by Brianna Crandall — December 9, 2016 — Oldcastle Architectural recently announced that its Echelon Trenwyth CMU block and InsulTech wall system has obtained an environmental product declaration (EPD) under ASTM C90 guidelines for load-bearing concrete masonry. Certified by United Laboratories (UL) Environment, these reports can help customers more accurately assess environmental life cycle impacts and select products that may contribute to LEED v4, the revised green building rating program that took effect in November, as well as provide overall assistance with more sustainable designs.
The EPD study defines concrete masonry units (CMUs) as modular architectural concrete blocks commonly used in load-bearing walls of building foundations. This includes the impacts of CMUs from Trenwyth’s multiple products, including: Astra-Glaze SW+, Verastone, Verastone Plus, Trendstone, Trendstone Plus, Mesastone and Split Face as well as the InsulTech wall system. InsulTech is a complete, thermally broken insulated masonry system that offers high thermal efficiency, combining a pre-assembled structural masonry unit, a molded EPS insulation insert, and a Trenwyth veneer exterior face.
InsulTech is a complete, thermally broken insulated masonry system that offers high thermal efficiency, combining a pre-assembled structural masonry unit, a molded EPS insulation insert, and a Trenwyth veneer exterior face.
The scope of the UL-certified EPD study includes raw material sourcing/extraction, transport of raw materials in/manufacturing wastes out, and manufacturing. In accordance with ISO 14025, the EPD relies on life cycle assessment (LCA) to provide information on a number of environmental impacts of products over their life cycle. Designed as a guide, they do not indicate that any environmental or social performance benchmarks are met, and there may be impacts that they do not encompass.
The Trenwyth and InsulTech environmental product declaration (EPD) is listed on the company’s Web site. As an EPD Program Operator, UL Environment helps manufacturers locate existing or create new product category rules and then certifies that all information in a manufacturer’s finished EPD is accurate.
For more information, visit Echelon Masonry, the consolidated brand for all masonry products and services of Oldcastle Architectural including Trenwyth Architectural Masonry, Artisan Masonry Stone Veneers, Quik-Brik Concrete Masonry Units, Amerimix Bagged Goods and a complete portfolio of performance upgrades.
