St. Louis – As builders are increasingly looking for ways to incorporate sustainable design into their new projects, they are looking to manufacturers for environmentally friendly products. Swanstone not only creates a sustainable product, but also implements environmentally sound practices throughout the manufacturing process.
According to a 2006 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Survey, the number of builders who are “going green” rose 20 percent in 2005, and is expected to have risen another 30 percent in 2006—and shows no sign of slowing down in the near future.
Swanstone is working with a growing number of “green” builders and remodelers who seek to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards for sustainable design. “The LEED national standard was created to bring uniformity to green building design,” says Massoud Salessi, vice president of sales. “We are pleased to report that Swanstone solid surface products help builders work within those guidelines.”
Swanstone solid surface materials meet or exceed LEED standards in the Material and Resources (MR) and the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) categories. Here are a few of the reasons Swanstone is an environmentally friendly choice for green building design:
Swanstone is five times stronger than its competitors and heat resistant up to 450 degrees. It is designed to last a lifetime—reducing environmental impact.
Swanstone is a hard, non-porous material that is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and chemically inert. It is resistant to chemicals and does not affect plants, soil or water. It is also bacterial, mildew and mold resistant, which contributes to a healthier indoor environment.
Swanstone is committed to making every effort to protect the environment throughout the manufacturing process. The closed molding process significantly reduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants. Oil used in the process is contained and reprocessed, and many of the other materials used are recovered and recycled.
Virtually all of the 200 Swanstone Certified Fabricators are all located within 500 miles of the construction site, lessening the environmental impact of transporting products longer distances.
Swanstone also directs its fabricators to use installation adhesives and sealants with low-VOC emissions to comply with air quality standards.
Swanstone has also developed a new Green Building Brochure, designed to educate builders and remodelers on LEED standards for sustainable materials. The new brochure provides information on the LEED requirements and the credits that can be earned for using Swanstone products.
For more information about LEED standards, visit www.usgbc.org.
To download the Swanstone Green Building Brochure, visit www.swanstone.com/greenbuilding. For more information about Swanstone products, go to www.swanstone.com or call (800) 325-7008.
About the Swan Corporation
Swanstone is a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-quality, solid surface and granite products for the kitchen and bath. The Swanstone brand, known for balancing value and style, is the recognized mark of enduring products. The Swan Corporation, manufacturer of Swanstone, is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Swanstone products are sold throughout the world.
