In a world where efficiency and environmental consideration has become increasingly important, businesses are clamoring to earn LEED credits to prove the sustainability of their buildings. The United States Green Building Council established the “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED) program in 1998. The purpose of this policy was to act as a third-party system of certification, designed to monitor the energy efficiency of architectural projects.
Today, the LEED rating system is the mainstream standard for judging energy efficiency in industrial and commercial buildings, and certification is highly desirable among energy-conscious organizations. A LEED certification stands as a prestigious accomplishment, providing financial benefits that conventional designs do not – as well as lower utility bills, higher social advantages, and even tax credits in some circumstances.
While there are many ways to earn LEED credits, perforated panels are some of the simplest, most versatile, and most cost effective solutions in designing an energy-efficient building.
Perforated Panels as Sustainable Solutions
Perforated panels provide a sustainable component for architectural design. Perforated metal has the unique ability to blend recyclability and functionality, offering a number of green advantages to businesses in search of LEED certification. Constructed with recycled metals like aluminum and steel, perforated panels re-recycle unused materials for minimal resource depletion.
An attractive choice for business owners and architects, perforated metal:
Is easily recycled
Uses recycled material in construction
Promotes sustainability
Enhances air flow
Dissipates heat
Reduces energy usage
Minimizes negative environmental impact
Perforated panels are available in many sizes, patterns, and designs – offering an incredible tool for architects working towards LEED certification, through both interior and exterior creations.
Exterior Perforated Panels and LEED Certification
In exterior applications, perforated panels are largely used as a way to enhance visual appeal; they provide unique decorative qualities, while controlling light filtration and penetration, regulating heating and cooling, and maintaining energy-efficient buildings capable of utilizing passive cooling and solar shading.
Perforated panel design allows you to earn LEED credits by using metal sunshades, which act as effective methods for controlling the level of sunlight that enters a building – therefore reducing air conditioning and heating costs. Perforated sunshades are carefully placed on the exterior of a building in order to deliver the perfect balance of natural sunlight within a structure. Skilled fabricators can even identify the ideal position for sunshades based on the intensity of the sun in different seasons, and its angle throughout the day.
You can also earn LEED credits by employing perforated metal cladding. Carefully designed cladding panels on the outside of a building control how much sunlight the building absorbs throughout the day. The term “cladding” simply refers to the process of covering a building with perforated panels, for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Besides providing a basis on which to earn LEED credits, cladding also improves a building’s natural insulation, lowering air conditioning and heating costs.
Interior Perforated Panels and LEED Certification
Perforated panels aren’t just beneficial on the outside your building – they also have significant advantages in internal systems, such as window treatments, walls, and ceilings. When used inside a building, perforated panels can promote LEED certification by improving air ventilation and heating performance, while reducing excessive noise in rooms.
Installing perforated panels on the inner walls and ceilings of a building reduces the amount of heating and cooling energy that would otherwise disperse through typical windows and walls (without insulation). The perforated design allows for HVAC airflow to circulate efficiently around a room, while reducing noise pollution in large areas.
When incorporated into entrance areas, perforated panels help to control the amount of pollutants and chemicals that enter a building with the admittance of new people. By limiting the intake of dirt, these panels ensure reduced use of chemicals and cleaning supplies.
Earn LEED Credits with Perforated Panels
Although redesigning an existing building with LEED credits in mind feels like a daunting prospect, perforated panels offer a low-cost and effective way to transform a structure using environmentally friendly design. Because the benefits of energy efficient buildings generally lead to reduced costs in utilities – not to mention higher levels of brand appreciation, and sometimes tax credits – most LEED certified buildings find that their investments return to them in a very short amount of time.
Is your building working towards LEED certification? Start earning your LEED credits today – now is the time to incorporate an eco-friendly design!
