Comparative life cycle assessment of prefabricated, wooden, and reinforced concrete houses

This study involves the life cycle assessment of three types of houses, namely light steel frame system prefabricated, wooden, and reinforced concrete, over a 50-year service life. Within the scope of the study, the environmental performances and impacts of these houses are comparatively assessed. Assessments performed using a software based on Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) illustrate emissions arising from building materials and operations across various environmental impact categories. The comparison of the assessments reveals that, in terms of annual total carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per square meter, the most advantageous type of residence is the wooden one. Regarding embedded carbon performances, light steel frame prefabricated house emerges as the most favorable, while reinforced concrete house exhibits the most disadvantageous environmental performance across all impact categories. In order to reduce emissions throughout the life cycle of buildings, it is advisable to prioritize the selection of sustainable, locally sourced building materials and the incorporation of green building technologies and insulation systems.