LEED And The Hardscape Contractor

"Since the beginning of LEED, it has been on a growth trajectory," said Theresa Backhus, sites technical specialist in the LEED department at USGBC. This is true even during a down economy. As such, embracing LEED offers more potential work to the qualified contractor. "If you're looking at the heat island reduction materials versus the storm water materials, you'll be looking at options such as porous pavement (example shown here) or pavement being broken up by landscape."

For the hardscape contractor, Backhus offers suggestions of what hardscape contractors interested in LEED they should be familiar with. "The two most important categories for (the hardscape) industry are sustainable sites and material and resources."

"The most relevant credits for (hardscape) contractors in the sustainable sites category will be Heat Island Reduction," asserted Backhus. "Both Heat Island Reduction"?uRoof and Heat Island Reduction"?uNonroof credits focus on the materials and the placement of the materials both on the hardscape as well as the roof of the building. That includes paving, parking lots, sidewalks – essentially any reflective material other than plants."

Other LEED Options For Contractors

Another opportunity for contractors to obtain LEED points is through the innovation category. "The innovation category is if a contractor uses a strategy on a project and the services or product isn't covered in the other categories it may be covered under the innovation category," Backhus says. "The innovation section gives the opportunity to propose strategies that are innovative. For example, that would work if you have a certain application of material that would provide environmental benefits."

When completing LEED projects contractors must be aware of additional requirements. "Contractors may be asked to track a portion of their work via logs or some other sort of data," Backhus said. "The information will track the products they are using. They may also be asked to work more closely with designers."

Get Involved

Interested contractors should become accredited in several different LEED areas. "Being accredited is helpful to have a better understanding of the requirements, and it is also required to have a LEED AP on projects," said Backhus.

"Whether or not you are a member company or a LEED AP you can get involved with your local chapter," she said. "Your chapter can provide you with a network of professionals already working on LEED projects in your area. It's a great way to get familiar with projects and get familiar with contractors working with LEED."