Top Trends To Watch In Construction

Top Trends To Watch In Construction

With a greater move towards more energy efficient buildings and housing stock, as well as new technological innovations becoming more mainstream, there’s a lot going on in the UK construction industry at the moment.

Whatever area of construction you work in, it’s important to keep on top of emerging trends so that you don’t get left behind. A recent article for Planning, BIM & Construction (PBC) Today picked out a few of the things you should be aware of.

Sustainability is a big trend across many industries and it’s not leaving the construction sector untouched either.

It’s becoming increasingly important to use sustainable materials in building projects, whether you’re constructing new homes or a high-tech office block. The publication notes that things like reclaimed and recycled materials are a good choice and have a number of benefits besides ticking the eco-friendly box.

Using the likes of repurposed bricks and recycled glass will reduce the carbon emissions associated with a build and will also lower your production costs. Where materials that have been salvaged or recycled aren’t an option, make sure you invest in quality.

You want to choose components that will stand the test of time and won’t need to be repaired or replaced too quickly.

It’s not only the materials that we use in construction that need to be sustainable. If you’re involved in large-scale projects where you’re building or regenerating large areas, the layout should also be sustainable.

That means promoting the likes of cycling and walking as modes of transport rather than sidelining these options in favour of cars. It can also involve building new homes that have the ability to generate their own energy and so are largely self sufficient.

“This can include utilising green technology such as solar panels or roof gardens, or designing spaces where natural light and insulation negate the need for artificial lighting and heating – therefore reducing reliance on electricity,” the news provider stated.

Interesting Engineering recently highlighted some of the top sustainable construction trends identified in the latest World Green Building report. A green roof, for example, reduces heat and water run-off. These roofs are covered in living plants and also provide a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are also being explored by a growing number of places, and could be vital if countries around the world are to reduce their reliance on gas and other fossil fuels.

There are even ways to make the concrete used in the foundations of a building more eco-friendly. A new technique that adds CO2 into the concrete mix enables the gas to turn into a mineral, becoming solid limestone. This has multiple benefits, from creating an incredibly strong building material to acting as a form of carbon capture.

Meanwhile, PBC Today identified another trend to keep an eye on that’s to do with the construction method itself. The publication noted that there’s growing demand for modular construction, which allows buildings to be built onsite much more quickly than with traditional methods.

If you need scaffolding contractors in Lincoln for a big project you’re working on, contact us today.

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