Including the use phase in LCA of floor coverings

The results from two previously published case studies were used to assess the importance of use-related emissions from building materials in a life cycle perspective. The first study was an LCA study of linoleum, vinyl flooring, and solid wood flooring, while the second study examined the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by these floorings. For linoleum and vinyl flooring, the emitted amounts for the use phase are of much the same magnitude as those emitted in the rest of the life cycle, but in the case of solid wood flooring the emissions of the use phase far exceed those of the remaining life cycle. The ranking of the selected floorings in the LCA study did not change when the impact of the use phase was also considered. This study recommends that LCAs should not neglect flooring-related emissions in the use phase when assessing regional and global environmental effects.