Construction companies and builders throughout the industry increasingly embrace LEED to achieve better sustainability, better longevity, and various regulatory advantages for their projects.
Designed to improve both efficiency and eco-friendliness in modern building practices, LEED certification encompasses advanced energy modeling, lifecycle assessments, green construction methods, and high-performance materials. Speaking to the latter, LEED-compliant materials undergo rigorous testing and life cycle impact assessments (LCAs) to minimize the amount of embodied carbon that goes into your project.
With the industry seeing a huge increase in green building codes and similar mandates, LEED provides a future-proof framework to keep your project compliant while simultaneously boosting your project’s marketability, risk mitigation, and long-term ROI. Hycrete is the ultimate concrete waterproofing strategy engineered to achieve better sustainability. Our innovative admixtures will extend the life of virtually any structure and allow the post-life concrete to be recycled, all while earning valuable LEED credits for your project.
What Is LEED v4.1?
LEED v4.1 is the latest update to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The program remains focused on increased energy efficiency, material transparency, and occupant health. Two new project types have been added in LEED v4.1 – specifications for “existing” projects and specifications for projects in the “plan and design” phase.
The latest v4.1 revision builds upon LEED v4 by incorporating real-world performance data, streamlining certification processes, and making credits more accessible to a wider range of projects, including existing buildings. LEED now incorporates enhanced carbon reduction strategies, with the inclusion of standards from the STAR Community Rating System and GBCI systems. Essentially, LEED v4.1 is designed to be more flexible, user-friendly, and scalable while remaining aligned with global sustainability goals.
LEED Ratings Explained: Prerequisites, Credits, and Points
LEED Prerequisites – LEED prerequisites set the foundation for your project’s sustainability. Prerequisites set the minimum requirements that a project needs to meet in order to achieve LEED certification. This is before you begin pursuing additional LEED credits to add to your rating.
LEED Credits – LEED credits give builders the freedom to approach sustainability from multiple angles. You can pursue any credit within your chosen rating system that applies to your project type. For example, there are credits for “Construction Activity Pollution Prevention” designed to promote clean building strategies, while the “Integrative Process” credits promote a synergistic approach to project development, planning, and execution.
LEED Points – LEED points are earned via credits, but not prerequisites. The more credits and points your project earns, the higher your rating. In LEED v4.1 there are four levels of certification:
- Certified: 40 – 49 points
- Silver: 50 – 59 points
- Gold: 60 – 79 points
- Platinum: 80+ points
Hycrete Helps Builders Achieve Their LEED Targets
With the continued growth of LEED and sustainability targets throughout the built environment, Hycrete is the best choice for concrete waterproofing and corrosion protection. Guaranteeing long-term protection with no need for an external membrane, Hycrete adds various LEED targets and delivers unmatched performance in the process.
There’s even a specific LEED category for “Low-Emitting Materials” which includes waterproof membranes and any secondary waterproofing methods within the “building exterior” classification. A total of 3 LEED points are possible. It’s just one of the many categories that Hycrete helps you achieve – in addition to better overall sustainability and a higher ROI.
Hycrete: Leading the Way in a LEED-Focused Industry
Hycrete helps you build better and meet your sustainability targets. Backed by more than two decades of experience and thousands of successful projects worldwide, Hycrete has become the first name in sustainable concrete waterproofing for builders seeking LEED certification.
