Pictured Project: 118 Timber Frame Units in Cranleigh, Surrey.
Introduction:
Most of the construction industry will already be planning for 2025 and beyond, but as 2024 ends, significant insights and trends are emerging of what can be expected next year.
In 2025, the construction industry can expect technological advancements, an increase in the use of offsite manufacturing, a continued focus on sustainability and much more.
At OFP, we aim to deliver our promise of producing and installing the best timber frame solutions for our clients whilst maintaining our commitment to working in the most sustainable ways possible. We can only do this by being aware and staying ahead of what is expected to come.
In this article, we will look at the top 3 trends expected for the construction industry in 2025 and what that could mean for us moving forward.
Let’s take a look at what is expected in 2025.
Continued advancements in technology
Evolving technology has been at the forefront of the construction industry over the past few years, and 2025 will be no exception. Next year, we can expect a continued interest in robotics and automation and its integration within the construction industry. We have seen robotics and automation utilised for repetitive tasks such as bricklaying, excavation and load-lifting. Again, this is nothing new, but we can expect to see this evolve further.
In addition, construction firms will continue to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) in 2025.
AI has made it into most of our personal and professional lives, and we have seen it used more in construction for quality control, design and project planning. VR is being utilised more in the creation of 3D demonstrations of projects. This allows all stakeholders, such as architects, contractors and engineers, to understand the project visually, particularly when the project is complex.
At OFP, our factory is at the heart of everything we do, and with that in mind, we have purposely built it with a focus on expertise, innovation, and quality.
Offsite Manufacturing and Prefabrication
Unsurprisingly, offsite manufacturing will continue to be adopted in 2025. Offsite manufacturing offers many benefits to the construction industry. It is a cost-effective and speedy construction process with numerous environmental benefits and boosts waste reduction.
The UK Government Construction Strategy 2025 report stated, “As demand for low carbon and sustainable construction continues to increase, the potential of offsite construction to deliver assets with half the waste and 25% less energy will make it an ever more attractive option.”
At OFP, we expect one house to be produced in 3 hours using offsite manufacturing.
Learn more
Offsite manufacturing is achieved through automation, processes, procedures, and innovation. OFP Timber Frame panels, joists and trusses are produced using offsite manufacturing techniques in our purpose-built factory in Kent. We have strict quality control and compliance, allowing us to deliver precise, high-quality products every time.
Sustainable Construction
Is the industry on track to reducing UK emissions by 68% by 2030, 78% by 2035, and achieving net zero carbon by 2050?
The UK Government says “around 40% of UK carbon emissions are linked to the built environment.” Over half of the construction industry’s CO2 emissions are linked to the products and materials produced, especially steel and cement.
In addition, the construction sector is responsible for approximately 60% of the UK’s total waste output.
The UK Government’s targets, coupled with current statistics, make a move to more sustainable construction inevitable. This trend will continue to gain momentum in 2025.
To achieve Net Zero by 2050, the UK government is promoting increased timber use in construction.
According to the Structural Timber Association, “Timber is the stand-out performer, possessing the lowest embodied carbon of any building material. Timber offers exceptional energy efficiency performance, greatly reducing household emissions – a positive for both the environment and the pocket of the homeowner.”
A roadmap has been produced outlining the opportunities and challenges of using timber in Construction in England. Read more about the Government’s Roadmap to Timber in Construction.
At OFP, we believe that timber frame construction is essential to a sustainable future. We are thrilled to see the government’s commitment to this vision. We already take proactive steps to reduce our carbon footprint and leave a positive impact on the environment as a result of our business activities.
Some examples of what OFP are doing:
- We produce pellets from waste sawdust that we can use in our biomass boilers to fuel our office and factory.
- We ‘finger-joint’ off cuts of timber to reduce waste.
- We have solar panels installed to help supply the energy required for our manufacturing facility.
- We hold FSC and PEFC certifications, showcasing our commitment to responsible timber construction.
Read more about our sustainability commitments on our ESG page.
Conclusion
As the construction industry works towards long-term targets, it can expect several existing trends to continue into 2025. We will see a continued emphasis on sustainability, offsite manufacturing and adoption of technology.
Are you ready for 2025 construction trends? OFP can deliver products and solutions that can help to support overall construction objectives. Get in touch with us to learn more.
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