Green Construction Trends to Watch in 2021

With our 2020 focused on battling the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental concerns are now at the bottom of our priority lists. This crisis has disrupted so many aspects of people’s lives and industries, including the construction industry. Trends such as social distancing, adjustments in cash flow, changes in resources, and breaks in supply chains now have to be part of any industry to ensure any person’s welfare and safety. Moreover, there is also the fact the global pandemic contributed to the increase in material waste such as discarded face masks and protective equipment in the medical field. Thus, the need for sustainable trends will also possibly increase in 2021.

The global trend of green buildings continues to rise even today. It will likely grow even more, especially in most of North America, Europe, and in fast-growing countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. More government agencies, property developers, corporate real estate managers, and universities now acknowledge and even incorporate green design ideas and measures in their construction projects. Against all odds, the green construction trends will not be stopped and will keep on changing. 

Before the year ends, let us look at these green construction trends on the horizon for 2021. You might even try incorporating these trends for your construction projects in the long run. 

Government-Driven Expansions and Projects 

When it comes to renewable projects, government support has already proved vital over the past decade. In 2021, we might see more increased partnerships between business leaders and companies, and politicians. Future renewable projects and the implementation of sustainable energy will depend more on the commitment of political leaders. Almost half of solar and wind projects will likely tie to planned government-backed incentives. To reduce costs, states with higher available capital need to partner with less wealthy regions to ensure that all green projects will proceed smoothly, safely, and successfully. While there are already countries around the world that already have programs for using sustainable energy, we can see in the year ahead that job creation and stimulating economic growth will also center on the same. Governments may even focus on reducing electrical costs and start onshore wind and solar power projects, which are surprisingly cheaper than fossil fuel plants.

The Rise of Green Hydrogen 

In recent years, green hydrogen has continuously lacked popularity because of the financial constraints that it brings. Green hydrogen, in contrast with its grey counterpart, can be four times more expensive. It is why we will see greater adoption of this environmentally friendly matter in 2021. In a Hydrogen Council’s prediction, green hydrogen will be cheaper than unabated fossil-fuel H2 by 2030. Moreover, it can serve as a new renewable solution that politicians and businesses worldwide can focus on when they innovate bulky goods transportation and industrial manufacturing processes.  

The Use of Green Materials to Achieve LEED Certification 

There is also what we call Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification– one of the most popular green building certification programs designed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It promotes the idea of “green building,” a practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings using fewer resources. It aims to minimize waste and environmental impact to achieve a safer environment and building productivity. Nowadays, construction materials and equipment are already LEED-certified, such as LEED access doors and panels and other building parts. Even architects need to keep in mind green construction. In 2021, we will see more of these green building materials that help achieve LEED certification:

• Wood
• Bamboo
• Insulated concrete forms
• slate/stone roofing
• Steel
• Composites
• Natural fiber
• Polyurethane
• Earthbags
• Fiberglass
• Stone
•  Polystyrene and isocyanurate
• Non-VOC paints
• Cellulose
• Fiber cement

The Emergence of Living Materials 

The development of living materials is probably one of the most exciting construction trends to watch in 2021. When we say living materials, we refer to the biological compounds that grow and are ready to produce full-scale production soon. No one would probably expect that the most promising natural materials consist of bacteria and fungi. One promising living material that we are yet to see is self-mending concrete, saturated with bacteria that bind the materials around them into a new material form. This material can grow in the pores of the concrete, which adds to its impermeability. 

The Growth of Global Hydropower 

Around the globe, hydropower is considered the number one renewable energy source, which encompasses 71% of the world’s total renewable electricity comprises almost one-fifth of the total global electricity. We will see this significant figure soar in the coming year. China is currently rivaled in hydropower generation by America, Canada, Russia, and Brazil. However, the most vigorous capacity expansion and water availability seen by Chinese suppliers and resources in 2019 contributed to its 25-year status as the champion and key generator of hydropower. Although renewable development in China slowed down in recent years, we are yet to see an increase in both investment and success for the Chinese sustainable energy market in 2021. 

Takeaways for 2021 Construction 

It is noteworthy that although it is impossible to predict what is to come in the future, we can continue to make educated guesses and closely inspect history for guidance. Moreover, starting sustainability and maintaining it for a long time depends not only on one individual or institution. There are already so many green options in the market that we can only find reliable suppliers and resources of green building materials.

Going green with construction is the best way to keep up with the times, especially now that the world is experiencing all sorts of problems. One of those problems is with the environment and how it’s rapidly changing. It’s great to know that there are many construction companies searching for several ways to incorporate green innovation into the construction industry. If you are looking for sustainable access doors and panels, Best Access Doors is a trustworthy supplier that promotes energy efficiency and sustainability. All of the products they have to offer are made from high-quality materials and hardware. You can never go wrong choosing them for your future green construction projects.