PolySteel is one of the most environmentally responsible building materials you can use. From the initial manufacturing process through decades of energy-saving performance, PolySteel forms provide a variety of benefits to our environment.

Conserves Lumber & Natural Resources No CFCs or HCFCs Saves Energy Recyclable Partnership with Engergy Star Achieve LEED Certification

 

 

 

The structural strength of PolySteel buildings comes from reinforced concrete, a product of the combination of Portland cement, sand and gravel, which the Earth has in abundant supply. Concrete construction directly reduces the use of lumber for building, thereby helping to save the world's forests.

The super energy efficiency of PolySteel structures minimizes the amount of fuel burned for heat, saving our oil and gas reserves and reducing air pollution and the "greenhouse effect", the cause of global warming.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) products DO NOT USE CFC's in their manufacture. EPS is easily recognized by its unique appearance — thousands of tiny white beads fused tightly together, as found in
American PolySteel forms.

When (Chlorofluorocarbons) are used during the manufacturing process the release of those CFC's has been linked to the destruction of the Earth's protective ozone layer and an increased incidence of skin cancer (see below). PolySteel forms do not contain HCFC, formaldehyde, asbestos, or fiberglass.

The Ozone Layer
Scientists studying the Earth's atmosphere believe that the ozone layer which shields us from the sun's ultraviolet radiation is being destroyed by CFC blowing agents. Unfortunately, many extruded polystyrene products use CFC's in their manufacture. It can be recognized by its fibrous appearance and is found in:

Extruded polystyrene insulation products which are usually colored to differentiate them from other rigid insulation. "Blue Board" and "Pink Board" are examples of this type of product.   Extruded polystyrene disposable containers (e.g., drinking cups, hamburger cases.   Packaging filler materials, such as foam "peanuts".

The superior insulation of PolySteel insulating concrete forms, tighter construction, and solid mass of the resulting concrete walls conserve cooling and heating energy much better than traditional wood-frame homes, reducing monthly fuel bills and allowing for use of smaller sized heating and cooling units.

According to research by the Portland Cement Association, houses built with insulating concrete forms (ICFs) require an estimated 32% less energy to cool and 44% less energy to heat than comparable wood-frame houses. And the bigger the house, the bigger the savings.

In 1992 the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) began forging partnerships with manufacturers, retailers, utilities and energy-efficient technologies. American PolySteel is proud to be a partner in this program as the manufacturer of a super-energy efficient insulation product, and our PolySteel forms are labeled with the ENERGY STAR® logo, along with our own. We have long recognized the environmental benefits of building energy efficient homes and we are proud to label our Forms with this sign of federal recognition.

For more information on this program, contact your PolySteel distributor or the EPA at 1-888-STAR-YES.
 

Although PolySteel insulating concrete forms produce very little construction waste the excess material that does result from construction is 100% recyclable. PolySteel forms are also made from recycled products.

LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the only nationally recognized green building rating system and evaluates the performance of buildings from a “whole building” perspective. It provides project developers a checklist of criteria by which a building can be judged in six categories, including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation & Design. The largest point-generating category is Energy & Atmosphere. There are four possible ratings: LEED Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. A gold-rated building is estimated to have reduced its environmental impact by 50% compared with an equivalent conventional building.

The minimum number of points needed for certification is 26. Using PolySteel can help achieve up to 20 LEED points depending upon the nature and scope of the construction project.

 

 

American PolySteel has a LEED Accredited Professional on staff who is prepared to answer your questions about achieving LEED Certification.
 

Pacific PolySteel, LLC 1-671-483 POLY (7659)

Pacific PolySteel