ESCS Lightweight Aggregate Saves Money and Improves the Environment by Providing Durability and Performance
The economic benefits of using ESCS lightweight aggregate have driven the growth of the industry for nearly 100 years to become the material of choice in many applications. These same characteristics also make the material what is now being called “sustainable.” The use of ESCS helps designers, contractors and owners optimize the design, construction and long-term performance of structures.
By definition, Sustainability must be looked at with a long-term perspective. A product that is considered “green” today but lowers the durability and long-term performance of structures is not sustainable. Conversely, when the energy used in production of ESCS is quickly recovered both in first and ongoing life cycle costs, the material is undoubtedly sustainable.
Lightweight aggregate has been successfully used for well over two millennia. It has had widespread use for the past ninety years. This track record of proven performance has demonstrated how lightweight aggregate contributes to sustainable development by conserving energy, lowering transportation requirements, maximizing structural efficiency and increasing the service life of structural concrete, concrete masonry, and asphalt chip seal pavements. The use of lightweight aggregate in site-development assists designers in addressing the important issue of storm water management with onsite retention and treatment. Lightweight Aggregate can help to reduce heat island effects by amending soil to improve landscaping and promoting the use of “green roofs”.
Find out why this 2000-Year-Old Industry found itself on the leading edge of sustainable construction by clicking on the related links.