Our residential contractors work hard to provide shelter for America's families. Now we have an awesome opportunity for you, our new ebook that covers the LEED residential contractor credentialing process for free. We'll give you details on how to get your own copy below, but here's a glance at the process and the benefits it can bring your business. Over the past couple decades, people have begun paying more attention to the impact we make on our environment. Because of these changes, our industry has seen a sharp rise in the number of new products and standards.

The most common standard in use is residential LEED certification and LEED AR Homes credentialing for contractors.áTo attain LEED certification, a home or residential building needs to earn points in several areas to show it's been constructed using green technologies and techniques. The LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) program certifies that a contractor has spent time in training or education for sound green-construction techniques, with other requirements as needed.

What are the Benefits of LEED Credentialing?

LEED AP credentialing provides you with the advanced knowledge and tools you need to bid successfully on LEED certified residential construction. By going through the LEED AP credentialing process, you're demonstrating that your work meets a higher standard of care. You are able to provide your clients with better value because they'll have reduced utility costs, tax credits from federal, state and local governments, rebates from utility companies, a healthier home and the knowledge that they're doing their part to save our planet. But building a LEED certified home will provide you with benefits as well. The job will have lower overhead because of lower construction waste and at the same time, you're able to charge a premium because of your knowledge and experience..á

Because you need to maintain your accreditation, LEED AP helps you stay aware of changes to products, techniques and technologies, while staying in demand as a residential contractor for homeowners and developers who want what you have to offer. You can even stay a step ahead of your competitors because you have proven specialty knowledge. LEED AP credentialing also benefits your professional reputation because it shows you are familiar with the entire process instead of simply going through a single certified building. Even if a client requires something outside your particular area, your contacts within the LEED AP program can provide subcontracting services.

How do I Become LEED AP Homes Credentialed?

Residential contractors will want to pursue the specific LEED AP credential Homes, which was designed for professionals involved in home design and construction. You can expect to demonstrate knowledge in a building's efficiency and environmental impact during the initial new construction, as well as expected future energy use. The credentialing process covers several different areas where you must demonstrate either work experience or education.

Though it's not required any longer to become LEED AP Homes credentialed, it's recommended that you work on a project or two before starting the credentialing process. This is because LEED certified buildings often feature specifications that are more exacting than those of conventional building designs. If you want to pass the exam, you'll need to be age 18 or older, score a minimum of 170 points out of 200 on the exam. The exam itself is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic and French.

The part of the process that is the most time-consuming is studying for the exam. Questions are either task questions, which show you have the necessary skill to build a LEED certified home, or knowledge tasks, which demonstrate you are knowledgeable enough to build the required documentation for a certified home.áOur free ebook has many references you'll find helpful for passing LEED AP.

With the many benefits a LEED AP Homes credential can bring to your business, it's time to take the next step. We're proud to offer our free LEED AP Credentialing for Residential Contractors ebook for download - here's our easy-to-use download location.á

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Photo credit: Sam Beebe, Ecotrust / Foter / CC BY Photo credit: james.thompson / Foter / CC BY

When we started our business, we dealt with one thing - wallboard. Though many years have passed since that humble beginning, there's one thing we still know better than any other, and that's gypsum wallboard. But when you're in one of our stores, there are a lot of options available. Made by compressing gypsum between two paper sheets, gypsum wallboard is probably the most commonly-used interior wall facing used today. In this piece, we'll help you sort through the differences and why they're important so that you can pick the perfect drywall panel options for your project.

By Performance:

• Standard drywall is just that - standard. It works for probably 90% of your wallboard applications and has been the solid standard for over 50 years. It goes up quickly, is relatively easy to handle and can be finished with no great hassle. It's not as structurally sound during a fire and can sag in damp areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Water-resistant wallboard, also referred to as greenboard, is good for areas where it may be exposed to water, such as in a bathroom or kitchen. It has waterproofing materials in the core, but still remains breathable so that moisture can dissipate through the wall, helping prevent mold. Because it's intended to be water resistant, it doesn't gain weight from retaining water and sag like standard drywall does.
• Fire-resistant wallboard isn't technically fireproof, but it provides a longer burn-through time, giving you more time to get your family to safety and more time for the firemen to get the blaze under control, which is why it's required between garages and living spaces in most codes. It has fiberglass included in its matrix, so once the heat is on, it won't crumble away and leave your flammable studs exposed. For a little extra protection, go with the 5/8" option.
• Sound-dampening wallboard has additional air spaces built into it, to help dampen the sound from the street, to provide more privacy in bedrooms or to ensure that your son's electric guitar practice doesn't become a public performance.

By Size:

• The most common size of wallboard is 4' by 8', easily fitting the most common wall height and reducing the number of cuts you'll need to make.
• If you're dealing with taller walls, gypsum wallboard is also commonly available in 9', 10' and 12' sections, with special orders available in lengths up to 16'. Why would you want this instead of the standard 8' length? To reduce the number of seams you need to tape and mud.

By Thickness:

• Though it's sometimes used for walls on 16" centers, 3/8" drywall is also commonly used on curved walls, archways and other areas where flexibility is a must. The drywall is flexible enough that it can be bent along the curve and fastened in place, allowing for a world of design possibilities.
• 1/2" drywall is the standard wallboard, used for the great majority of interior walls in construction. It's great on 16" or 24" centers on walls, or on 12" or 16" centers for ceilings. Wider spans on ceilings should be avoided as it may sag under its own weight, giving your project a poor appearance.
• 5/8" drywall is somewhat stiffer than the standard, making it great for ceilings or for wider stud spacing. Because it's a bit heavier, it's less likely to deform or sag under its own weight, so your project will continue looking great for years to come.

Drywall Types and Benefits Overview

Here is a quick video from Andy Davis, Portland, ME Store Manager, discussing the benefits of lightweight drywall vs standard drywall for those who are considering lightweight options for their project.

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By using the appropriate wallboard for the job, you can ensure that your job will go quickly, easily and with great end results. If you are looking for gypsum but need a bit more information before making the final decision download our free product guide: Interior Extreme Gypsum Panel from National Gypsum.

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As the popularity of the LEED certification program becomes more popular and our society becomes more green, some really amazing buildings have been created that convey those values. But even among the many exceptional designs constructed every year, there are a few that go above and beyond to prove that not only is green living economical, but it's beautiful as well. Here are the top ten green buildings constructed in North America in 2015 that made the AIA Committee on the Environment's top ten list:

1. Federal Center South Building 1202 - Seattle, Washington

This 209,000 square foot building for the Army Corps of Engineers had several challenges to overcome. Construction involved a series of tightly-packed fast-track phases, meeting an absolute minimum of LEED Gold Certified requirements and incorporating contractually-bound minimum performance ratings.

2. CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

This LEED Platinum structure provides 174,300 square feet of metallurgical testing and research lab space. The project sought a 70% reduction in energy consumption, very ambitious given the location and sheer square footage of the design. It incorporates in-slab radiant heat, displacement ventilation and solar power to meet the goal.

3. Collaborative Life Sciences Building - Portland, Oregon

With the price of real estate in Portland, maximizing the space in this building was vital to its success as a teaching and research space. It incorporated a brownfield site, reducing the impact to the local environment, and incorporated a roof that significantly reduced stormwater runoff. It's one of only two Platinum-certified structures over half a million square feet in the US.

4. E+ // 226-232 Highland Street Townhouses - Boston, Massachusetts

When it comes to a green living space that has all the amenities of the city, these townhomes provide excellent options. The four townhomes in this project, each at 1,850 square feet and three stories, provide three bedrooms, two and a half baths, easy access to public transportation and an awesome backyard to enjoy.

5. Hughes Warehouse Adaptive Reuse - San Antonio, Texas

This project involved the creative repurposing of an early 20th century plumbing warehouse into studio space. Though there was some challenge in maintaining the open feel of the warehouse and the 18 foot ceilings, a 1,500 square foot courtyard was added to increase green space in the location as well as providing a great opportunity for floor to ceiling windows for excellent daylighting options.

6. Military Medical Hospital - San Antonio, Texas

As one of the nation's top military hospitals, San Antonio's Military Medical Hospital needed a serious addition in space. This 750,000 square foot space delivers that but also provides great green construction. It provides a solar orientation to prevent solar heat gain while incorporating design elements from the existing brick structure without making the space overwhelming.

7. New Orleans BioInnovation Center - New Orleans, Louisiana

As a location for biotech startups, this lab and research center provides easy access to public transportation, the French Quarter, the Treme neighborhood and several downtown college campuses. Careful design provides the same performance at 1/3 the energy of a similar structure.

8. Sweetwater Spectrum Community - Sonoma, California

A community for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the community was designed with the needs of that population in mind. Features were added toáimproving energy efficiency, incorporating a lot of green spaces, acoustic control and thermal comfort to reduce external stimuli that often cause emotional upset for those with the disorder.

9. Tassafaronga Village - Oakland, California

Formerly a 7.5 acre brownfield site with poorly-maintained public housing, the village takes a unique approach to construction, incorporating heavy timber with concrete and steel elements. It adds nearly 180 new residential units for low-income families while maintaining a strong energy-efficient operation.

10. The Bullitt Center - Seattle, Washington

Designed to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge, this 52,000 square foot office building spreads out green construction on six floors. Each design element was carefully considered, using metrics to provide a forecast of future performance while creating a self-sustaining, zero impact building.

11. University Center ? The New School - New York City, New York

Packing 400,000 square feet of studios, academic space and residential living into New York City isn't easy, but the New School does it with grace and amazing efficiency. Thermal energy storage was developed to reduce the impact on the city's power grid while a 13,500 square foot green roof prevents runoff while providing wildlife habitat and green spaces for students and faculty alike.

These amazing buildings have a lot to offer, especially as inspiration for future projects. Are you considering pursuing a LEED Accredited Professional Certification? Sign up today to get our free guide to the LEED AP process or contact us with any questions you have about green products for your next environmentally friendly project.

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Images Courtesy: American Institute of Architects

Though we all enjoy the first nip in the air that tells us the hot summer is over and we can enjoy the beautiful fall weather, it's important to remember that winter is right around the corner. But what do you need to do to get ready? Here are some things you can do now to get the work done during fall's lovely weather instead of dealing with it during the first snowstorm of the season.

11 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Winter

General Considerations

Insulation Inspection

Windows and Doors

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When you need to get an insulation job done, it's easy to turn to the same materials you've always used. But is the same old thing always the right choice for the job? Spray foam insulation has been around for several decades, but is often passed by for batting or blown-in insulation. But when you need specific issues addressed in a project, spray foam can often be the better choice. How do you know which one will be the best choice for your next project? Here is some information to help get you started.

Traditional Insulation

Traditional insulation includes fiberglass and cellulose batting, blankets and blown-in material. It primarily works by creating numerous air pockets within the wall, each of which contributes to the overall performance of the material. In northern climates, to achieve sufficient R-value, or resistance to losing or gaining heat, the wall cavity often must be expanded to provide sufficient insulation using traditional materials to keep a structure at a steady temperature without excessive heating or cooling bills.

If water leaks through the roof, as condensation or through a leaking pipe, traditional insulation materials may begin to degrade. This not only causes poor insulation performance, it can also lead to mold and mildew in cellulose-based insulation if the material is not treated for this issue. If the insulation is in an attic that is accessed, it can be packed down unintentionally, lowering the R-value and the overall efficiency of the material. Cellulose can also settle over time, requiring additional material be added to the top of the existing insulation. This is also a problem in blown-in wall systems, requiring some amount of repair work to the wall once the insulation has been added. However, despite these drawbacks, traditional insulation is also less expensive, making it a popular choice for many building projects.

Spray Foam Insulation

But what about when you need better performance from your insulation? Spray foam delivers up to twice the R-value in the same space, making it a good option when you don't want to build out thick walls or are doing a retrofit and are dealing with thinner wall cavities. It also does an exceptional job of sealing cracks and small gaps, preventing drafts and cold air from entering the structure. Spray foam starts out in a liquid state and sets up within a few hours into a hardened foam, so you don't need to worry about it settling and compromising your wall system's R-value.

Spray foam insulation is more expensive per square foot. It also requires specialized equipment that you may not be able to use on other projects, so unless you're focusing on doing a lot of spraying, other options may work better for your situation.

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