Sustainable Operable Wall Solutions
Sustainable building practices have advanced significantly since the United States Green Building Council was first formed in 1993. With an ever-increasing emphasis on ESG factors, USGBC’s “doing well by doing good” philosophy is even more relevant in 2022.
The buildings designed and built today will have a lasting impact on our world. That is why both Modernfold and Skyfold include sustainability as a cornerstone of their corporate strategies, promoting sustainable development through environmentally friendly, innovative products and manufacturing processes.
Sustainable products and processes
Modernfold practices environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and pays attention to energy consumption and what they send back into the environment.
Environmentally friendly components that are used in Modernfold products include:
- 100% recycled gypsum
- 100% NAUF MDF board
- Water-based adhesives
- HAPS (Hazardous Air Pollutants) Free Paint
Modernfold products have been documented as 70% recyclable at the end of life.
Modernfold also strives to recycle, reuse or salvage scrap and materials used in the manufacturing process, including:
- Recycling steel and aluminum chips
- Recycling wood pallets into mulch
- Capturing and reusing oils captured and reused
- Recycling cardboard
- Recycling newsprint, magazines, and office paper
Skyfold uses up to 97% recycled materials to construct their vertical retractable walls.
LEED®ing the Way
As members of USGBC, Modernfold and Skyfold support USGBC’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) initiative, a voluntary standard for sustainable, high-performance buildings. LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
Modernfold and Skyfold products contribute to credits in several LEED categories. The categories include recycled content, regional materials, rapidly renewable materials, certified wood, low-emitting materials (adhesives and sealants), daylighting and views, and innovation/design (acoustic performance).
As you incorporate operable walls in your plans, ask what LEED credits you may qualify for.
Measuring Environmental Footprint
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) summarize a product’s environmental performance based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a scientific process that examines the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life, from raw material extraction, through processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, repair/maintenance, to end of life (disposal and recycling). EPDs and HPDs are available for Modernfold and Skyfold products to assist architects in calculating a building’s environmental footprint.
Access Modernfold EPDs and HPDs
As you begin work on your next project, ask us how Modernfold and Skyfold operable walls can help contribute to your sustainable building practices and high-performance designs.
