Construction Trends for 2021
New construction trends emerge every year with the development of new technologies and popular processes. Trends for construction next year largely depend on the COVID-19 pandemic and how the world is changing because of it. With more adapting lifestyles, smaller incomes and a greater need for health and safety, construction will take on some new habits. Among these, new technologies and concerns for the environment will change the way we build.
Safety Protocols
The COVID-19 pandemic has led construction teams to evaluate their health practices. In 2021, we’ll likely see more regimented cleaning protocols and a new way of handling work shifts.
Team managers will be responsible for dividing their team into smaller groups and staggering shifts to keep up with social distancing measures. Workers will stick with regular habits like wearing masks and using hand sanitizer, but they’ll also limit shared equipment.
It will become standard to give every worker their own set of materials, like helmets and gloves, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Pre-Fab and Modular Construction
Pre-fab building and modular construction have been on the rise in the past few years, and 2021 may bring on an even larger spike. Modular construction significantly reduces construction costs, and it lends itself to smaller, socially distanced teams with simple building procedures.
On top of simplified development practices, modular construction is typically inexpensive and adaptable for many spaces. With more people working from home, pre-fab buildings are ideal for creating small office spaces outside the house. They can also be completely temporary, so they offer an adaptable solution for the changing health environment.
A Shift in Non-Residential Projects
The presence of the pandemic has also changed construction in the commercial world. With public spaces like restaurants, hotels and businesses losing activity in the face of social distancing measures, companies are far less likely to start new projects.
While 2021 construction trends might not include an abundance of new commercial projects, public buildings are making use of the downtime. With less business, hotels and restaurants are using the slow to complete new renovation projects. Construction companies will likely be responsible for upgrading old buildings rather than starting new ones.
New Technology
We’ve seen a steady rise in construction technologies over the past few years, and 2021 will keep up with the pattern. Improved building information modeling (BIM), drone use and 3-D printing are becoming more common in the industry.
BIM has introduced more layers to its software, including schedules, materials and costs. With more facets to BIM, project managers can completely personalize an operation before stepping on the field, improving efficiency and saving money. Software is also moving to the cloud, allowing for greater accessibility across devices and providing real-time information.
Drones have become increasingly popular for the broad scope they provide on construction sites. Teams can view a building from above to get an idea of their progress and notice any safety concerns. Drones allow construction companies to accurately assess their timeline and improve the quality of their build.
Additionally, 3-D printing has brought about a highly efficient way to lay concrete. This practice can help to reduce the number of shift workers, and it significantly reduces construction time. 3-D printers also have a place on the manufacturing front, allowing for customized parts at a low price.
Greener Practices
Environmental concerns have reached the forefront of construction practices, and they’ll only become more prevalent in 2021. Big corporations and other businesses push for greener building practices because it leads to greater efficiency and saved money later on.
Living materials are entering the scene as a building medium. Mycelium composites help form biodegradable insulation, and self-mending concrete uses bacteria to fill pores in concrete and cover cracks over time.
Construction teams are also more likely to use electric machinery or renewable biofuels to power their operation. With reduced carbon emissions, these practices are lessening construction’s impact on the ozone layer.
Count on Cleveland Brothers for Construction Equipment
At Cleveland Brothers, we carry the leading equipment brands for your construction needs. Take advantage of our high-end Cat® products, replacement parts and range of services to keep you going on any job site. When you’re adapting to the 2021 construction trends, you can count on us to keep you prepared. Browse our equipment and contact us today to learn more about our products.