As sustainability becomes a cornerstone of modern construction, green building certifications are pivotal in ensuring that new projects meet high environmental standards. These certifications not only demonstrate a commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility but also add long-term value to buildings by reducing operational costs, enhancing the occupant experience, and meeting regulatory requirements. In this blog, we’ll explore key certifications like LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and others, and how TAG Hardware’s products can contribute to achieving these certifications.

1. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

Overview:

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is one of the most widely recognized and utilized green building certification programs globally. It focuses on several key areas, including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

How TAG Hardware Supports LEED Certification:

TAG Hardware offers architectural hardware and glass solutions that contribute to LEED points in multiple categories:

• Energy Efficiency: TAG’s advanced glazing systems help reduce energy consumption by enhancing thermal insulation, a critical aspect of the LEED Energy & Atmosphere category.
• Sustainable Materials: Using materials with recycled content or materials that are locally sourced can contribute to LEED Materials & Resources points. TAG Hardware offers customizable options that support these goals.
• Indoor Environmental Quality: The brand's products promote natural light through efficient glazing and glass systems, which enhance daylighting in buildings. This positively impacts indoor environmental quality, improving occupant comfort and productivity.

2. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

Overview:

BREEAM is one of the earliest green building certification systems, created in the UK. It assesses the sustainability of a building through design, construction, and operational performance. Key focus areas include energy, health and well-being, innovation, land use, materials, management, pollution, transport, waste, and water.

How TAG Hardware Supports BREEAM Certification:

• Energy & Water Use: TAG’s hardware systems, particularly their energy-efficient glazing solutions, help reduce both operational energy and water usage by facilitating improved insulation and ventilation.
• Waste Management: By offering products that use sustainable or recyclable materials, TAG Hardware helps architects and builders reduce waste during construction and operation, an important criterion in BREEAM.
• Health & Well-being: With an emphasis on natural lighting and noise reduction, TAG’s glass solutions create healthier and more comfortable environments, which align with BREEAM’s goals for occupant well-being.

3. WELL Building Standard

Overview:

WELL focuses on the health and wellness of building occupants, making it unique among green building certifications. This certification evaluates the impact of the building environment on human health through aspects like air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

How TAG Hardware Supports WELL Certification:

• Daylight Optimization: TAG’s high-performance glazing products maximize natural light while minimizing heat gain, contributing to WELL's Light category by promoting healthier circadian rhythms.
• Thermal Comfort: The hardware solutions enhance a building’s thermal performance, ensuring stable and comfortable temperatures inside, directly supporting WELL’s Comfort criteria.

4. Green Globes

Overview:

Green Globes is an alternative to LEED, offering a flexible and user-friendly way to measure the sustainability of buildings. It is a points-based system that assesses energy use, water consumption, resource conservation, emissions, and indoor environment.

How TAG Hardware Supports Green Globes Certification:

• Resource Efficiency: TAG's products are designed with sustainability in mind, using materials that minimize environmental impact. These include durable, long-lasting glass systems that reduce the need for replacements.
• Energy Conservation: By providing advanced insulation and UV protection, TAG's products help lower a building’s energy consumption, directly supporting Green Globes’ energy performance metrics.

5. Passive House (Passivhaus)

Overview:

Passive House is a performance-based certification that focuses on building energy efficiency, particularly regarding heating and cooling loads. To qualify, buildings must meet stringent energy usage requirements, reducing their environmental impact significantly.

How TAG Hardware Supports Passive House Certification:

• Energy Performance: TAG’s high-performance glass systems offer superior insulation, minimizing energy losses through windows and doors. This is crucial for meeting Passive House’s ultra-low energy consumption standards.

TAG Hardware’s Commitment to Green Building

TAG Hardware recognizes the importance of sustainability in the modern construction industry. Its commitment to offering environmentally friendly products positions it as a valuable partner for green building projects. The architectural hardware and glazing systems provided by TAG are designed to support various green building certifications by offering:

• Energy-efficient glazing and hardware systems: These products optimize energy use in buildings by improving thermal performance and natural lighting, reducing both heating and cooling loads.
• Sustainable and recyclable materials: TAG Hardware ensures that its products are made from materials with a low environmental footprint, contributing to resource efficiency.
• Health-focused design: Many of TAG’s systems enhance indoor air quality, access to natural light, and thermal comfort, making them ideal for certifications like WELL and LEED.

Conclusion

Achieving green building certifications like LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and others can provide both environmental and economic benefits. With TAG Hardware’s innovative solutions, builders and architects can meet the stringent requirements of these certifications while delivering high-performance, sustainable buildings. Whether it’s energy-efficient glazing or eco-friendly hardware, TAG Hardware is here to support your journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.

This World Green Building Week, let’s focus on making smarter choices that protect our planet while enhancing the quality of our built environment.

Also, visit www.taghardware.ca to learn more about the products.