LEED Points with Masonry & Hardscape

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: Energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

Concrete masonry and hardscape products contribute to LEED points in several areas. Learn why these products have been, and will continue to be, the green building material of choice.

Sustainable Sites - 26 Possible Points

• Concrete landscape products do not require large equipment for delivery or placement, nor large staging areas for construction.
• Concrete landscape products reduce storm-water runoff with interlocking and permeable concrete pavers.
• Concrete landscape products support grass or other plant growth in open cell concrete products.
• Concrete landscape products permit efficient use of sites by maximizing buildable area.

Energy and Atmosphere - 35 Possible Points

• Concrete masonry provides high thermal mass and specific heat.
• Concrete masonry remains warm or cool long after the heat or air-conditioning has shut off, reducing heating and cooling loads.
• Concrete masonry improves occupant comfort by moderating indoor temperature swings.
• Concrete masonry shifts peak heating and cooling loads to off peak hours.

Materials and Resources - 14 Possible Points

• RCP concrete masonry and hardscape products are made from local raw materials harvested close to manufacturing and construction sites, minimizing fuel consumption for handling and transportation.
• Most RCP concrete masonry units and hardscape products are produced using recycled aggregates. Post Consumer recycled content is verified in ICC-ES SAVE: Evaluation Report VAR-1003.

Indoor Environmental Quality - 10 Possible Points
(Includes: Innovation in Design & Regional Priority Credits)

• Concrete masonry improves indoor air quality by eliminating the need to paint, thus reducing associated volatile organic compounds.
• Concrete masonry reduces the potential for mold growth because it does not provide a food source for mold.