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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce heat islands1 to minimize impacts on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats.
Requirements
Option 1
Use roofing materials with a solar reflectance index2 (SRI)equal to or greater than the values in the table below for a minimum of 75% of the roof surface. Roofing materials having a lower SRI value than those listed below may be used if the weighted rooftop SRI average meets the following criteria:|
Area Roof Meeting Minimum SRI ———————————————— Total Roof Area |
x |
SRI of Installed Roof —————————— Required SRI |
≥ |
75% |
|
|
[ |
Area of Roof A |
x |
SRI of Roof A ——————— Required SRI |
] |
+ |
[ |
Area of Roof B |
x |
SRI of Roof B ——————— Required SRI |
] |
+ |
... |
|
Total Roof Area |
|
|
0.75 |
||||||||||||||
|
Roof Type |
Slope |
|
|
Low-sloped roof |
≤ 2:12 |
78 |
|
Steep-sloped roof |
> 2:12 |
29 |
OR
Option 2
Install a vegetated roof that covers at least 50% of the roof area.OR
Option 3
Install high-albedo and vegetated roof surfaces that, in combination, meet the following criteria:|
Area Roof Meeting Minimum SRI ———————————————— 0.75 |
+ |
Area of Vegetated Roof —————————— 0.5 |
≥ |
Total Roof Area |
|
Roof Type |
Slope |
|
|
Low-sloped roof |
≤ 2:12 |
78 |
|
Steep-sloped roof |
> 2:12 |
29 |
SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Documentation toolkit
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
( does not provide premium access to LEEDuser)
Go premium for just $19.95 » Go premium for just $15.95 » Firm or campus members – click here »Your 15-day free trial expired on
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce heat islands1 to minimize impacts on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats.
Requirements
Option 1
Use roofing materials with a solar reflectance index2 (SRI)equal to or greater than the values in the table below for a minimum of 75% of the roof surface. Roofing materials having a lower SRI value than those listed below may be used if the weighted rooftop SRI average meets the following criteria:|
Area Roof Meeting Minimum SRI ———————————————— Total Roof Area |
x |
SRI of Installed Roof —————————— Required SRI |
≥ |
75% |
|
|
[ |
Area of Roof A |
x |
SRI of Roof A ——————— Required SRI |
] |
+ |
[ |
Area of Roof B |
x |
SRI of Roof B ——————— Required SRI |
] |
+ |
... |
|
Total Roof Area |
|
|
0.75 |
||||||||||||||
|
Roof Type |
Slope |
|
|
Low-sloped roof |
≤ 2:12 |
78 |
|
Steep-sloped roof |
> 2:12 |
29 |
OR
Option 2
Install a vegetated roof that covers at least 50% of the roof area.OR
Option 3
Install high-albedo and vegetated roof surfaces that, in combination, meet the following criteria:|
Area Roof Meeting Minimum SRI ———————————————— 0.75 |
+ |
Area of Vegetated Roof —————————— 0.5 |
≥ |
Total Roof Area |
|
Roof Type |
Slope |
|
|
Low-sloped roof |
≤ 2:12 |
78 |
|
Steep-sloped roof |
> 2:12 |
29 |
