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 to Aid in Specifying Green Products

1. Verify lead times and availability. Some products may require special orders with extended lead times.

2. Veneer core, MPX and Classic Core® offerings contribute to LEED® or NAHB criteria in many circumstances and do not cost more as they are Columbia ‘s standard offering.

3. Columbia’s Green products are widely available to our network of distribution throughout North America. Click here to locate one in your area.

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.logo_fsclogo_USGBC (1)specifying green products, hardwood plywood, plywood, PureBond