Specifying Green Products
To ensure the success of your green project certification,
you will need to be diligent in your choices, follow ups and
communication throughout the process.
10 Tips for Specifiers
1. Verify lead times and availability. Some
products may require special orders with extended lead times.
2. Many
products manufactured by Columbia that contribute to LEED® or NAHB Green do not cost more than our standard.
3. Columbia's
Green products are widely available to
our network of distribution throughout North America.
4. Know what level of green certification you are trying
to attain. Specify products that will contribute to that credit.
5. Products are not LEED-certified, buildings
are.
6. Fabricators must be FSC® certified to contribute to the MR7 credit
7. FSC
is the only forestry third party certifier
recognized by LEED.
8. Understand and confirm aesthetics of decorative hardwood.
Some veneer designs, cuts and matching options may be harder to acquire.
9. Clarify standards. CARB compliance does
not necessarily contribute to LEED. CARB is emission based, while LEED is based
on adhesive content.
10. Request and keep copies of invoices, bills
of lading and other documentation. These contain important proof of origin and chain
of custody information that and will help you ascertain compliance after construction
is complete.