As the economy slowly improves, home construction is picking up speed again. Construction projects are focusing on new ways to incorporate energy efficiency into a property, allowing home owners to take advantage of cheaper utility bills. In addition, and just like before the recession, safety on a construction site is extremely important, although there are a number of new safety guidelines in place that firms must follow to minimize the chances of a serious injury – or even death – from occurring on a work site. This article outlines some of the modern trends in the construction industry, and explores how energy efficiency and worker safety are transforming the way homes are being built across the country.
Making homes more energy efficient
One of the most popular construction trends is incorporating energy efficiency into new homes, especially as home builders realize that energy costs are not going to decrease any time soon. Long-term energy efficient solutions are needed to keep the cost of living down – think energy efficient windows, high efficiency heating and solar energy solutions. Home owners are wanting eco-friendly properties and this is being reflected in the construction industry, as new homes are being built using materials with low VOCs, as well as recycled and re-purposed materials such as cork, crushed concrete and bamboo.
Occupancy sensors are also becoming popular, providing home owners with an automatic lighting control for increased energy savings. Smart appliances are also being incorporated into new properties, such as energy efficient washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, all of which evaluate local time-of-use rates and then operate when electricity costs are at the lowest.
Construction trends reflect changes in consumer habits
The way we interact with our home appliances is also changing. Consumer electronics are becoming more popular, with some new homes featuring Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerators that feature a monitor that can display recipes and photos. Standby generators are also being controlled from a separate device, and home owners can turn these on or off from a mobile tablet or laptop. The construction industry is having to adapt quickly to these changes in technology, especially when consumer demand for these home features are becoming increasingly popular.
Research shows that construction projects are also becoming increasingly gender-specific. Many construction firms are building homes that cater to the female customer, with properties that feature a larger kitchen, more storage and utility room. It seems that men prefer a property with a large garage and plenty of interior space for friends and family to visit. This is a recent trend that would have been unheard of several years ago.
Safety concerns
Safety is becoming more important than ever, with recent construction trends reflecting this. As employers are legally responsible for any injuries that might occur on a construction site, new safety procedures are being followed to protect staff, as well as the general public who are in close proximity to the area. One way to ensure safety on a construction site is to encourage all workers to wear the correct safety equipment, such as hi-vis clothing, hard hats, boots, safety glasses and gloves.
More training is being given to construction workers to teach them about the safety risks when working on a construction site, and this training is often required to be completed by all employees, even those staff who have worked in the construction industry for several decades. As new safety procedures are being brought into force on worksites across the country, the industry is ever-evolving, having to adapt to new legislature that pertains to the health and safety of construction workers. Individuals working on a site should know what to do in a mechanical or power failure, and construction workers are often encouraged to learn new safety skills, such as the basics of first aid.
To minimize the chances of an individual falling from a raised service, suitable ladder and stair access is used to allow workers to climb off scaffolding when repairing a roof.
A work platform for example is imperative when repairing the guttering of a building, and when correctly installed, can provide a safe foundation for workers who need to work from an elevated surface with suitable edge protection.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the industry but when it comes to property construction, it seems home builders are focusing on what their customers are asking for. Energy efficiency and technology will soon be incorporated into new homes as standard, rather than as an additional feature. Safety is also as important as ever; protecting employees is of prime importance to construction firms across the country.