Metal Roofing for LEED 2009 Credits

Metal roofing is an often-overlooked product to help (i) attain LEED credits and (ii) produce a more sustainable building.  While the material can’t be used in every circumstance, it does greatly assist when it can.

Specifically Applicable LEED 2009 Credits:

SS 7.2 Heat Island Effect: Roof - High albedo metal roofing can significantly contribute to the 75 requirement of this credit.

MR 4.1/4.2 Recycled Content: 10%/20% - Metal roofing can contain a high percentage of recycled content, assisting in total RC totals.

MR 2.1/2.2 Construction Waste Management: Divert 50%/75% from Disposal - Any excess material is easily recycled, elevating the percentage of recycled construction waste.

MR 5.2/5.2 Regional Materials: 10% / 20% - Properly purchased metal materials assists in the regional materials credit.

MR 1.1 Building Reuse: Maintain Existing Walls, Floors and Roof - Depending on age, it may be possible to reuse the actual roofing material but, given the longer useful life of a properly maintained metal roof vs. a traditional roof, the roof decking may be in better condition.

Other Sustainable Benefits:

There are also some benefits that, while not directly related to LEED, should be considered from a sustainability perspective.  First, length of service.  Metal roofing materials generally also have a longer warranty (up to 50 years) and, again, useful life than a traditional roof system.   Secondly, at the end of this longer useful life, the roofing materials are more easily recycled than traditional materials.  Today, the materials can, in many cases, be hauled off for free.

Special thanks to Adam from GreenIsGlobal.net for the post idea.  Be sure to check out his metal and solar laminate roofing blog.

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