Life Cycle Analysis

Life Cycle Study Compares Raised Wood Floors with Slab-on-Grade

The study compared the fossil fuel consumption requirements and greenhouse gas emission levels of the two systems, both based on a 2,500-square-foot single-story residential dwelling located in Atlanta, Georgia. Both cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave comparisons were analyzed. In the cradle-to-grave comparison, the wood floor system measured negative global warming carbon emissions compared to the concrete, with a difference of 18,822 kg of CO2 (the equivalent to annual emissions from 3.7 passenger vehicles), or nearly 180 percent, and significantly less consumption of both total energy and fossil fuel energy.

APA and the Southern Pine Council are promoting raised wood floor construction in the Gulf Coast region as part of the Raised Floor Living campaign. This is being done in partnership with the Binational Softwood Lumber Council. For more information on the LCA study and raised wood floor promotion activities, go to www.apawood.org/raisedwoodfloors or www.raisedfloorliving.com.