Exploring current trends in UK construction materials

The construction industry in the UK is worth a staggering £132,989 million. Just like every other sector, it’s changing to work smarter and not harder. At the forefront of the trends shaping the sector is innovation and sustainability. 

In this article, we’ll explore how UK construction businesses are innovating to stay ahead. 

How are construction companies utilising sustainable solutions?

It’s estimated that around 78% of people class environmental sustainability important. With this, construction companies have realised that without adopting sustainable practices, they risk losing out on valuable custom. 

This general desire for sustainability has meant that many construction companies are changing the way they work and looking at how they can complete projects in the most sustainable way. For this reason, nowadays it’s commonplace for construction companies to look at different building materials such as OSB, recycled steel, timber and even low-carbon concrete. 

Many companies are also looking to reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing products locally. Rather than obtaining timber from abroad, many are looking to local suppliers to reduce long material journeys. Some are also looking at their design processes – by making sustainability a key consideration from the get-go, it’s far easier to adopt sustainable practices throughout the project. 

How are technological advancements helping shape the UK construction industry?

As well as sustainability trends, many technological trends are reshaping the construction industry in 2024, here are some of the main ones: 

AI

AI is growing in popularity across all sectors – and the construction industry is no different. AI-powered software is helping with the management, scheduling and risk management of construction projects, helping to cut back on the tedious aspect of builds. 

Advanced material development

Innovation is helping companies develop stronger, more sustainable and lighter products. These elements can often shave valuable time off the construction, making it a win-win for the company and the client. 

Prefabrication and modular construction

Advanced manufacturing techniques like robotics are making it far easier to create components offsite. Not only does it reduce construction time – prefabrication can help drive up quality, minimise waste and even reduce build prices. 

Drones

While drones might not immediately spring to mind, they’ve been used for surveying different sites and monitoring projects. They’re especially useful for building sites that might be difficult or dangerous to survey in person. 

Final thoughts… 

In conclusion, the UK construction sector is changing – the main way they’re doing so is through their adoption of sustainability and innovation. To stay ahead of the curve, companies are adopting eco-friendly practices and continue to source materials locally while choosing greener alternatives.

At the same time, technological advancements like AI, prefabrication, and drones are revolutionising processes, enhancing efficiency, and promoting safer practices. Stay tuned to see what’s next for the industry…