How Timber Can Help Secure a BREEAM Certification for Your Project
Sustainability and environmental performance are key drivers for project success. As corporate clients and large-scale developers increasingly seek to meet stringent green building standards, timber stands out as a versatile material that can significantly contribute to achieving certifications like BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).
At NORclad, we’re leaders in supplying architectural projects with timber cladding, and in this article, we’ll explore how timber can help secure a BREEAM certification, highlight the role of sustainable sourcing, and discuss why timber is an ideal choice for green building schemes.
What is a BREEAM Certification?
BREEAM is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for master planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings. It provides a comprehensive framework to measure a building’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Buildings need to meet rigorous criteria across various categories to be certified, including:
- Energy efficiency
- Health and well-being
- Pollution
- Materials
- Waste
- Water use
These criteria are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While this certification is not a legal requirement in the UK, securing it allows developers to demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability, which can enhance the marketability, functionality, and longevity of a property.
Find out more ways architects can add value to a house >
The BREEAM certification system evaluates buildings based on a tiered ranking rather than a simple pass/fail approach. Buildings are scored and categorised into six levels of sustainability, from lowest to highest:
- Unclassified
- Pass
- Good
- Very Good
- Excellent
- Outstanding
The assessment uses a credit scoring system across various criteria, with each credit assigned a weight. These weighted credits are aggregated to produce a final score, which determines the building’s certification level.
How to Get a BREEAM Certification
In order to obtain the certification, you will need to follow some steps:
Select the Appropriate BREEAM Scheme
Choose a BREEAM plan based on your project type and stage:
- BREEAM Communities for large-scale projects in the planning phase.
- BREEAM New Construction for design and construction stages.
- BREEAM In-Use for existing buildings.
- BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out for renovation projects.
- BREEAM Infrastructure for civil engineering and infrastructure projects.
Choose a BREEAM Assessor
Appoint a qualified BREEAM assessor trained and approved by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
Conduct a Pre-Assessment
Work with your assessor to understand the criteria and set realistic certification goals. A pre-assessment helps estimate your potential BREEAM rating and identify areas for improvement before the formal assessment.
Register for Assessment
Register your project with the BRE database to access resources and support. Pay the registration fee, which varies based on project size and type.
Prepare and Submit Your Assessment
Collect and compile evidence demonstrating compliance with BREEAM standards. Your assessor will prepare a report to submit to the BRE, which may involve site visits or additional documentation requests.
Receive Your Certification
After review, your assessor will provide your BREEAM score and rating. The BRE will then issue the certification based on your rating category.
Our timber cladding helps projects achieve their target BREAAM rating – get in touch with our team to find out more.
More Options: Understanding LEED Certification
While BREEAM is primarily used in the UK and Europe, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is another global standard, most widely adopted in North America. LEED focuses on similar sustainable building aspects but may have different requirements and processes.
Both certifications highlight the importance of selecting materials like timber that contribute positively to a building’s environmental footprint.
How Does Timber Help Green Building Schemes?
For developers and architects aiming to secure a BREEAM certification, timber presents an opportunity to enhance sustainability, quality, and performance across all aspects of a project.
In fact, timber is not only an aesthetic and durable choice for cladding. By choosing responsibly sourced timber your building project can align with the core principles of green building schemes and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Quality
Timber is a durable and high-quality material, often used for both structural elements and exterior cladding in modern architecture. Its versatility in design means that it can adapt to a range of architectural styles, enhancing both the aesthetic and functional value of a property. BREEAM’s materials section assesses the performance of materials over time, and timber’s resilience and adaptability can significantly contribute to scoring well in this category.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the core of green building schemes, and timber is naturally sustainable when sourced responsibly. Wood has a lower carbon footprint than many other building materials, such as steel or concrete, as it requires less energy to produce and emits less CO2 in its lifecycle. Timber also acts as a carbon sink, storing carbon dioxide and reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Performance
Timber’s thermal properties are another reason it excels in green building schemes. Timber provides natural insulation, reducing the need for additional insulation materials and improving a building’s overall energy efficiency. This can directly impact a building’s energy consumption and operational costs.
At NORclad, we supply a range of timber cladding options that offer not just aesthetic appeal, but high performance in terms of durability, insulation, and weather resistance. Whether you are developing an office complex, retail space, or residential building, timber cladding is a high-performance choice that can help you meet your goals.
Read more about how timber cladding can improve a buildings performance and durability >
Quality Timber Sourcing and Specification from NORclad
Responsible sourcing of timber is a key component in green building certification. BREEAM requires that materials be responsibly sourced, meaning they must be harvested in a way that ensures minimal environmental impact and promotes sustainable forest management practices.
At NORclad, we are committed to sourcing timber from well-managed forests that meet the highest environmental and ethical standards. Our timber is FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified, ensuring that it comes from forests that are managed sustainably. This not only helps in securing BREEAM certification but also supports global efforts to protect ecosystems and biodiversity.
If you are planning a large-scale development and want to ensure it meets the highest environmental standards, we are here to help. Contact us to learn more about our timber cladding solutions and how they can support your BREEAM certification goals.
