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GOING GREEN WITH GUTTERS / Back to Products
The World Resources Institute is reporting that the Green Building sector of the construction industry has already risen to $38 Billion and growing fast. The Code Council and the NAHB have joined forces to develop the first-ever residential National Green Building Standards. These standards will make it even easier for commercial construction and home building to adapt to Green Building methods, techniques and materials.
Green building features include sustainable, durable and low maintenance building design and operation. Water and energy efficiency with attention to indoor and outdoor control is a big part of "Going Green". So, how does "Green Building" really fit in with "Going Green with Gutters?"
"Going Green" with gutters, downspouts, and drainage is a natural....actually a lot older and "Greener" than the "Green Building" initiative. The focus we need in the gutter industry is to educate ourselves and our employees about "Green Building" and include all the information in our sales presentations. There is a tremendous focus on "Going Green" by builders of all kinds and consumers in the environmentally active communities and markets. Many consumers do not think of gutters as a green product until it is brought forth in a presentation by sales and marketing efforts. There are a lot of products "hyped" to be green but may not fit the filter as to what makes a product green. The Green Building Resource Center (www.globalgreen.org) has created a filter for products to designate Green Products into FIVE categories.
HOW DO GUTTERS FIT INTO THESE "GREEN PRODUCTS" CATEGORIES?
- SAVE ENERGY
- Leaking siding and windows / Wet Insulation: Complete gutter and downspout systems properly installed and working (not overflowing) help prevent siding and windows from leaking and soaking the insulation between the walls. The "R" factor of heat and cool drops to "O" with wet insulation.... causing energy bills to skyrocket.
- CONSERVE WATER
- Rainwater Collection: The best/purest water is rainfall caught and collected by a proper gutter system, saved in rain collection and/or drained and directed properly to storage.
- PRODUCTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFE AND HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
- Toxic Mold and Mildew: One of the greatest contributors to mold in a home is uncontrolled rainwater from roofs with NO gutter or with gutter clogged and overflowing. In rainfalls we usually have wind that forces this runoff upward and through soffit vents into attics. All that moisture causes mold to start and then migrate to the structure's interiors creating unhealthy air in the home or building. A properly designed and installed gutter system can provide the protection needed.
- PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES
- Products made from Recycled Metal: The typical metals used for seamless or specialty gutter are recycled aluminum, copper or galvalume steel making a durable and non-deteriorating system. Lead free solder should be used in copper installations.
- Avoid Unnecessary Repairs: Installing compatible metal drip edge flashing with new gutters is a must that is overlooked by so many builders - this flashing will keep wood fascia from rotting, causing mold and unnecessary repairs.
- Saving the Landfills: Provided the gutter system is changed in the future, the product is recycled again and not put in our landfills.
- REDUCE BUILDING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
- Avoid Foundation and Structural Damage: Gutter systems mitigate the negative affects of storm water runoff with proper down spouting and drainage control for basements, landscaping and foundation erosion. Landscaping and plantings are protected and saved for the future enjoyment and air quality.
- Maintenance-free products prolong the life of your Home: Keeping gutters clean and free flowing is paramount to the environment; i.e. some form of regular scheduled maintenance or a quality leaf/debris control for the gutters
It is very important that we in the gutter business teach our salespeople, office and production employees the negative affect of uncontrolled rainwater and motivate them to communicate in a way to convince the consumer the need for full gutter systems and not just a piece of gutter over the front door. Get the "It's just a gutter" out of all our minds and be thinking "A Rain Control System." Our consumers of today, especially the "Gen X and Gen Y" population, are very environmentally conscious so it is in our best interest to communicate about our products in a "Green" manner.
The U. S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation is seen as an important factor by architects, major builders, contractors and government builders.... SO, SPEAK GREEN!!
You will be glad you did!
Bill Frazier, President
Austin Gutterman, Inc.
Organizing the Organization Gutter Boot Camp