Green buildings have become increasingly well known and accepted as part of the mainstream of good design around the country. Many design professionals and organizations have contributed to this growth including the US Green Building Council and the LEED® rating system for green buildings. As architects and others delve into the specific ways to achieve superior design and performance in green buildings, one of the key materials that contribute significantly is glass. In particular, knowing how to select glass and glazing that meets the general design needs of the building while also achieving LEED® points has become an important focus for many architects.

This presentation will begin with a review the current LEED® system including the version 3 updates but will then move quickly into the specifics of how glass and glazing selections can contribute to acquiring credit in the areas of improved energy performance, material use, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priorities. Further it will showcase 3 case study examples of selecting and using different types of glass. With this information, architects can select the most appropriate glass products to pursue LEED® certification at all levels.