Shelf-life
Shelf-life is similar to lifespan, more commonly used for products, particularly consumables that deteriorate over time, such as food stuffs in general or adhesives for example in construction. It refers to a recommended time during which products remain effective, deterioration free, or acceptable, in certain conditions when used or the period of time that products can be stored, unused or shelved before their performance when used will be reduced.
For example the length of time a pot of paint can be stored or how long a battery can retain its charge or ability to be recharged.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accounting.
- Additionality.
- Cost.
- Cost consultant.
- Design economics.
- Design life.
- Discount rate.
- Discounting.
- Hard costs v soft costs.
- Key performance indicators.
- Life cycle.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Life Cycle Costing BG67 2016.
- Lifespan.
- Lifetime cost.
- Net Present Value.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Sustainability quantity surveyor.
- Utilising life cycle costing and life cycle assessment.
- Value management.
- Whole-life value.
Featured articles and news
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.