The U.S. Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System as a nationally recognized standard that promotes the design and construction of high-performance “green” buildings.
LEED Certification recognizes and rewards builders for meeting the highest performance standards, and LEED-Certified buildings are environmentally responsible, healthy places to live and work. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), CertainTeed supports the LEED design and construction program.
LEED for Homes
LEED for Homes is a standard for the design and construction of high performance “green” homes. A green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. The benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. In addition, a LEED rating can give homeowners confidence that their home is durable, healthy, and environmentally friendly.
Before a home can be LEED Certified, it must meet the standards set by the USGBC. Individual products are not LEED Certified, but choosing environmentally responsible products can contribute to the overall LEED points gained on a project. LEED Certification standards for homes include:
| Category | Points* |
| Location and
Linkages. Sustainable Site Water Efficiency Indoor Environmental Quality Materials and Resources. Energy and Atmosphere Homeowner Awareness. Innovation and Design Process. Total Possible Points |
10 |
| *Based on LEED H, Version 1.11a, January 2007 | |
Vinyl and Polymer Building Products
How can vinyl and polymer building products contribute to earning LEED points?
Environmentally Preferable—Vinyl and polymer building products are preferable to alternative products because they have less effect on human health and the environment when compared to wood, stucco, and brick. This Environmental and Economic Sustainability encompasses the life cycle of the products, from raw materials to manufacturing, use, recycling, and waste management. In addition, unlike wood and fiber cement, you can clean vinyl siding, polymer siding, and trim with a mild soap and water, thus eliminating the environmental impact associated with some paints and cleaning products.
Unlike brick, stucco and many other building products, vinyl and polymer products can also be recycled at the end of their life to create new products. CertainTeed is leading an initiative to take back post-consumer siding from builders and manufactured housing plants to be recycled into new products. We are working to develop an efficient process to close the loop and develop a cradle-to-cradle system that will reduce landfill waste, save
resources,
and reduce the overall carbon footprint of our operations and products.
Siding and trim products can contribute to achieving points as environmentally
preferable products in the LEED for Homes (H) and LEED for New Construction
(NC) standards for recycled content and local materials.
• Recycled Content—Using materials that contain
recycled materials can earn up to 2 points under LEED NC 2.2 and 0.5 points
for LEED H. CertainTeed vinyl siding, polymer siding, and trim are typically
made using
some recycled products, and some of our products contain as much as 80%
recycled material. Using recycled material protects our environment by
finding a use for material that would otherwise be landfilled.
• Energy Efficiency—When they are installed
properly, vinyl siding and polymer siding create an efficient building
envelope that does not conduct heat or cold. Some products—like
our CedarBoards® Insulated siding—can actually increase the
R-value of the building envelope, which reduces energy consumption and
related CO2 emissions and can contribute to ENERGY STAR certification
of your building.
• Durability—Exterior walls, window frames,
soffit, and trim that will not rot, peel, or warp can contribute to achieving
points for Quality Management of Durability requirements for LEED H. Unlike
wood, vinyl siding, polymer siding, and trim do not absorb water and are
not subject to insect damage; they do not pit, rust, or corrode, and they
never need painting. Most of our vinyl and polymer siding is warranted
for the lifetime of the original owner, with the warranty transferable
to a new homeowner for as much as 50 years from the date of installation.
Vinyl siding, polymer siding, and PVC trim require less maintenance than
wood and fiber cement.
• Local Sources—Using materials that have
been extracted, processed, and manufactured within 500 miles of a home
or commercial building can earn up to 2 points for LEED NC 2.2 and 0.5
points for LEED H. Our Restoration Millwork™ products are shipped
from our manufacturing facility in Georgia, which will contribute LEED
points for projects within 500 miles of this facility (see map).
Installing Restoration Millwork Trim on projects
located within 500 miles of our Social Circle, GA, plant can earn LEED
points for Regional and Local Materials.
For
More Information
For complete details on the LEED rating system and certification
process, contact your LEED professional or visit www.usgbc.org/LEED.