Life-cycle assessment of the contemporary standardized wall systems

Abstract

Due to the current environmental situation, the reducing of greenhouse gas emission and the saving energy is the phenomenon. The building sector is still growing and more and more energy is needed. Thermal performance of building envelope has been of great importance in the context of existing global warming issues. Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the member states of the European Union. According to the research project Heartland Green Sheets, the recommended criteria for assessments of sustainable buildings materials are low embodied energy, recyclable, use renewable resources, locally or regionally produced, energy efficient, low environmental impact, durable, minimize waste, positive social impact and affordable. The contribution focuses on life-cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability assessment of commonly used wall systems. The multi-criteria analysis of the contemporary wall systems in term of sustainable development is presented in the paper. The contemporary commonly used wall systems are assessed in terms of labour, time and financial demands, energy and environmental performance.