Cost analysis of lightweight membranes in housing at temperate climates

Lightweight materials are more viable to be used on invariably hot or cold climates. However it is possible to use lightweight constructive systems and specifically membranes, even in housing buildings at temperate climate areas, if their properties are well explored, allowing a good environmental performance and cost effectiveness, when compared to conventional solutions. Economic analyses are needed for assessing the life-cycle cost advantages and disadvantages of these new materials relative to conventional materials. Using a lightweight prototype module as reference, four construction solutions are compared in economical aspects: a conventional heavyweight solution with hollow brick, a lightweight conventional solution with LSF technology, a lightweight solution in cross-laminated timber and a proposed lightweight solution with membrane. The research results allow concluding that, for the Portuguese reality, and in a near future, with more consciousness to sustainability issues, these solutions can achieve a great acceptation