Low Embodied Energy

Concrete masonry units (CMU), ICPs, segmental retaining wall (SRW), units and Proto-II™ Post Tensioned Masonry are low in embodied energy (EE). Cement, in itself relatively high in EE, is only a fraction of the composition of these materials and systems.

• Concrete masonry contains considerably less Portland cement than poured-in-place concrete or tilt-up concrete. Cmu combined with high-SCM masonry grout can reduce cement consumption by 2.6 lbs per square foot of wall area, on average, for an 8-inch wide concrete masonry wall versus a 6-inch tilt-up wall. (See Concrete Masonry: A Low Carbon Wall.)
• Proto-II™ fence wall designs and portions of retaining wall designs do not require grout and utilize more efficient footings. Thus, their EE is less than conventional designs, and Proto-II™ fence walls are approximately 88% less than vinyl fencing in EE.
• Angelus paving stones have mix designs with recycled aggregates that produce high strengths with optimized cement ratios.
• Our cement supplier has demonstrated leadership in its energy efficiency strategy, earning multiple, successive ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence awards.

Angelus concrete products are considerably lower in EE relative to other materials used for similar construction. For example, steel for studs is very high in EE, and the many layers of additional elements needed for the complete wall — many of which are also very high in EE — compound the energy consumption. Wood's EE is less than steel, but still requires multiple layers of EE-intensive components to create the overall structure.