NCMA on Sustainability
From the early days of concrete masonry, right up to the present, those who understood the energy efficiency, durability, and natural aesthetics of concrete masonry have realized that it doesn't take special efforts to make concrete masonry environmentally friendly…it is a natural building material with unparalleled environmental qualities.
Concrete masonry producers are eager to demonstrate how these qualities can contribute to practical designs, enduring structures and environmental responsibility. Sustainability is about building the quality of life for now and future generations. This concept includes improving occupant well-being, mitigating environmental impacts, and providing reasonable economic returns on investment.
Using green building practices can result in energy and cost savings over the life of the structure. Occupants of green buildings enjoy improved indoor air quality and day-lit spaces, improved health, comfort and productivity.
Sustainable Sites:
Concrete landscape products:
- Do not require large equipment for delivery or placement, nor large staging areas for construction
- Reduce storm-water runoff with permeable concrete pavers
- Support grass or other plant growth in open cell concrete products
- Reduces development footprint through use of comparatively smaller delivery and placement equipment and smaller staging areas for construction
Indoor Environmental Quality:
Concrete masonry:
- Improves indoor air quality by eliminating the need to paint, thus reducing associated volatile organic compounds, when architectural or prefaced concrete masonry units are chosen
- Reduces the potential for mold growth because concrete masonry does not provide a ready food source for mold