The LEED Rating System

The LEED green building certification program encourages the use of sustainable green building and development practices through a rating system that recognizes the implementation of strategies for improving environment and health performance.

LEED is a third-party certification program that measures the design, construction and operation of green buildings. LEED provides a method for building owners and operators to measure the impact of using sustainable products and acceptable development practices to improve a buildings operational performance.

LEED is used by architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, interior designers and government officials to help transform the building’s environment to one of sustainability. LEED in the case of interior wood products provides a method to place a definitive value on utilizing sustainable and renewable wood products in a building’s design and interior furnishings.

By providing a point system for specific product utilization a building owner or operator can earn credits for utilizing specific types of wood components in their construction. A maximum value (credits) to an owner or operator provides recognition of achievement through project certification and accreditation.

Below is listed the point value credit provided for employing certain specific wood products, supplied by Rugby, in the construction of wood cabinets and fixtures. The more environmentally friendly the wood products incorporated in a LEED certified project are, and the more of these products that are used, the higher the overall LEED point value awarded to the building owner or operator will be. And a higher total LEED point value ultimately ensures greater prestige and marketing value for the building’s owners. It goes without saying that NAUF and FSC products provide the highest level of LEED point value to the owner/operator.

Hybrid Green Contribution to LEED Credits

Materials & resources

LEED Credit	Details
MR Credit 4.1: Recycled content 10% (post +1/2 pre-consumer)	Intent: Increases the use of products that incorporate recycled content material Requirements: Sum of recycled content constitutes at least 10% of materials in the project Points: 1 Point
MR Credit 4.2: Recycled content 20% (post +1/2 pre-consumer)	Intent: Increases the use of products that incorporate recycled content material Requirements: Sum of recycled content constitutes at least 20% of materials in the project Points: 1 Point (in addition to MR credit 4.1)
MR 5.1 Credit: Regional Materials 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally	Intent: Improves indoor air quality Requirements: Wood products used shall contain no added urea- formaldehyde resins Points: 1 Point
MR 5.2 Credit: Regional Materials 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally	Intent: Increases the use of materials that are extracted and manufactured within the project region Requirements: A min of 20% of the combined value of building materials or products must be extracted, harvested, or recovered, as well as manufactured within 500 miles of the project Points: 1 Point (in addition to MR credit 5.1)
MR Credit 7.0: Certified Wood FSC-Forest Stewardship / Council	Intent: Encourage Type to enter text environmentally responsible forest management Requirements: Use a minimum of 50% wood based materials and products, which are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), for wood building components Points: 1 Point

Indoor Environmental Quality

LEED Credit	Details
EQ Credit 4.4: Low Emitting Materials	Intent: Improves indoor air quality Requirements: Wood products used shall contain no added urea- formaldehyde resins Points: 1 Point