TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes several credits under theMaterials and Resources (MR)category that encourage sustainable material use, including reclaimed materials and certified wood. The scenario describes a gut rehab project that reclaims all original framing and builds an addition with 90% FSC-certified wood. We need to determine which MR credit applies.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4), theMR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productsrewards the use of materials that have environmentally beneficial attributes, such as reclaimed materials and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)
Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials in the project:
Reused or salvaged materials: Materials that are reclaimed from the same or another project.
FSC-certified wood: Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for sustainable forestry practices.For gut rehab projects, reclaimed framing materials and FSC-certified wood in additions contribute to the percentage of environmentally preferable products.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.
In this case:
Reclaimed framing: The gut rehab reclaims 100% of the original framing, which qualifies as reused or salvaged materials under the credit.
FSC-certified wood: The addition uses 90% FSC-certified wood, which also qualifies as an environmentally preferable product.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system aligns with this approach:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
Projects earn points by using products that are salvaged, recycled, or FSC-certified for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% of the material cost. For renovations, salvaged framing and certified wood in additions are eligible.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
Since the project uses both reclaimed framing (100% of the original) and 90% FSC-certified wood in the addition, it meets the criteria forEnvironmentally Preferable Products, provided the combined material cost meets the 25%, 50%, or 90% thresholds. The high percentage of FSC-certified wood and full reclamation of framing make it likely to achieve at least one point.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Construction Waste Management, p. 164., B. No credit will be awarded: This is incorrect, as the use of reclaimed framing and FSC-certified wood directly contributes to the Environmentally Preferable Products credit., C. Material-Efficient Framing: This credit rewards practices that reduce framing material use, such as advanced framing techniques (e.g., 24-inch on-center stud spacing) or minimizing waste during design. Reclaiming framing or using FSC-certified wood does not address framing efficiency.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Material-Efficient Framing, p. 158., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookconfirms that the exam tests MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a primary resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of this credit., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160., LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits)., LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4)., USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4)., LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming environmentally preferable product criteria., ]
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