The green construction industry is moving fast, together with a growing trend for Green Building Rating Tools. There are many different Green building assessment initiatives, with the two most popular - LEED and BREEAM - outlined below.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is changing the way we think about the way buildings and communities are planned, constructed, maintained and operated. Leaders around the world have made LEED the most widely used third-party verification scheme for green buildings, with around 1.85 million square feet of built surface certified daily.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED started back in 1993 in the USA and is now popular not only in North America but worldwide. LEED works for all buildings and covers new, existing, commercial and residential properties, from homes to corporate headquarters, and is concerned with energy, atmosphere, water efficiency, materials, resources and indoor environmental quality.
| LEED provides a point system to rate green building design and construction. The system comprises a possible total of 100 points. In order to be certified applicants need a score higher than 40; for Silver >50, for Gold >60, and for Platinum >80 points or more. |  |
LEED-certified buildings are resource efficient. They use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As an added bonus, they save money.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Certification
BREEAM or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method was initiated in the UK in 1990, where it is now a voluntary initiative in the private sector and compulsory in the public sector. It is the world's leading sustainability assessment method for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings, and addresses a number of lifecycle stages such as New Construction, Refurbishment and In-Use.
Globally there are more than 540,700 BREEAM-certified developments, and almost 2,234,800 buildings registered for assessment since it was first launched in 1990.
Points are awarded in line with sustainable approaches to energy and water use, internal environment, pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology, management processes and the life-cycle of buildings. During the assessment process, each category is sub-divided into a range of issues, which promotes the use of new benchmarks, aims and targets. When a target is reached credits are awarded.
Once the development has been fully assessed a final performance rating is granted, depending on the total number of credits awarded.
| A total of 109 credits are available, for which less than 30 is a Fail; a Good is 45, Very Good 55, Excellent 70 and Outstanding over 85. |  |
Using Green Roof Systems in green buildings earns points in different Green Building Rating Systems.
Photo © by Architect Kristof van Hoof – Zandhoven (B)
Green roof systems installed on different types of buildings can put you on the right track to earning the highest BREEAM / LEED certification rating, with consideration of:
Thermal comfort: Green roofs are a thermal comfort strategy design alternative. Due to a green roof’s cooling effect, and limited sun radiation transfer through the roof there is less heat radiation from the ceiling and air-conditioning can be minimized, which has a positive effect on feel and comfort feel, makes for better productivity for people at work and makes conditions more comfortable for the customer.
Acoustic performance: Systems mitigate indoor ambient noise originating from the roof.
Energy efficiency of green roofs: Systems help reduce operational energy demand, primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions by maintain appropriate temperatures through both the summer and winter seasons.
Sustainable site: Vegetated roofs are open spaces that deliver specific environmental benefits. The presence of green areas has a relaxing psychological effect, helps reduce blood pressure and lowers heart rates.
Heat Island Effect Reduction: Temperatures on the roof can be reduced by up to 45°C, which reduces heat island effect and extends the life of waterproofing (up to 50%).
Stormwater management: Urbanscape products are rainwater control systems that help reduce peak runoff rates on the site.
And much more…
Check how Urbanscape Green Roof Systems contribute to LEED or BREEAM certification and download our Product Data below:
In case of any additional info needed, check our website to see all the green foof benefits or contact us via e-mail urbanscape@knaufinsulation.com.
