The modern building materials industry transforms as it becomes more innovative, connected, and data-driven. Some of the factors reshaping the industry include rapid urbanization, increasing globalization, and heightened environmental concerns. These five key trends will significantly shape the future of the global building materials industry now and over the next decade.
Use of Drones
Drones are rapidly becoming a common part of project development already used in aerial photography and videography. These unmanned aerial vehicles will also be used for data collection and documentation, which helps improve productivity and quality in construction.
These unmanned aerial vehicles will eventually be fully integrated with other job site equipment. If you’re planning to build a high-rise, you should invest in getting one.
Several startups have already started offering software that will make these devices more convenient for architects, quantity surveyors, and other property developers.
Self-healing Sustainable Concrete
Self-healing concrete is one of the emerging technologies in the market. This innovative material helps in building a more robust and more durable structure. This product contains food materials and bacterial colonies to heal damaged concrete.
These innovations can be used on a large scale. The new construction material will reduce the need for frequent repairs. According to research by the University of Pittsburgh, the market for self-healing concrete is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period.
This technology will help in improving the durability of buildings and other structures. The market is still growing, but its potential is very promising. In the coming years, the development of this technology is expected to boost the construction industry’s growth globally.
Bioplastics
With more than 100 million tonnes produced annually, bioplastics are slowly being adopted by the building industry. These sustainable, renewable materials reduce the impact on the environment. Architects are choosing environmentally-friendly materials in their buildings.
By using bioplastics in their buildings, architects can use less energy and create greener environments. In addition, they can reduce their carbon footprint. The sustainable construction industry will be more efficient and cost-effective.
They can be transported easily and can be reused for other projects. Using bioplastics in the construction industry is an excellent way to lower your carbon footprint.
Steel
While steel is a more expensive material, it can provide a higher level of structural integrity for buildings and lower building costs. The demand for steel has grown significantly, driven by its high yield strength, malleability, durability, and thermal resistance. Consider steel buildings projects such as commercial garages, industrial warehouses, and sports facilities.
It has a high embodied energy, making it more expensive and inflexible than its counterparts. Nonetheless, it is still the primary building material for many projects. Its low cost and resistance to corrosion are leading to a new era of reinforced concrete.
Steel is also an excellent reinforcement material because it has an almost equal elongation to concrete, allowing it to be used as rebar in construction. Moreover, increasing industrialization is expected to drive the market growth of steel rebar further.
Smart Glass
Smart glass is a rapidly growing building material. Its multipurpose qualities are increasing its popularity in both residential and commercial buildings. Designed to reduce energy costs, smart glass is already being used for various applications.
A recent example is The Estates at Acqualina in Miami, which has incorporated smart glass into its design. These transparent windows offer a beautiful view of the natural landscape and reduce the cooling load during sunny days.
The technology behind smart glass allows users to adjust the amount of light and heat entering a building, helping to cut energy costs by 30 percent. The technology can also be switched opaque quickly to provide privacy.
As a result, smart glass is expected to become a popular choice for many people. This innovation will likely continue to expand as consumer spending increases.
Conclusion
These are exciting times for the construction industry. Innovation is crucial with an increased demand for eco-friendly materials, better durability, indoor air quality, and heightened safety concerns. These five trends will play a big role in shaping the industry in the future, which means that they’re worth keeping an eye on.
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