7 products for 2025 that align with LEED v5 themes

View picks for innovative products and materials that help meet LEED v5 goals.

Green building teams have much to consider as they design and build projects. Among these considerations are the materials and products used, and how these contribute to creating a cleaner planet.

LEED v5, first introduced at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in 2023 and now readying for launch this spring, advances green building through many avenues, including products that teams select. In the current draft of the LEED v5 rating system, the Materials and Resources (MR) category includes credits that award points based on the products used, including the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization (BPDO) credit and the Reduce Embodied Carbon credit.

Among other considerations, LEED v5 values low-embodied-carbon structure, enclosure and hardscape materials within the Reduce Embodied Carbon credit, as well as finish products that have multiple positive environmental attributes ("multi-attributes") within the BPDO credit. The terminology used for selecting products is also aligned with industry momentum to further speed up adoption and action on responsible material choices. Using these three themes to guide product selection can help projects achieve LEED certification.

LEED v5: Three themes for products

Embodied carbon

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released throughout a product's life, from harvesting and manufacturing to final disposal. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, manufacturing construction products accounts for 15% of global yearly GHG emissions. Minimizing embodied carbon is key to mitigating climate change. Certain materials like concrete and cement, glass, asphalt mix, and steel are particularly high emitters of GHGs.

To address these concerns when designing a building, teams can select alternative materials, from low-carbon cement options to plant-based products. Trees and other plants are not only renewable resources, but also store carbon throughout their life cycle-including after harvest and even at a microscopic level.

Multiple attributes

The intent of the BPDO credit is "to reward project teams for selecting products from manufacturers who have disclosed sustainability information about their products and optimized their products across multiple criteria areas."

Multi-attribute products create a positive impact on the environment in more than one way. For example, under the BPDO credit, a project team might choose a product that was produced from recycled content, has an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) available and is certified under Green Seal or produced in a factory that is TRUE-certified. By choosing products with multiple environmentally friendly characteristics, teams can increase their projects' impact.

Industry alignment

Language about green building products can vary by region, group and individual, but the Common Materials Framework (CMF) is an attempt to standardize the language used. Establishing a common language about product standards helps ensure alignment across the industry.

In LEED v5, USGBC aligned criteria areas for the BPDO credit with the impact areas defined by CMF. These are:

• Climate health
• Human health
• Ecosystem health
• Social health and equity
• The circular economy

The BPDO credit requires demonstrated success in at least one of these areas. By aligning these areas, USGBC's goal is to contribute to the broader industry effort to create a common language for product optimization and communication.

The seven products outlined in this article can help contribute to LEED v5's product credits by meeting criteria that benefit climate health and address other multi-attribute goals, but the product selections are representative and based on the author's own research. USGBC does not endorse products.

Plant-based products

Products were selected for this article based in part on alignment with the above three themes. The plant-based products below contribute to climate health and the circular economy.

TimberHP TimberBatt

TimberBatt is a high-performance, press-fit cavity insulation for use in residential and light-commercial construction. TimberBatt manufacturing starts with wood chips left over from lumber production and sustainable forestry operations. This abundant, renewable feedstock is steamed, mechanically refined and then blended with borate to create wall, floor and ceiling insulation that resists mold and guards against fire (ASTM E84 Class A). With its high density, TimberBatt performs well in both thermal and acoustic applications. Its R-value of 4+ per inch combined with high heat capacity and low thermal conductivity make it an insulation fit for all seasons. In addition, TimberBatt's vapor-open and hygroscopic characteristics work to manage humidity in the built environment. It can contribute to the creation of healthy indoor air while supporting resilient wood frame assemblies. It is also free of itchy fibers, safe to handle and install, and easy to cut and detail.

Left: Photo courtesy of TimberHP. Right: Photo courtesy of Lingrove, Inc.

Lingrove ekoa

Lingrove's high-performance composite ekoa is made from carbon-negative plant fibers. Its eco-veneers are made from fast-growing, sustainable plants, such as flax, and natural resins. The product can be used to replace wood, laminates and plastics in most interior construction applications, but is most often specified as wall protection, with the material available in a wide range of colors. Using renewable, nonwood products like ekoa instead of hardwoods helps to protect tropical forest resources. With these sustainable eco-veneers, projects can obtain a natural look while being created from a plant that is harvested every 90 days, instead of every 90 years, as would be a hardwood tree.

Cement replacements

Concrete, composed of cement, aggregate and water, is known to be particularly hard on the planet. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is made by burning limestone in a kiln, which creates a large portion of the GHG emissions released by concrete production. One solution to concrete's impact on the planet is to use low- or zero-carbon cement. The use of such products promotes climate health, and local manufacturing lowers transportation costs.

Terra CO2 OPUS ZERO

Photo courtesy of Terra CO2.

Terra CO2's OPUS ZERO fully replaces OPC in concrete by using Earth's most abundant silicate-based geological materials instead. It was developed as a sustainable alternative that does not compromise performance. By design, the materials selected for OPUS ZERO are CO2-neutral, effectively sidestepping the emissions associated with traditional cement made from limestone. Its production uses the same Terra standard plant used for the production of Terra's supplementary cementitious materials, which is under agreements to be deployed across the U.S. by various construction materials companies and seamlessly integrates with current infrastructure. Additionally, OPUS ZERO cement efficiently reduces carbon emissions by using just one-fifth of the calcium equivalent of conventional cements, further enhancing its environmental benefits and demonstrating a commitment to full decarbonization from source to deployment. Tests of OPUS ZERO are ongoing, with Terra working to prove out long-term durability, compatibility of OPUS ZERO with industry norms and procedures (mixing equipment, trucks, pumping, etc.), and practical control methods to adjust set time and other factors.

Products with recycled content

Products produced from recycled content promote the circular economy while reducing carbon emissions and limiting waste. Many such products have additional attributes, such as EPDs and HPDs, that contribute to LEED v5 credits.

Nu-Wool INSULDRI foundation insulation and drainage board

INSULDRI is a foundation and insulation drainage board made of recycled PET carpet fibers. It is designed to easily bend and adapt to various construction requirements, making it a versatile material. It uses thermal binding technology to provide the durability required for below-grade applications and includes 70% postindustrial recycled PET carpet fibers. PET fibers are melted and then cooled to provide bondability within INSULDRI and will not wash out, leach or degrade over time with exposure to water or other elements. This durability also helps in the installation and backfill process to ensure the product keeps the same structure after completing the job. INSULDRI drains quickly, preventing the material from being waterlogged. In addition, INSULDRI is engineered to be gentle on skin for hassle-free installation. For every square foot of INSULDRI produced, one pound of carpet waste is kept from going to landfill.

Left: Photo courtesy of Nu-Wool Co., LLC. Right: Photo courtesy of Armstrong World Industries.

Armstrong World Industries Ultima Low Embodied Carbon ceiling panels

Armstrong World Industries' mineral-fiber, acoustical Ultima Low Embodied Carbon (Ultima LEC) ceiling panels are USDA-verified 100% biobased content. Compared to standard Armstrong Ultima ceiling panels, Ultima LEC delivers a 43% reduction in embodied carbon by using new technology, including sustainably sourced, wood-generated biochar. In addition, they are made from 54% recycled content and can be recycled through the Armstrong Ceilings Recycling Program at end of their useful life. Ultima LEC ceiling panels provide a combination of sound absorption and sound blocking in one panel (0.75 NRC and 35 CAC). The fine-textured panels have a durable, washable, impact- and scratch-resistant finish, offering a surface that can be disinfected and that is mold- and mildew-resistant. Ultima LEC ceiling panels are made from 54% recycled content and can be recycled through the Armstrong Ceilings Recycling Program at the end of their useful life.

Energy-saving products

Building products with multiple attributes can also be rewarded in several credit categories in LEED. For example, a water-saving fixture that helps meet Water Efficiency (WE) credits can also have an EPD and an ingredient disclosure label, and can be manufactured with zero waste. Energy-saving products contribute to Energy and Atmosphere (EA) credits. When chosen together, building products can have maximum synergies with the BPDO and Reduce Embodied Carbon credits, as well as EA, WE and other categories.

Tracking and automating the use of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, building lights, and other utilities can help minimize emissions. Systems that can be retrofitted into older buildings are useful in preventing major building renovations, which in turn prevents the carbon emissions associated with construction and demolition activities.

Advanced Architectural Products GreenGirt CMH XO

GreenGirt CMH XO is a new composite metal hybrid subframing system from Advanced Architectural Products that is used to provide the necessary structural support and thermal breaks by bringing windows into alignment with the thermal plane of a building's continuous insulation. GreenGirt CMH XO addresses the significant thermal loss at window openings by eliminating through-wall metal, through-insulation fasteners, conductive metal angles and inefficient wood-blocking. The product is meticulously crafted to accommodate a wide range of window types, ensuring seamless integration and thermal performance. It was engineered and designed to structurally excel in commercial construction applications for punched openings, storefronts, curtain walls and ribbon windows. The GreenGirt CMH XO not only provides formidable structural support, but also assists in meeting the ASHRAE 90.1 energy efficiency standards. It has an EPD, a Declare label and incorporates post-consumer recycled content. Whether used for new builds or retrofits, the GreenGirt CMH XO offers durability and sustainability while enhancing the overall health of the building's performance.

Left: Photo courtesy of Advanced Architectural Products. Right: Photo courtesy of BubblyNet.

BubblyNet microchip building management system

BubblyNet's paperclip-sized microchips are designed to be retrofitted into older buildings, allowing these structures to be updated with modern smart systems without extensive rewiring or infrastructure changes. The microchips create a system that connects electrical devices wirelessly using Bluetooth mesh technology. The lightweight microchips can track and control multiple building functions, including lighting, shades, internal air quality and acoustics through sound masking. This not only enhances sustainability, but also delivers operational efficiencies. In large-scale projects, the ability to upgrade existing infrastructure without substantial physical changes can lead to a smaller environmental footprint and cost savings. BubblyNet's system intelligence is decentralized, with data processing occurring locally on devices in the building rather than in a centralized cloud. This reduces energy consumption and keeps sensitive data more secure, as it's processed on-site rather than being sent to the cloud. The decentralized nature of the system adds a layer of resilience, making it less vulnerable to widespread failures.

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