LEED and TF Concrete Forming Systems
TF Concrete Forming Systems goes beyond the conventional guidelines of being green. Exemplified by our latest design, TransForm, we don't believe in simply meeting LEED ratings but reach beyond them with sensible approaches. The majority of both ThermoForm and TransForm forms are made from recycled materials (in fact, 76.5% of ThermoForm is recycled material by weight), and because most materials used in a TF project are sourced locally, the shipping costs (both environmental and monetary) are greatly reduced. Those materials that do need to be shipped are very lightweight and ship compactly, reducing the project's carbon footprint and our customers' shipping costs.  TF helps you meet LEED guidelines with ease, but we have a much bigger aim: to be at the forefront of technologies in energy efficiency and to lead the industry to a sustainable model.

Learn more about ICF and LEED compatibility

About LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation toward sustainable design. The system is credit-based, allowing projects to earn points for environmentally friendly actions taken during construction and use of a building. LEED was launched in an effort to develop a “consensus-based, market-driven rating system to accelerate the development and implementation of green building practices.” The program is not rigidly structured; not every project must meet identical requirements to qualify.

These LEED products are currently available:

   1.      LEED - v3.0 for New Construction and Major Renovations

   2.      LEED - for Homes

   3.      LEED - for Core and Shell

   4.      LEED – for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance

   5.      LEED – for Commercial Interiors

   6.      LEED - for Schools

   7.      LEED - for Retail

   8.      LEED - for Healthcare

   9.      LEED - for Neighborhood Development (in pilot stage)

Detailed information on the LEED program and project certification process is available from USGBC at http://www.usgbc.org. The program outlines the intent, requirements, technologies, and strategies for meeting each credit. Credits are broken down into individual points. A building requires at least 40 points for certification in LEED-NC v3.0. Silver, gold, and platinum levels are also available.

LEED Certification Levels

How Does TF Forming Systems Help Me Achieve LEED Certification?

Using TF concrete forms can help increase the number of points awarded to a building in the LEED system. The following areas provide suggestions for earning LEED-NC v3 points through the use of TransForm. The credit categories and the credit numbers are those in the LEED rating system. Points must be documented according to LEED procedures in order to be earned. The USGBC website, contains a downloadable “letter template” that greatly simplifies the documentation requirements for LEED v3.0.

Note: please consult with a design professional during the design phase to ensure that all sustainable features you are interested in incorporating are covered under the LEED program.

Energy and Atmosphere
The high performance thermal envelope of ICF construction can offer a significant contribution towards achieving all possible nineteen (19) of the Energy & Atmosphere Optimize Energy Performance points. The energy effectiveness of an ICF wall is due to the unique synergy of continuous insulation, virtually no air infiltration and the added thermal mass of the concrete wall. 

Sustainable Sites
The Sustainable Sites Credit calls for reducing the development footprint and limiting site disturbance to conserve existing natural areas, specifically credits 5.1 & 5.2, “Site Development, Protect or Restore Habitat” and “Site Development, Maximize Open Space.” TransForm construction can reduce impact to a construction site, as the bracing can be erected on the inside of the TransForm wall, with limited construction activity around the perimeter.

Materials Credits

ICFs contribute to the Materials & Resource Credits in three areas: construction waste reduction, recycled content and regional materials.

Credit 2 seeks to reduce construction waste. ICF construction typically factors in only 2–5% waste, much lower than most other wall materials.

Both ThermoForm and TransForm have incorporated recycled content in the plastic rails it uses and the Recycled Content Credit 4 is applicable. Also, the concrete mix used for TF forms can incorporate high percentages of fly-ash, which is 100% pre-consumer waste. The reinforcing steel (rebar) is generally over 80% post-consumer recycled. LEED calculates recycled content by weight. The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine the recycled content value. The values of all the recycled materials used in the building are adjusted for pre- vs. post-consumer and then added together to determine a combined recycled materials percentage of total value.

The Regional Materials MR Credit 5 requires not only the manufacturing, but also the extraction of the material to be within a 500 mile radius. The aggregate in the concrete mix would generally qualify.

Indoor Air Quality Credits
ICF structures can also achieve a high Indoor Environmental Quality. The airtight nature of the ICF concrete wall allows for better control of air flow required by Credit EQ2, Increased Ventilation.

The Environmental Quality Credits 3.2 and 4.1 are concerned with the reduction of pollutants. The EPS foam used in most ICF forms emits no VOCs or formaldehyde, nor does it produce any CFCs or HCFCs during manufacturing. EPS will not generate any off-gassing, as the material is inorganic and inert. The adhesives and low expanding foams used in the ICF assembly are equally non-toxic, as is the concrete mass.

Using TF forms for the building envelope can reduce temperature and humidity variables, and facilitate the maintenance of the
comfort ranges specified for Credit EQ7.1, Thermal Comfort.

Innovation and Design Process Credits
This is provided for projects that have the opportunity to achieve exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Program. This can be achieved in a combination of ways as specified by the LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System. In essence, three different paths are used to determine how a project can achieve all 5 points possible.

With any LEED project, if a LEED Accredited professional is involved in the process, one LEED point is awarded to the project.

Summary of LEED Point System:

Why Use LEED?

LEED is a voluntary program; however, obtaining a LEED certification projects a positive environmental image to the community. Additionally, using many green building practices can result in energy and cost savings over the life of the structure. Other advantages include better indoor air quality and plenty of daylight.

Studies have shown that workers in these environments have increased labor productivity, job retention, and days worked. Students in these environments have higher test scores and lower absenteeism. Retail sales are higher in day lit buildings. Whatever your client may be, LEED buildings can benefit them.

Who Uses LEED?

Many cities and states either provide tax credits or grants for green buildings, or require green building certification for public buildings. The U.S. government is adopting LEED or similar green building standards for the General Services Administration (which owns or leases over 8300 buildings), the U.S. Army, the Department of State, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Numerous states including California, New York, Oregon, and Washington have adopted LEED for public buildings. Many agencies are requiring LEED silver certification as a minimum. Thirteen countries have expressed interest in LEED including China and India; these countries have exceptionally high levels of new building construction. Conditions vary and the list is growing, so please contact local jurisdictions or USGBC for details. Support for green buildings has increased rapidly each year over the last five years.

Why You Should Use TF Forms for Your Next LEED Project

Construction shouldn’t be difficult. It should be simple and without issues. By using TF concrete forms in your next project, it will help you earn LEED Certification without overbuilding and wasting valuable materials while avoiding the challenges and extra steps necessary when using opposing building systems.