Materials & the Code for Sustainable Homes

The rating system

  • Houses are awarded certificates according to a Level 1 through to 6 rating system. Level 6 equates to a 'Zero Carbon House'.
  • Credits are awarded across 9 categories:
    - Energy / CO2
    - Water
    - Materials
    - Surface water run-off
    - Waste
    - Pollution
    - Health and well-being
    - Management
    - Ecology
  • A minimum standard is required for materials (amongst others). This one standard for materials is identical across all Levels. See 'minimum standard' below.

    • Materials categories

  • Credits are awarded for each of three sub-categories:
    1 - The Environmental impact of materials - 15 Credits
    2- The Responsible sourcing of materials - Building Elements - 6 Credits
    3- The Responsible sourcing of materials -Finishing Elements - 3 Credits

    • 1 The Environmental Impact of Materials - 15 Credits

    O Credits (mandatory 'minimum standard)

  • The Code requires a mandatory Green Guide rating of between A+ and D for at least three of the following elements:
    • Roof
    • External walls
    • Internal walls (including party walls and partitions)
    • Upper and Ground Floors (including separating floors)
    • Windows

    1 - 15 achievable Credits

  • Each element can be constructed in many different ways according to different material specifications.
  • Available credits are assessed by a qualified 'Code Assessor'. The assessor uses the 'Code Mat 1 Calculator Tool' to calculate credits based upon drawings and/or specifications detailing the location and area of the elements along with details of materials used withing the elements.
  • Designed elements are matched to those listed in the BRE's 'Green Guide to Speciification''. Each element is rated for its environmental impact from A+ to E. If a designed element does not match a Green Guide element the Assessor will either look for a close match or will refer to the Code Service Provider for a bespoke rating.
  • Credits are awarded according to a Green Guide rating as follows:
    • A+ Rating = 3 credits
    • A   Rating = 2 credits
    • B   Rating = 1 credit
    • C   Rating = 0.5 credits
    • D   Rating = 0.25 credits
    • E   Rating = 0 credits
  • Where there is more than one specification for an element, the credits are awarded for that element, depending on the area weighted Green Guide rating of each specification.


    • 2 Responsible sourcing of materials - Basic Building Elements - 6 Credits

    Basic building elements

  • Up to 6 credits are awarded where 80% of the assessed materials (see below) are responsibly sourced in the following elements:

    a Frame
    b Ground floor
    c Upper floors (including party floors)
    d Roof
    e External walls
    f Internal walls (including party walls)
    g Foundations / substructure (excluding sub-base materials)
    h Staircase

  • In addition, 100% of any timber used in the above elements must be legally sourced. 
  • A minimum number of 5 elements must be assessed

    • Assessed materials

  • The following materials are assesses in the calculation of credits:
    - Brick (including clay tiles and other ceramics)
    - Resin based composites and materials (including Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) and polymeric render)
    - Concrete (including in situ and pre cast concrete, blocks, tiles, mortars, cementitious renders,etc)
    - Glass
    - Plastics and rubbers (including EPDM, TPO, PVC, VET Roofing membranes and polymeric render)
    - Metals (steel, aluminium etc.)
    - Dressed or building stone including slate
    - Timber and wood panel products Cement Bonded Particle Board
    - Plasterboard and plaster
    - Bituminous materials, such as roofing membranes and asphalt
    - Other mineral based materials, including fibre cement and calcium silicate
    - Products with recycled content
  • Insulation materials, fixings, adhesives, and additives are excluded from the assessment.
  • The ratings are determined by the Code Assessor using the 'Code Mat 2 Calculator Tool 'based upon drawings or specifications detailing the location of elemtns and materials specified and details of the materials specified.
  • Where Re - used Materials are specified, documentation will be required staing which particular materials within the development will be from re-used materials.
  • Where Recycled Materials are specified the following documentation will be required:
    - A statement of which elements will include recycled materials
    - A letter of intent to use suppliers who can provide and EMS certificate (or equivalent) for the recyling process.
  • For materials certified through the EMS route, a letter of intent to use suppliers who can provide an EMS certificate (or equivalent) for the key process and/or extraction stages of their product must be provided.
  • Certified timber requires a letter of intent to use suppliers capable of providing certification to the level required for the particular tier claimed. This could be demonstrated by a commitment to use a specific scheme(s) eg FSC certification
  • Where any non certified timber is used, written confirmation from the developer confirming that all timber will come from a 'legal source'.
  • Reused Materials: Documentation that demonstrates that the relevant materials used within the development will be reused materials. This should be in the form of trade information or a letter from the developer.
  • Recycled Materials: Documentation that demonstrates that the relevant materials used within the development will be recycled. Additionally, a letter of intent to use suppliers who can provide an EMS certificate (or equivalent) for the recycling process must be provided.

    • 3 Responsible sourcing of materials - Finishing Elements - 3 Credits

    Finishing elements

  • Up to 3 credits are awarded where 80% of the assessed materials (see below) are responsibly sourced in the following elements:

    a) Stair (including handrails, balustrades, banisters, other guarding/rails, excluding staircase)
    b) Window (including sub-frames, boards, sills)
    c) External & internal door (including sub-frames, frames, linings, door)
    d) Skirting (including architrave, skirting board and rails)
    e) Panelling (including any other trim)
    f) Furniture (including fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom units)
    g) Fascias (soffit boars, bargeboards, gutter boards, others)
    h) Any other significant use

  • In addition, 100% of any timber used in the above elements must be legally sourced. 
  • A minimum number of 5 elements must be assessed

    • Assessed materials

  • Insulation materials, fixings, adhesives, and additives are excluded from the assessment.
  • The ratings are determined by the Code Assessor using the 'Code Mat 3 Calculator Tool 'based upon drawings or specifications detailing the location of elemtns and materials specified and details of the materials specified.
  • Where Re - used Materials are specified, documentation will be required staing which particular materials within the development will be from re-used materials.
  • Where Recycled Materials are specified the following documentation will be required:
    - A statement of which elements will include recycled materials
    - A letter of intent to use suppliers who can provide and EMS certificate (or equivalent) for the recyling process.
  • For materials certified through the EMS route, a letter of intent to use suppliers who can provide an EMS certificate (or equivalent) for the key process and/or extraction stages of their product must be provided.
  • Certified timber requires a letter of intent to use suppliers capable of providing certification to the level required for the particular tier claimed. This could be demonstrated by a commitment to use a specific scheme(s) eg FSC certification
  • Where any non certified timber is used, written confirmation from the developer confirming that all timber will come from a 'legal source'.
  • Reused Materials: Documentation that demonstrates that the relevant materials used within the development will be reused materials. This should be in the form of trade information or a letter from the developer.
  • Recycled Materials: Documentation that demonstrates that the relevant materials used within the development will be recycled. Additionally, a letter of intent to use suppliers who can provide an EMS certificate (or equivalent) for the recycling process must be provided.

    • Downloads

    • Code for Sustainable Homes, Department for Communities and Local Government: February 2008
    • Code for Sustainable Homes - Technical Guide, DCLG: April 2008

    Further information

    • The Green Guide to Specification

     

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