As people are becoming more conscientious about the environment, the demands for "green" construction projects are increasing.
Therefore, it is invaluable for decorative concrete contractors to become proactive about LEED ratings and to know the environmental consequences of concrete temperatures.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is an organization interested in assisting the public to build safer, greener structures.
They operate on a point based system in which points are awarded when a builder meets certain environmentally friendly criteria.
If a builder is interested in earning LEED points, cooler concrete is one way to acquire them.
Surface coolness is determined by a surface's solar reflective index, or SRI value.
An SRI is a material's measured temperature based on reflectance and heat emittance.
These are calculated on a scale from zero to one with one being most reflective.
Reflectance is the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight, while emittance is defined by how well a surface radiates heat into space.
An SRI value is important in decorative concrete because a LEED requirement for a green concrete surface is an SRI of 29 or greater.
Builders should be interested in the benefits of cooler surfaces because numerous studies show that untreated surfaces contribute to the Urban Heat Island Effect.
The UHI, as defined by the U.
S.
Environmental Protection Agency, is a measurable increase in ambient urban air temperatures resulting primarily from the replacement of vegetation with buildings, roads and other heat-absorbing infrastructures.
The heat island effect can result in significant temperature differences between rural and urban areas.
In other words, as sunlight comes in contact with objects such as buildings or roads, radiation is absorbed and heat is generated.
Temperatures can reach unacceptable levels if heated objects are unable to reflect the Sun's rays.
As a result, energy is used to cool down the area.
Obviously excessive heat can affect the health, safety and comfort of inhabitants.
Fortunately, the surface temperature of materials, specifically concrete surfaces, can be decreased in a few different ways.
Although concrete is a naturally cool substance, other treatments or embellishments can lower the temperature even more.
To name a few: lighter colors, durable sealers and coatings, irregular surfaces/textured concrete, pervious concrete, proper maintenance, and even decorative additives like glass.
Infrared reflective technology also allows you to control the heat in concrete surfaces.
The following is an excerpt from the Portland Cement Association: "Concrete surfaces can earn a LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation (LEED-NC version 2.
2) credit through Sustainable Sites Credit 7.
1: Heat Island Effect, Non-Roof.
The intent of this credit is to reduce the heat island effect.
The intent can be met if materials that stay cool in sunlight are used on at least half of the site's non-roof impervious surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks, courtyards and parking lots.
" The technology to maximize a products total solar reflectance can prevent a concrete surface from absorbing an uncomfortable amount of solar rays.
By maximizing solar reflectance, products are also available now in darker colors, allowing a homeowner to build with the environment in mind, while still being able to get the look they desire.
Using infrared reflective technology on concrete surfaces can lower an SRI rating, as well as contribute to a builder's LEED points.
Therefore, it is invaluable for decorative concrete contractors to become proactive about LEED ratings and to know the environmental consequences of concrete temperatures.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is an organization interested in assisting the public to build safer, greener structures.
They operate on a point based system in which points are awarded when a builder meets certain environmentally friendly criteria.
If a builder is interested in earning LEED points, cooler concrete is one way to acquire them.
Surface coolness is determined by a surface's solar reflective index, or SRI value.
An SRI is a material's measured temperature based on reflectance and heat emittance.
These are calculated on a scale from zero to one with one being most reflective.
Reflectance is the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight, while emittance is defined by how well a surface radiates heat into space.
An SRI value is important in decorative concrete because a LEED requirement for a green concrete surface is an SRI of 29 or greater.
Builders should be interested in the benefits of cooler surfaces because numerous studies show that untreated surfaces contribute to the Urban Heat Island Effect.
The UHI, as defined by the U.
S.
Environmental Protection Agency, is a measurable increase in ambient urban air temperatures resulting primarily from the replacement of vegetation with buildings, roads and other heat-absorbing infrastructures.
The heat island effect can result in significant temperature differences between rural and urban areas.
In other words, as sunlight comes in contact with objects such as buildings or roads, radiation is absorbed and heat is generated.
Temperatures can reach unacceptable levels if heated objects are unable to reflect the Sun's rays.
As a result, energy is used to cool down the area.
Obviously excessive heat can affect the health, safety and comfort of inhabitants.
Fortunately, the surface temperature of materials, specifically concrete surfaces, can be decreased in a few different ways.
Although concrete is a naturally cool substance, other treatments or embellishments can lower the temperature even more.
To name a few: lighter colors, durable sealers and coatings, irregular surfaces/textured concrete, pervious concrete, proper maintenance, and even decorative additives like glass.
Infrared reflective technology also allows you to control the heat in concrete surfaces.
The following is an excerpt from the Portland Cement Association: "Concrete surfaces can earn a LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation (LEED-NC version 2.
2) credit through Sustainable Sites Credit 7.
1: Heat Island Effect, Non-Roof.
The intent of this credit is to reduce the heat island effect.
The intent can be met if materials that stay cool in sunlight are used on at least half of the site's non-roof impervious surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks, courtyards and parking lots.
" The technology to maximize a products total solar reflectance can prevent a concrete surface from absorbing an uncomfortable amount of solar rays.
By maximizing solar reflectance, products are also available now in darker colors, allowing a homeowner to build with the environment in mind, while still being able to get the look they desire.
Using infrared reflective technology on concrete surfaces can lower an SRI rating, as well as contribute to a builder's LEED points.
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