If you’re wondering what’s going to happen in the construction industry this year, you’re not alone. The sheer unpredictability of the industry as a whole invites conjecture so that contractors can more easily stay on top of what’s coming down the road so that they can more successfully operate their businesses. In this post, we’ll discuss the top five construction trends in 2022, giving you the low down on what to expect this year and into the future.
Though new materials are constantly being developed and invented, the pace of innovation brought about by digital transformation is taking the industry through a golden age of materials science. The materials you may expect to see this year or shortly in the future include transparent aluminum to reduce structural weight while improving natural lighting and visibility as well as self-healing and flexible concrete formulations.
Both prefabricated and modular construction are seeing strong growth, partially due to the many benefits that can be realized using these technologies and building methods in construction. These benefits include reduced materials and shipping costs, reduced construction waste, higher overall quality of the finished structure, time reductions up to half of the time of traditional construction methods and reducing costs by up to 20%, causing growth expected to reach $157 billion by next year.
It’s not just fast-food restaurants that are short-handed these days, as labor shortages continue to plague the entire economy. For this reason, retaining good labor and hiring solid new labor is an important part of keeping your projects operating smoothly. Shortages make having skilled labor who can successfully, profitably finish your projects more difficult than ever. However, offering good benefits, training opportunities and competitive wages make the process easier, and robotic assistance is becoming much more of a reality on the construction site.
No longer the purview of computer geeks and engineers, 3D printing has come into its own in the construction industry. Known in commercial production as additive manufacturing, this production method can help you get through some supply chain issues to manufacture everything from replacement parts and components for your project to constructing modular and emergency or basic housing for a wide range of needs. They’re also useful for creating construction models featuring a high level of detail.
Unless you’ve been asleep at the wheel, you’ve probably heard the term digital transformation mentioned as it sweeps through every industry on Earth. It includes AI, machine learning, cloud computing, analytics, Internet of Things, pervasive networking and other technologies that work together to improve safety, efficiency, productivity and profitability on your projects. Newer technologies include robots that can handle bricklaying, cloud-based applications to improve crew communication, seamless workflows and document tracking for your company.
By staying on top of changes and trends in construction, you can more readily discover which technologies you should invest in early and which ones you should avoid to improve profitability. Check out our blog for more construction industry news!
Home design trends changed a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending time indoors and at home changed the perspective of many homeowners and home buyers, especially as the pandemic dragged out over the course of 2 years.
Functional, flexible spaces – spaces that can be used for spending time together with many members of the household – are more important than ever. Meanwhile, grays and neutrals have been replaced by bold, vibrant colors that lift the spirits and create eclectic environments. This makes spending time indoors with family easier on the eyes and easier on the spirit.
Whether you’re a builder of custom homes or a general contractor, you’ll want to keep an eye on these trends and be prepared to talk to your clients about these trends.
Open layouts are almost standard in new construction homes, but rarely found in older homes. Homeowners with homes more than 30 years old now regularly seek open layout conversions during their kitchen/living room and whole house remodels.
Recently, the downsides of open layouts have become apparent. Noise issues and inability to find privacy can be a problem. To combat these problems, hybrid layouts with a little more separation between spaces and more obvious zoning has become a standard request. Homeowners still like large, open spaces, but may seek more walls to provide privacy when it’s needed.
Being at home is best when the space is well-lit. Large windows overlooking open spaces and layered artificial lighting make home interiors more cheerful and attractive.
Lighting upgrades add value to the home while also improving quality of life. Expect to make lighting upgrades, window replacements and window installations that bring more natural light indoors. Homeowners remodeling their existing home will need coaching to help them design a functional, layered lighting system that works with their natural lighting to create an overall attractive home interior.
Many people who started working from home two years ago are back in the office, but a large percentage of the population continues to work from home – and they may keep doing this for years to come.
As this arrangement becomes more permanent, homeowners continue to seek out functional and private work-from-home spaces, including backyard ADUs, over-the-garage apartments and backyard additions. General contractors can expect to work with homeowners to create work from home spaces.
Gray and white were the preferred colors in home interiors for years. Today, homeowners want to see more color in their interior spaces. Bold colors like deep blues, sage greens, pops of red and teal are making their way into home interiors. To accommodate this new interest in bolder colors, some builders and remodelers can improve their customer service by offering color consultations.
Ultimately, COVID-19 has changed home design trends in clear ways. Builders and remodelers who gear their services toward these trends can continue to please customers. Staying connected with other builders and professionals in the industry can help. Exchange ideas and learn more at the next Global Exchange Events.