A comparative analysis of the life cycle assessment of traditional and modern timber buildings.

Abstract

Wood has long been used as a primary building material, but with the Industrial Revolution and the spread of multi-story structures, its structural limitations became evident. In the 21st century, engineered timber products have reintroduced wood as a sustainable alternative, offering advantages such as lightness, rapid assembly, and recyclability. At the same time, buildings are responsible for significant environmental impacts, making assessment methods essential. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the most widely used tools for evaluating these impacts across all stages of a building’s life cycle. This study applies LCA to timber construction systems, focusing on both traditional and contemporary approaches. Using the One Click LCA software, a comparative analysis was carried out for a residential building designed with three structural systems: traditional log construction, platform frame construction, and modern cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. The evaluation covered the production, use, and end-of-life phases, considering four impact categories: global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, and ozone depletion. Findings show that the use phase, particularly energy consumption, accounts for the highest environmental impact. However, notable differences were observed in production and end-of-life stages: the log construction system had the lowest overall impacts, while CLT panels showed higher production impacts but offered durability and prefabrication benefits. By comparing these systems within the same LCA framework, the study contributes to the literature by highlighting their relative performance and providing guidance for sustainable timber construction.