations: energy use, water use, indoor environmental quality, material section and the building’s effects on its site.” (USGBC)

The EPA defines it as “the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.” (EPA)

Here at Select Building Products, no matter how organizations define it, we are dedicated to products that contribute to sustainability and green building. We are always looking for new innovative products that continue the advancement of quality, sustainability, efficiency, and healthy building.

Benefits of Green Building

Green building focuses on three different categories throughout the entire lifecycle of the project: environmental, economic, and social. It has numerous benefits for each:

Environmental Benefits of Green Building

Green buildings are designed to not only reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment but also to have a positive impact on their surroundings. Reduced water, energy, and natural resources are just a few examples of how using green building materials and practices reduce harmful factors to the environment. Green buildings are also often designed to generate their own energy or increase biodiversity in their environment, adding a positive effect on their surroundings.

Economic Benefits of Green Building

Reduced and efficient use of energy, water, and other natural resources is only one aspect of the economic benefits that green building brings. Lower construction costs, higher property value, increased occupancy rates, utility bill savings, and job creation all are positive outcomes for the economy and those involved with the building.

Social Benefits of Green Building

While social benefits may not seem like the most obvious of the three categories, it is an important aspect of green building. Many of these benefits involve the health and wellbeing of the people who work in green offices or live in green homes, promoting health, happiness, and productivity. 

The World Green Building Council has a dedicated project to this area of green building, Better Places for People, where you can learn more about this important mission.

Green Building Features & Examples

Green building is a broad topic, including, but not limited to, these features and examples:

  • Efficient or reduced use of energy, water, and natural resources
  • Renewable energy (ie. solar energy)
  • Processes to reduce pollution and waste
  • Enabling re-use and recycling mindsets
  • Good indoor air quality to improve occupant health
  • Keeping the environment in mind during design, construction, and operation
  • Use of sustainable and ethically-sourced materials
  • Promoting the health, wellbeing, and productivity of occupants
  • Connecting communities and people
  • Resilient and flexible structures

Green Building & Select Building Products

Select Building Products is dedicated to finding green building materials that promote sustainability, healthy building, and innovation. With our variety of FSC-certified wood products, we are proud to have such a long history of working with LEED, Living Building Challenge, or other green building certified projects in the United States. We know the importance of the documentation and steps behind those certifications and want to work with you so we can continue to spread our mission of promoting green and sustainable building.

Tell Us About Your Project

If you would like more information or to receive a budget for an upcoming project, fill out the inquiry form and upload any plans or drawings and Select Building Products will follow up with you.