Impact of building's lifesp on the life cycle assessment

Currently it is common that published LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) studies of buildings differ in the estimates of lifespan of individual building structures. Comparison of various studies with different life spans are complicated, as this parameter has significant impact on the operational (use) phase of the building's life cycle - overall energy consumption, repair and maintenance scenarios. For example estimates of common wooden building's lifespan vary between 30 and 50 years. But in reality there are far older buildings that still serve their original purpose. This paper deals with the influence the building's lifespan has on its overall environmental impacts. Wooden (made of Structural Insulated Panels) single-family house representing common contemporary buildings of this category in Czech Republic is assessed. Service life of the building is set, between 50 and 100 years. Two different repair and maintenance scenarios with variants in 5-year steps are considered.