VALLEY FORGE, Pa.—In conjunction with the official launch of LEED v4 at Greenbuild 2013, CertainTeed Corporation has published a Sustainable Products and Systems Guide to help architectural and building professionals easily navigate the updated requirements.

The new guide aligns specific CertainTeed products with points associated with commercial and residential LEED programs. In addition, the guide demonstrates the collective LEED points that can be achieved by incorporating multiple CertainTeed products in green building projects.

“On a practical level, the new Sustainable Products and Systems Guide will save green-building professionals valuable time when selecting and documenting the use of CertainTeed products,” said Aman Desouza, director of innovation and product sustainability at CertainTeed. “From a broader perspective, it shows how our products seamlessly work together to have a real and lasting impact on quality of life and a material difference in the sustainability of our built environment.”
A key highlight of the guide is a detailed diagram that outlines a high-performance building envelope with CertainTeed gypsum board, low-slope roofing, insulation and siding products that have the potential of contributing to significant points for LEED NC, Schools & Healthcare projects. Similar diagrams are also included for LEED for Homes and LEED Canada. 

The CertainTeed portfolio of sustainable products includes industry-first AirRenew® IAQ Gypsum Board, Apollo® photovoltaic roofing, CedarBoards® insulated siding, industry-only MemBrain® Smart Vapor Retarder & Air Barrier and Ecophon® ceiling panels, which offer the highest post-consumer recycled content of any ceiling panels in North America. 

“We are proud to take a leadership role in the movement for greater transparency — a key driver behind LEED v4,” Desouza said. “Transparency around the environmental impacts and health hazards is critical to the overall sustainability of homes and buildings. Additionally, the use of high-performing, innovative building products contributes to the occupant health and wellbeing that ultimately enhances productivity, healing and learning.”

In addition to LEED programs, the guide also includes information on how CertainTeed products contribute to the National Green Building Standard, International Green Construction Code, California Green Construction Code and Green Globes rating system.

Facilitated by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED v4 further advances green-building practices by providing insight into the synergies within the building system, providing solutions for optimizing performance, and ultimately achieving better environmental, economic and social outcomes.

For a copy of the guide, visit www.certainteed.com/buildingresponsibly.