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Simpson Strong-Tie: Commitment to the Environment and LEED FAQ

Simpson Strong-Tie strongly supports sustainable building practices, such as those established by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, NAHB Green, and state and city specific green building codes. As we learn more about the impact of our actions on the environment, the building industry must continue to adopt practices that reduce the environmental footprint of our built environment at the time of construction and over the structure’s life.

Many of our customers are involved in green building, so we are frequently asked how our products contribute to green building and in particular, how our products can earn credits under LEED® for New Construction and LEED® for Homes Rating System. The following Q&A helps clarify how to use Simpson Strong-Tie products to earn LEED credits. The information may also be used to determine how our products fit in to most other green building systems.

For information about sustainable steel and LEED® and green building with CFS, download LEED with Cold-Formed Steel.

LEED for New Construction

Can Simpson Strong-Tie products contribute to credits under LEED for New Construction?

Yes. Under LEED for New Construction, Simpson Strong-Tie steel and stainless steel products can contribute to MR (Materials and Resources) Credit – Sourcing of Raw Materials. This credit requires a minimum percentage of the value of the building materials to be made from recycled materials.

Simpson Strong-Tie steel products generally use a high percentage of recycled steel as is common with all uses of this material; steel is the most recycled material in the world. However, because Simpson purchases steel from many suppliers around the world, it is difficult to determine with certainty the amount of recycled content in each of our products. Since Simpson gives no specific information on recycled content, LEED allows a blanket assumption of 25% post-consumer recycled content for any steel item.

LEED for Homes

What specific Simpson Strong-Tie products can I use to earn LEED for Homes credits?

There are three ways that Simpson products can contribute to credits under LEED for Homes. A variety of Simpson products can be used in Advanced Framing, as detailed in Table I. Advanced Framing contributes to 3 separate credits as described below.

  • LEED for Homes requires that a home meet Energy Star Version 3. A home built under Energy Star version 3 can use Advanced Framing practices to help achieve the Energy Star label. Specifics on how Advanced Framing contributes to the Energy Star label can be found on the Energy Star website.
  • LEED credit MR (Materials and Resources) Material Efficient Framing can be achieved in part through Advanced Framing techniques.
  • Finally, Simpson products can help the structure meet EA (Energy and Atmosphere) credits Annual Energy Use and Envelope Insulation. Simpson products facilitate Advanced Framing methods as described in Table I below. Simpson products enable the attachment of raised heel trusses, even in areas with high wind uplift. And Simpson products can be used in ICF and SIPS construction.

Simpson Strong-Tie products can be used to earn various LEED credits, as summarized in Table I below.

TABLE I
LEED Category Description Products

Energy & Atmosphere
Annual Energy Use/Envelope
Insulation

Envelope Thermal Efficiency

Drywall Stop
Joist Hangers on Rim Joist
Header Hangers
Tie Plate for Single Top Plates
Steel Strong-Wall

Materials & Resources
Material Efficient Framing

Efficient Material Use

Drywall Stop
Joist Hangers on Rim Joist
Tie Plate for Single Top Plates

Energy Star

Envelope Thermal Efficiency

Drywall Stop
Joist Hangers on Rim Joist
Header Hangers

 

Additional Resources