Green Foundations: Sustainable Approaches to Pittsburgh Concrete Projects

Concrete is a remarkably versatile building material, but its production leaves a large carbon footprint. Innovative engineering minds are developing alternative composite concretes.

MSR Design’s repurposing of Pittsburgh’s Mill 19 connects new tenants with the site’s history while promoting sustainability.

Energy efficiency projects net cost savings, which can be reinvested into the project.

1. Energy Efficiency

Concrete can be a green building material, especially when it’s engineered to reduce energy consumption. For example, if a home’s foundation is poured with recycled concrete, the new materials have a smaller environmental footprint. Home Page

In addition, concrete’s abrasiveness, elasticity and density make it less susceptible to cracking and shrinkage, which saves homeowners on maintenance costs in the long run. Plus, concrete-poured homes typically have lower utility bills than traditional wood-frame construction.

City officials are also encouraging building owners to take steps to use less energy, such as using cooling systems earlier in the day or turning off air conditioning during hot summer days. This practice, known as demand response, gets building owners paid for reducing their energy usage when it’s most costly to the power company.

Some Pittsburgh building owners have been sharing their energy use data with the city as part of its 2030 District initiative, which requires owners to cut energy use by 30% and reach carbon neutrality ten years later. But as climate scientists increasingly sounded the alarm over the need to cut carbon emissions faster, the goals of the initiative have been adjusted.

2. Water Conservation

In the city of Pittsburgh, where the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers converge, sustainable strategies for commercial concrete restoration are rooted in water conservation. Designed to protect the environment, these eco-friendly projects prioritize water efficiency and environmental sustainability while promoting community engagement.

The goal is to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and increase groundwater retention by redirecting it to rain gardens, bioswales, and rainwater harvesting tanks. With the regular, torrential precipitation of a riverfront region, Pittsburgh residents understand the importance of water conservation.

Pittsburgh leaders also recognize that building green initiatives in commercial spaces can advance global position and bolster economic prosperity. As such, they have prioritized eco-friendly methodologies in their construction sphere and champion the Sustainable Development Goals as a blueprint for the future. Prioritizing these 17 universal aims unites the community and provides a shared framework for planning and advancing Pittsburgh’s sustainability strategy.

3. Reduced Carbon Footprint

The carbon footprint is the volume of greenhouse gases emitted by an activity, measured in units of CO2. Individuals and companies can reduce their own personal and corporate carbon footprints through energy efficiency measures, purchasing renewable energy and using electric vehicles or switching from fossil fuels to natural gas.

Concrete construction requires minimal waste, and excess concrete can be crushed into aggregate and recycled into new structures. Moreover, building with precast panels minimizes construction time on-site and cuts the need for on-site labor.

As ground zero for the environmental Left’s increasingly radical climate agenda, Pennsylvania has an especially critical role to play in thwarting the special interests that fund this movement. Victory for these special interests would spike Americans’ electricity bills and undercut their hard-earned energy independence. Fortunately, local companies are leading the charge for pro-growth policies that champion sustainable commercial concrete in Pittsburgh and across America.

4. Local Materials

Choosing green materials for your home is a great start to sustainability, but ensuring you have a solid foundation is equally important. A well-built basement is critical to a building’s structural integrity, ability to withstand frost upheaval, and moisture resistance.

Using eco-friendly concrete construction techniques like epoxy infusion and concrete suturing not only diminishes a structure’s ecological footprint, but also amplifies its strength and longevity. The result is a more durable and aesthetically-pleasing building that aligns with international ecological goals.

Conventional concrete construction often comes with a hefty environmental toll, from its energy-intensive production process to its reliance on carbon dioxide. Innovative eco-friendly building materials such as Biocement and BubbleDeck technology offer viable substitutes that reduce both a structure’s environmental impact and operational costs. Maple Reinders is proud to use next-gen sustainable methods during every project we undertake, from pouring foundations to constructing custom homes. Learn more about our commitment to the environment by contacting us today.