Trends in Alberta Building Materials To Watch in Future

When the first settlers arrived in Alberta, they slept in their wagons while they cast around for materials to build their shacks. If there were trees available, they built log cabins; while if the ground was stony, they built stone walls. Later, when railroads arrived they could arrange deliveries from a distance. However, since transport was expensive they generally used what they could lay their hands on locally.

Thus, we have our abundant forest to thank for Calgary’s tradition of timber-clad homes. Although there has been a shift across to vinyl and fibre-cement siding, because it lasts longer and resists insects. Preferences are different in the Great Clay Belt stretching from Kapuskasing, past Lake Abitibi and on to Amos though. There, the norm is understandably brick houses.

Future Trends in Dwelling Unit Sizes

The preference was for large families and houses until after the Second World War. Recent statistics somewhat surprisingly suggest the trend for large homes is continuing in Canada despite smaller families. The average Canadian home is now 1,792 square feet in extent compared to 1,050 in 1975. Point 2 Homes ranks us third from the top globally, after the United States (2,032) and Australia (1,091).

This statistic is probably down to generous availability of land. The situation is markedly different in the UK. There, the average new home is 820 square feet in size, with 4 – 5 rooms shoehorned in. As Canadian millennials start making their influence felt, we might see our new home sizes coming down. Why is this? Millennials are more socially conscious than their parents about the effect of population size on global warming.

Therefore, they are trending towards smaller families too. Student debt is also nudging them towards smaller, cheaper homes. There is a trend to more childless families thanks to the emerging LGBT community. Moreover, a growing number of metrosexual couples would rather spend their money on luxury and travel. The new green is knocking through to building materials too.

Green Thinking’s Impact on Building Materials

Sustainability requires materials from carbon-emission-free sources that have a zero impact on the environment once installed. There are exciting developments in programmable concrete, where less is needed to create the same structural strength. Concrete is responsible for 5% of global CO2 emissions so this really matters.

Work is ongoing with cross-laminated hardwood timber that could replace concrete completely. The brick industry is revolutionising too, using recyclable materials. Valiant Exteriors Ltd is tirelessly seeking out lower carbon-footprint building materials. Watch this space. We hope to report more soon.