Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

– Particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels are pressed from sawdust,small chips, and fibers and bound with glue. They can contain low-grade woodand sawmill waste. These are resource-efficient products but should be chosen forlow pollution potential.– Low-density fiberboards made from paper and wood fiber are also resource-efficient.Some are made from 100 percent recycled newsprint, and most processes use noglue. Low density fiberboards are used as acoustic panels, underlayment, and tackboards,among other things. They also can be recycled.– Veneered wood panels, such as oriented strand board with hardwood facing, areresource-efficient choices for interior finishing work. They are used for cabinets andmillwork and can offer wood-grain surfaces while minimizing the use of wood. Ifinstalled for easy removal, these have good reuse potential.– Recycled plastic panels made from consumer-product waste are available for interior usessuch as toilet partitions and functional worktops. These have a good reuse potential.– Some vegetable-oil-based plastics are available in flexible and rigid forms. They canbe colored and filled with minerals, metal shavings, or other plastic waste and woodfiber, giving them a large range of texture and color possibilities. If installed for easyremoval, these have good reuse potential.– Fiber-reinforced cement boards made with recycled fiber are a resource-efficientchoice. These very durable products can be used as substrates for tile and decorativefinishes. In some installations they can have good reuse potential if designed foreasy removal.❑ Health and pollution issues– Engineered wood products made with exterior glue (phenol formaldehyde) have lowformaldehyde emissions. Products stabilized by ammonia treatment or other methodsalso have low emissions. 9High-Pressure LaminatesThese surface materials are made by laminating paper and colorants together withmelamine (phenolic) resin. They are a relatively resource-efficient use of plastics because avery small quantity of materials suffices to produce a durable surface.❑ Resource-efficient options– No manufacturers of high-pressure laminates known at this time offer substantial recycledcontent in their products, although some have made important process improvements,such as waste-to-energy and heat-recovery systems that exceed industry norms.Their products may have a small resource-efficiency advantage over others.❑ Health and pollution issues– Because the dust from cutting these laminates and emissions from glues used forinstallation can be quite significant, work ideally should be performed off thepremises, if possible, and the adhesives chosen for safe handling characteristics. Ifwork is to be performed on site, care should be taken in minimizing the dust andglue emissions. ( See discussion of “Adhesives,” below.)Ceramics and TerrazzoCeramics and terrazzo are not only among the most durable finishes, they also haveextremely low emissions. They do not adsorb odors, are easily cleaned, and resist abrasionand wear. Although they are costly to buy and install, their life-cycle cost is among thelowest of all finishes for some applications because of their long life and the minimalmaintenance they require. The main air-pollution factors in the field are the settingmethod, the grout, and any sealers required to protect unglazed surfaces. Energy use inmanufacturing should also be considered as part of a life-cycle assessment perspective.❑ Resource-efficient options– Using local or regionally manufactured ceramics reduces their high transportationcost.