For centuries, building has relied on familiar materials – timber, stone, brick, steel, and concrete. While these materials have shaped our civilisations, they also come with quite a few limitations, such as high carbon footprints and vulnerability to cracking.
Here we explore the new generation of building materials and how they are changing the construction industry.
1. Translucent Wood
Scientists have found a way to give wood entirely new capabilities by removing lignin ,the component that makes wood opaque, and replacing it with a transparent polymer. Unlike glass, translucent wood is lightweight, shatter-resistant, and has good insulation properties.
As innovation accelerates, builders merchants vacancies are increasingly asking for expertise in sustainable materials.
2. Self Healing Concrete
Concrete is the most widely used material after water. Yet it has a major weakness – cracking.
Self-healing concrete does not have this flaw by embedding bacteria containing healing agents within the mix.
3. Spider Silk
Spider silk is one of the strongest natural fibres, with considerable strength and flexibility. Scientists have replicated its properties using genetically engineered microorganisms to produce synthetic versions at scale.
For construction, synthetic spider silk offers exciting possibilities. It is incredibly lightweight, biodegradable, and stronger than steel by weight.
The growing adoption of sustainable alternatives is influencing every level of construction, including builders merchants vacancies that now require knowledge of environmentally responsible products.
4. Biochar classing
Biochar is produced by heating plant biomass in a low-oxygen environment, creating a carbon-rich material. Traditionally used to improve soil, biochar is now finding its way into construction, used for cladding.