MaterialSpaceDetails - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool

Design Guidance

Overall Strategies

Doors in a sustainable workplace should be insulated to prevent loss of conditioned air. Exterior doors in a sustainable workplace should be insulated and weather resistant to prevent loss of conditioned air while interior doors should be made from recycled or renewable resources. Consider using glass or treated glass for doors as they facilitate collaboration and permit the transmission of daylight. Avoid doors with added urea-formaldehyde as this is a common source of the indoor air pollutant.

Best Practices

Consider doors that are made of recycled content or are recyclable at the end of their lives.
Wood doors can be certified to prove the material was harvested in a responsible way.
Consider door finishes such as paints and stains that are low in VOC content.
Consider composite wood doors with no added urea-formaldehyde and door finishes such as paints and stains that are low in VOC content.
Use glass or treated glass doors where possible to permit the transmission of light.

Compare Door System Options

- Composite Wood
- Alternative Bio-based Composite
- Solid Wood
- Metal
- Glass

EB = Existing BuildingsNC = New Construction and Major Renovation

Federal Requirements

Guiding Principles

Materials - Recycled Content ( Guiding Principles criteria 5.1)

Section: Guiding Principles 5:  Reduce the Environmental Impact of Materials

“Use products that meet or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recycled content recommendations for building construction, modifications, operations, and maintenance, where applicable and as required by statute.”

See the Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) for recycled content recommendations by product type.
US EPA | Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines
Products ( Guiding Principles criteria 5.3)

Section: Guiding Principle 5:  Reduce the Environmental Impact of Materials

“Procure and utilize construction materials and building supplies that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment over their life cycle when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose.”

See the Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) for federal requirements by product type.
Whole Building Design Guide | Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers
EPA Greener Products and Services
2018 IgCC Section 901
Daylighting and Lighting Controls ( Guiding Principles criteria 4.2)

Section: Guiding Principle 4: Enhance the Indoor Environment

“Maximize opportunities for and benefits of daylighting in regularly occupied space to introduce daylight and views into the spaces, reinforce circadian rhythms, and reduce the use of electrical lighting. Ensure appropriate lighting controls and task lighting.”

2018 IgCC Section 801

Door System

Design Guidance

Overall Strategies

Best Practices

Compare Door System Options

Federal Requirements

Guiding Principles

Materials - Recycled Content ( Guiding Principles criteria 5.1)

Products ( <span>Guiding Principles criteria 5.3</span>)

Daylighting and Lighting Controls ( <span>Guiding Principles criteria 4.2</span>)