Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Alternative Constructions of a Typical Australian House Design
This LCA study assessed the total energy utilized and emissions generated when building, operating and, ultimately, demolishing a typical Australian, 5-star energy rated home over a 50-year life cycle. It considered five different building methods - from steel-framed, brick veneer on a concrete slab to timber-framed, weatherboard on an elevated timber floor - in three different climate regions; a total of 15 houses.
The results show houses that incorporate most timber in their construction have lower emissions of global warming gases, lower levels of resource depletion, generate less waste on demolition, and have less energy embodied in them over their total lifetime. The increased use of timber is also correlated to greater land and water use, which is to be anticipated for a forestry product.
Reference Number:
PNA147-0809
Findings Report:
PNA147-0809_Research_Report_Comparative-LCA_0.pdf
Construction Type Costing Report:
PNA147-0809_LCA_Cost_Report.pdf
Fact Sheet:
Fact_sheet_LCA_Alternative_Constructions_House_Design.pdf
Video Report:
