Embodied energy
(kWh/m2)
Walls
   timber frame, timber weatherboard, plasterboard lining 52
   timber frame, clay brick veneer, plasterboard lining 156
   timber frame, aluminium weatherboard, plasterboard lining 112
   steel frame, clay brick veneer, plasterboard lining 168
   double clay brick, plasterboard lined 252
   cement stabilised rammed earth 104
Floors
   elevated timber floor 81
   110 mm concrete slab on ground 179
   200 mm precast concrete T beam/infill 179
Roofs
   timber frame, concrete tile, plasterboard ceiling 70
   timber frame, terracotta tile, plasterboard ceiling 75
   timber frame, steel sheet, plasterboard ceiling 92
Area
(m2)
× energy density
(kWh/m2)
energy
(kWh)
Floors 100 × 81 = 8100
Roof 75 × 75 = 5600
External walls 75 × 252 = 19 000
Internal walls 75 × 125 = 9400
Total 42 000

Notes and further reading

page no.

322A subsequent more-detailed study commissioned by DEFRA estimated that
the embodied carbon in imports is about 6.2 tons CO2e per person.
Wied-
mann et al. (2008).

Further resources: www.greenbooklive.com has life cycle assessments of building
products.
Some helpful cautions about life-cycle analysis: www.gdrc.org/uem/lca/
life-cycle.html
.
More links: www.epa.gov/ord/NRMRL/lcaccess/resources.htm.

Table H.5. Embodied energy in various walls, floors, and roofs. Sources: [3kmcks], Lawson (1996).
Table H.6. Process energy for making a three-bedroom house.
Figure H.7. Millau Viaduct in France, the highest bridge in the world. Steel and concrete, 2.5 km long and 353 m high.