An existing home in a gut rehab LEED for Homes project reclaims all of the original framing. An addition is built with 90% FSC-certified wood. Which…

The LEED for Homes Materials and Resources (MR) credit for Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) is specifically designed to reward the use of materials with certain environmental attributes. The project's actions align directly with two pathways for this credit. Reclaiming the original framing qualifies as using "salvaged" or "reused" materials. Building the addition with 90% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood qualifies under the "certified wood" category. Both of these strategies contribute points toward earning the EPP credit.

A. Construction Waste Management focuses on diverting construction and demolition debris from landfills, measured as a percentage of total waste, not on the attributes of the materials installed.

B. A credit will be awarded because the use of reclaimed framing and FSC-certified wood are primary strategies explicitly recognized and rewarded under the Environmentally Preferable Products credit.

C. Material-Efficient Framing rewards the implementation of advanced framing techniques (e.g., 24-inch on-center spacing) to reduce the total quantity of framing material used, not the source or type of material.

1. U.S. Green Building Council. (2008). LEED for Homes Rating System. Page 81, MR Credit 2: Environmentally Preferable Products. This section details the requirements and points available for using materials such as FSC-certified wood (MR 2.2, Option B) and reclaimed/salvaged materials (MR 2.2, Option C).

2. U.S. Green Building Council. (2008). LEED for Homes Rating System. Page 77, MR Credit 1: Material-Efficient Framing. This credit description confirms that points are awarded for design and construction techniques that reduce the quantity of framing, not for the material's origin.

3. U.S. Green Building Council. (2008). LEED for Homes Rating System. Page 87, MR Credit 3: Construction Waste Management. This section outlines the requirements for creating a waste management plan and diverting waste from landfills, which is distinct from selecting environmentally preferable products.