Whitepaper
Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Structural Materials in Commercial New Construction
This research quantified the global warming potential (GWP) reduction of using wood and mass timber products in place of more traditional steel and concrete for a typical Vermont commercial building’s structure. The study analyzed the GWP impacts of replacing wood for steel and compared those to the GWP impacts of insulation choices and concrete formulations. Researchers also obtained feedback from building professionals regarding the current state of the Vermont market and potential obstacles to the greater adoption of lower-carbon structural materials.