Roofing Systems and LEED Certification

The latest iteration of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED system, LEED 2009 version 3, has re-weighted credits to prioritize strategies that will have the most effect on addressing climate change by increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

LEED serves as a framework for facility executives to consider ways building systems like the roof can contribute to green initiatives. In North America, 4 billion square feet of commercial roofs is installed annually, according to Tegnos Research. Of that, 75 percent is re-roofing work.

While it isn’t possible to use LEED to certify the roof by itself, several strategies can make the roof do more work than just keeping the floors dry. And while these steps might not be as simple as swapping out light bulbs, their benefits are long-lasting and often hard to dispute.