The construction industry is increasingly adopting environmentally-friendly practices and disaster-resistant designs to address climate change and enhance home resilience. Popular trends include renewable energy sources, green building features, and wider design accommodations for aging individuals. These initiatives not only improve sustainability but also offer economic benefits and improved quality of life for homeowners.

1. Urban Home
Construction
Trends
D E E T H O M P S O N C H I C A G O

2. More than ever, the construction
industry is looking to incorporate
more environmentally-friendly
practices into their projects.
Climate change also presents a real
issue that they seek to address. To
provide a stronger, better home,
here are some of the steps
contractors are taking:

3. Disaster Safe Construction
Without the right precautions, houses can quickly
be condemned due to natural disasters. In the
last year alone, multiple Category 5 hurricanes
caused millions of dollars of damages.
Communities are still recovering from the effects
of Harvey, Irma, and Maria, despite the fact that
those hurricanes happened over half a year ago.
In hopes of preventing such a dire aftermath in
the future, builders are incorporating
infrastructures designed to withstand or adapt to
natural disasters. These infrastructures include
elevated building designs, storm and water-
resistant materials, and wind-resistant roof
designs. Rebuilding is expensive, especially for
coastal and island communities that regularly
face damaging weather.. With sustainability and
resilience in mind, these communities will have
much greater success in withstanding potentially
devastating effects.

4. Green Buildings
Renewable energy methods continue to increase in
popularity, especially as these options become more
widely available and more affordable. Homebuyers are
opting towards rainwater collection systems, in-home
purification systems, renewable energy sources like
solar panels, as well as living walls and green roofs
(walls and roofs covered in plants to increase plant
habitation). Not only are these features healthier for the
earth, but they also have the economic and social
benefits of reducing utility costs and increasing property
values.
Tankless water heaters are also increasing in popularity -
they provide hot water only as it is needed and come in
both gas-fired and electric models. These tankless units
provide hot water only when the faucet is turned on,
offer a continuous supply of hot water, and save families
at least $100 per year in water bills.

5. Green Buildings
T h e c o n c e p t o f s t o r i n g e n e r g y f r o m r e n e w a b l e s o u r c e s i s b e g i n n i n g
t o e n t e r t h e r e s i d e n t i a l h o u s i n g s e c t o r , a n d a r e p r o v e n t o h e l p i n
t i m e s o f n a t u r a l d i s a s t e r s a n d p o w e r o u t a g e s . R a t h e r t h a n d e p e n d i n g
o n e l e c t r i c c o m p a n i e s t o r e s t o r e p o w e r , h o u s e h o l d s w i l l b e a b l e t o
r e l y o n t h e m s e l v e s a n d a v o i d g o i n g p o w e r l e s s f o r d a y s ( o r e v e n
w e e k s ) a t a t i m e .

6. Wider Hallways
and Doorways
As the age of retirement continues to increase,
adults are also choosing to live in their own
homes for longer than past generations.
However, old age often leads to lifestyle
changes, which sometimes includes the use of
wheelchairs and scooters. In an effort to plan for
a more comfortable future, contractors are
including wider doorways and hallways in their
designs to allow for a smoother transition to the
possible lifestyle changes that come with aging.

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