Guide to Potential LEED-NC 2.2 Credits

This brochure explains in broad terms how commercial fenestration systems from YKK AP can help architects and builders meet key parts of the USGBC’s LEED-NC (New Construction) Version 2.2 rating system. Most of the material here is also applicable to other rating systems, such as LEED-CS (core and shell development), and LEED for Schools rating systems.

Architectural products from YKK AP address three of the five LEED-NC categories of prerequisites and credits: Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

Energy & Atmosphere

EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance(up to 10 points based on total energy savings)
To reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality, YKK AP offers a full line of thermally-broken, energy-efficient glazing systems and operable windows. Many of our systems are also ideal for interior applications to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Our MegaTherm^® systems, which use a unique polymer to join two separate extrusions into one thermally-broken frame, save energy and reduce condensation. ThermaBond Plus^®, our patented pour-and-debridge thermal break, solves dry shrinkage problems common with many competing products. The patent pending ThermaShade^® sunshade system, the industry’s only sunshade with a thermal barrier, helps to reduce solar heat gain and improves the thermal performance of the building envelope.

EA Credits 2.1 - 2.3: On-Site Renewable Energy (1 to 3 points)
Photovoltaic (PV) panels can be glazed into YKK AP products, such as storefronts, window walls and curtain walls.

Materials & Resources

To MR Credits 4.1 (10%) and 4.2 (30%): Recycled Content (1 point each)
To ensure product quality, consistency and integrity, YKK AP produces its own aluminum alloy. Our products contain a minimum 30% by weight of pre-consumer recycled aluminum --- always from internal processes to maintain our high quality.

(It should be noted that no architectural aluminum products, regardless of manufacturer, qualify for local/regional material credits (MR Credits 5.1 and 5.2) under the new LEEDNC 2.2 rating system. All materials or products must have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site. Architectural aluminum's main ingredient is bauxite ore, and there are no bauxite mines in the United States.)

The aluminum content of YKK AP products is recoverable at the end of their useful life. While this does not currently earn LEED points, it further supports best practices in green design.

Indoor Environmental Quality

EQ Credit 6.2: Controllability of Systems (1 point)
YKK AP offers a complete line of operable window and door systems that enable natural ventilation in lieu of comfort controls. Available features include concealed vents, projected windows, single- or double-hung windows, and sliding glass doors.

EQ Credits 8.1 and 8.2: Daylight and Views (1 point each)
Architects can introduce views and available daylight with the complete line of YKK AP architectural aluminum glazing systems --- 13 storefront systems, 12 window wall systems, 12 curtain wall systems, five sliding glass doors, seven entrance door designs, and a slope glaze system.