1. Eco Friendly Construction - Bold New Trends For
The Coming Year
In many areas of business and industry, eco-friendliness is becoming a
primary concern. Even construction firms now strive to come up with ways
to reduce their carbon footprints and curtail the damage to the environment
caused by their products and/or processes. Traditional construction
methods and materials are widely being discarded in favor of more
environmentally-friendly options, and the trend is expected to continue in
the coming years. Here's a look at some of the more promising eco-friendly
trends in the construction industry.
Solar energy
An increasing number of structures constructed today have solar energy
panels installed on the roof. This trend is expected to continue as more and
more homeowners demand alternative energy sources. In addition to being
less harmful to the environment, solar energy fixtures will also help reduce
energy costs.
Bamboo flooring
The eco-friendly approach will inform the choice of flooring materials as
well, and bamboo is fast becoming a popular option. A durable and widely
available material, bamboo is expected to be a mainstay of home and
business construction in the coming years.
Recycled materials
Although recycled and recyclable materials have long been used in the
construction industry, this usage is expected to increase as time goes on.
For an increasing number of people, eco-friendliness also extends to the
materials used, and recycled materials are fast becoming a popular option.
Energy efficient processes
Eco-friendliness is expected to increase with regard to processes as well.
While there will be a continued focus on constructing eco-friendly
structures, many builders will look toward making the construction process
itself as environmentally-friendly as possible.
Smaller structures

2. The trend toward sprawling homes and towering structures over the past
several years is expected to give way to the construction of smaller
structures. Aside from requiring less space and fewer materials, such
structures will also have reduced energy requirements, making them even
better suited to eco-friendly applications.
Green roofing
Even roofing materials and processes will be increasingly informed by eco-
friendly principles. As with flooring materials, many companies are now
looking for alternatives that are just as effective, but will have reduced
negative impact on the environment.
Natural lighting
Designs in which rooms are separated by walls will become less common.
Already seen in many recent home and office designs, open floor plans will
reduce lighting and power demands in new structures.
Increased emphasis on the “green” standard
Eco-friendly practices haven’t always been readily accepted in the
construction industry, but this is quickly changing. Along with the growing
realization of construction’s role in contributing to a more environment
friendly industry, consumer demands will necessitate a shift towards
providing more eco-friendly options. Some construction companies that
have previously been resistant towards such changes may even adopt eco-
friendliness as a primary approach.
More efficient heating and cooling
Reducing energy consumption has always been a priority in the industry–
particularly with regard to cooling and heating concerns–and more
companies will provide more eco-friendly options in this specific area.
Again this will be the result of continued interest in reducing construction
and maintain costs, as well as increased consumer demand.
Increased use of natural resources
More and more designs will feature stone as a primary component. Already
a popular option in many areas of the industry, stone will play an increasing
role in construction due to its widespread availability, comparatively low
cost, and reduced environmental impact.
Economy-friendliness in even the small aspects of construction

3. While most construction projects today are undertaken with some degree of
consideration to the eco-friendliness of materials and processes, there will
be a noticeable shift toward making such concerns the primary guiding
principle. It is expected that eco-friendliness will be considered in nearly all
aspects of the business, even in less crucial areas such as painting and
fixtures.
Availability of more eco-friendly options
It wasn’t so long ago that eco-friendly options were unavailable in even the
largest construction depots and home supply emporiums. While most
people would have had to turn to smaller specialty outlets for their needs,
even the bigger chains now offer several eco-friendly alternatives to
traditional construction materials. This trend is expected to continue well
into the coming years, heralding a noticeable shift toward a more eco-
friendly industry in general.
These are only some of the areas of the construction industry wherein eco-
friendliness will become a prominent feature. Various other areas of the
business will likely adopt a more eco-friendly approach, and it is definitely
worth considering for any future construction projects.