CertainTeed Publishes Industry-First Life Cycle Assessment for Vinyl Fence, Vinyl Railing and Composite Railing Systems
Data offers a transparent look at product sustainability and supports the company’s continued effort to exceed in environmental performance
(Valley Forge, Pa.) – CertainTeed is letting the facts speak for themselves, becoming the first vinyl fence and railing manufacturer to provide complete product environmental transparency by publishing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The LCA covers its Bufftech® vinyl fence, as well as Kingston vinyl railing and Panorama® composite railing products under the EverNew® brand.
Dedicated to providing contractors the best products for green building projects, CertainTeed chose to be the first fence and railing manufacturer to publish an LCA through the Building for Economic and Environmental Sustainability (BEES) program. An online program designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), BEES offers transparent and credible product environmental and economic performance information.
Conducted by Sustainable Solutions Corporation of Royersford, Pa., the LCA includes a cradle-to-grave, in-depth analysis of raw material acquisition, manufacturing, transportation and distribution, installation, maintenance, and end of life recycling and final disposal. To provide full transparency and accessibility, the LCA was submitted to the BEES database for independent review and publication. The BEES system aligns with ISO 14044, the internationally recognized standard for LCA under the International Organization for Standardization.
“Seeking this extensive analysis not only supports our customers in making sustainable product choices, it also demonstrates our company-wide devotion to making environmental advancements,” said Doug Mucher, marketing manager for CertainTeed Outdoor Living and Trim. “We are constantly pursuing new ways to reduce our environmental impact and this publication confirms that our vinyl fence, vinyl railing and composite railing systems are aligned with that commitment.”
“By adding another industry-first LCA under their belt, CertainTeed proves they are not only a valued partner, but an industry leader that truly believes in product transparency for their customers,” said Tad Radzinski, president of Sustainable Solutions Corporation.
In addition to its exemplary sustainability performance, choosing these products can also contribute to earning points for green building certification in both USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) and Home Innovation Research Labs building programs. By selecting these products with a published and third-party verified LCA, there is potential to contribute towards projects pursuing LEED Pilot Credit 52, Material Multi-Attribute Assessment, and NGBS Practice 610.1.2.1, Product LCA.
CertainTeed offers unsurpassed Freedom of Choice® through its industry-leading portfolio of long-lasting polymer, insulated and vinyl siding as well as fence, railing, decking and exterior trim. CertainTeed offers the advantage of using exterior products from a single source that are designed to mix-and-match with each other and feature authentic textures, versatile styles and rich color combinations, for a beautifully coordinated look. As the result of a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, CertainTeed is the first manufacturer to issue and publish third-party validated life cycle assessments (LCA) for its vinyl, trim, fence and railing product lines. For more information, visit www.certainteed.com/freedomofchoice.
About CertainTeed
Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., has helped shape the building products industry for more than 110 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm's slogan "Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed," quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed® is North America’s leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, fence, decking, railing, trim, insulation, gypsum and ceilings.
A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest and oldest building products companies, and celebrating its 350th anniversary, CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 5,700 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. For six consecutive years, the company has received top honors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its contributions in protecting the environment and was most recently the recipient of the 2014 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award. The group had total sales of approximately $3.3 billion in 2014. www.certainteed.com
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