The construction industry remains dynamic and is driven by the need to incorporate technology, better materials, and efficient techniques that enhance the performance of the systems. There are new trends in the construction of residential and commercial premises, the application of which in the construction of buildings and houses is already becoming the norm. Below are among the most popular new entries in the residential and commercial Construction Estimating Companies today.
Contents
Some of the materials that can be used in construction and that are environmentally friendly are discussed below:
In general, the idea of sustainability is gaining more popularity in the construction industry today. There is a greater use of recycled and renewable materials in construction projects for both residential and commercial uses, which are better for the environment. Some top materials that are gaining widespread use include:
- Bamboo flooring and cabinets – Despite being produced from grass, bamboo is hard and has a short maturity period to grow.
- Post-consumer glass countertops – Scrap from buildings and bottles can be used to make counters and tiles.
- Mass timber/cross-laminated timber – Construction products created based on layers of lumber that are pressed together and offer an equivalent strength to concrete and steel.
- Solar shingles/tiles – The solar roof shingles/tiles are roofing products that have integrated solar cells used to produce energy.
- Natural insulation materials – Products made out of cotton, cellulose, sheep’s wool, and any other natural fiber.
These green building materials include products that can offer good performance and the reduction of the overall carbon emissions in the construction of houses and buildings. The global transition toward sustainability and the construction of buildings with a net-zero carbon footprint will influence the creation of sustainable construction materials.
Offsite Construction and Prefabrication
Offsite or off-grid construction means the construction process in which most of the sections of the total building structure are manufactured and preassembled in specialized facilities before they are transported to the actual building site for erection. This approach includes practices like:
- Modular homes and buildings are different from other construction projects in that the structures are built in sections and then assembled at the construction site.
- Some of these are precast concrete sections and panels
- Panelized wall/roof sections
- Prefabricated bathroom/kitchen pods
In general, offsite prefabrication leads to increased construction speed, reduced costs, enhanced quality control of the building materials, and reduced creation of debris within the site for both residential and commercial constructions. There are also opportunities for the customization of components through the use of concepts in digital manufacturing. Offsite construction enables more construction processes to be carried out under a factory-like environment minimizing inconveniences occasioned by onsite constraints.
Smart Building Technology
Technology is advancing greatly to increase the intelligence and interconnectivity within structures. Advanced technology such as sensors, BIM software, cloud computing interfaces, and automation are applied to residential and commercial buildings to improve energy intensity, comfort, and security. Key examples of emerging smart building tech include:
- Temperature and lighting control systems and appliances with preset timings
- Smart grid and digital energy management
- Advanced guarding with biometrics and face locks
- Smartphone and voice technology enabled door and other building control applications
- Smart systems and controls for HVAC and electrical systems
- Web-based facility management applications
Solutions that enable smart buildings can provide better connections between systems and greater automation that can benefit the process and give homeowners and facility managers more control and information. Smart technology also incorporates ways of remote repair work and prognosis for the prevention of system breakdowns.
Flexible and Multipurpose Spaces
The most important trends in the further development of the real estate and design industries, several of which were further advanced by the pandemic, relate to the concept of flexible usage. Several dwelling units and Construction Estimating Service are created with flexibility; that is, rooms contain potential for various uses. Key examples include:
Residential Trends
- This refers to floor plans that have an open space between the different units.
- Such as dual occupancy, where work and living are combined.
- The use of demountable walls and partitions
- Furniture that can be transformed from one piece of furniture to another e.g. bed that doubles up as a cupboard.
Commercial Trends
- A modular design for shared work environments
- Movable interior walls/dividers
- Multipurpose communal spaces
- Modular and reconfigurable furniture can be defined as retail furniture designs and products that can be adjusted and moved around according to different requirements and functional uses.
- Retractable bleachers/seating infrastructure
It is such flexibility that ensures that buildings are adaptable to different uses and as needs change they can be shifted to suit a specific need which is the principle of longevity and use. Requirements may be fluid and this means that specific spaces can change with time.
Conclusion
In residential and commercial Construction Estimating Services, several emerging trends are being pushed by technological breakthroughs and altered priorities. Offsite modular construction is the key trend growing in both sectors embracing green and sustainable building materials, smart building technologies, and adaptable spatial design. All these trends depicted the move toward increased efficiency, flexibility, connectivity, greenness, and health. Construction companies that can apply such innovative and future-oriented approaches and tools will be most prepared and suited for projects in the forthcoming decades when such technologies will become standardized in construction.
