Bryan Baeumler’s Top Home Renovation and Building Trends for 2022

By Bryan Baeumler 

Turbulence. Uncertainty. Opportunity. 

I think those three words capture where we’re headed for the coming year with respect to trends in building materials and construction in 2022. 

The previous year was one of unprecedented adjustment for everyone, including those in the construction trades, largely driven, of course, by COVID-19. We saw supply disruptions and some astonishing increases in the prices for materials, particularly lumber. As people hunkered down, working from home and attending school online, we saw a demand for home renovations to accommodate their new needs. We saw money that would have been spent on vacations redirected into home renovations. 

And we saw astonishing demand for property in rural areas and cottage country. 

All this demand for construction drove a shortage of skilled and unskilled labor – a shortage that was acute even before the pandemic began. 

As the new year begins, it appears the virus isn’t exactly finished with us, and as a result I suspect that in 2022 we’ll see a continuation of many of the developments that emerged last year. 

With no further ado, here are my top six renovation, construction and building products trends that I believe will shape 2022.

1. The Great Outdoors is Where We’ll Play... 

We all understand, now, that being outdoors in a pandemic is safer than being indoors. As a result, people are spending plenty of money on outdoor spaces and I think that trend will continue. Think gazebos, decks, trellises, comfortable seating, attractive lighting, and landscaping.  

The trend is toward staycation, having entertainment at home, and having the space to entertain safely. As a result, we’ll continue to see demand for outdoor renovations this year. 

2. ...But Indoors is Where We’ll Make a Living 

There’s been a real shift in how we work and learn. A lot of family entertainment space has become family learning space or family office space. Basements and garages are being repurposed. Additional square footage is being added. We’re all having to live and work from home and as a result, we’re all looking for reasonable ways to do so. That’s going to continue. 

The sharp rise in repurposed spaces has also caused a groundswell for the use of alternative materials that better suit the needs of a given space. As people look to improve or repurpose garages, storage closets, and basements, I’ve noticed those same people turn to products like Trusscore as the proven alternative. A great example is Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard which installs quickly, isn’t bothered by moisture, and is strong and durable – perfect in basement and garage spaces. 

3. The Shortage of Workers and Tradespeople Will Drive Demand for Labor-Saving Products

We’ve been talking about a labor shortage in the trades for years, and it has been growing more acute as people look to make changes to their homes to accommodate lifestyle changes brought on by the pandemic. It’s just so busy right now. 

You couple all that demand with not as many people coming into the trades, and you’ve got a real shortage of skilled labor. Typically, when there’s a demand for labor, you see people who are unqualified or unskilled starting to fill those positions. 

I think moving forward, any new product or technology that reduces the amount of skill and actual physical time and labor to install, is going to become more and more popular as labor shortages grow. 

This is another reason why I believe Trusscore is making the right products at the right time. Anyone can install it. You don’t have to be a carpenter or a drywaller. It requires very basic skills and tools. It’s solid, it’s straightforward, and it’s very fast. 

4. Durability Will Be Key to Going Green

For years, the industry in general has been talking about being environmentally friendly, but at the end of the day, there is an environmental cost to build any structure. The same can be said for construction in general. 

The only way to mitigate that cost is to build in such a way that the products you're using, and the methods you're using, are going to last. The idea is to avoid having to rebuild or repair a structure and to reduce over time the materials we use when we build. 

Let’s look at drywall, for example. It frequently requires remediation or replacement. Moisture can cause it to swell and support mold growth; it’s easily damaged by bumps from furniture; sub-par installation can cause nail pops and seam cracks. The list goes on. When old drywall gets replaced, it goes to landfill and there it leaches hydrogen sulfide, a potent greenhouse gas.  

In 2022, I think we’ll see durable alternative materials such as PVC continue to offer the industry a brighter future. Longevity, cleanability and ability to withstand exposure to moisture and chemicals make it a material that, for me, is critical to achieving sustainability in the building materials industry. 

Building for longevity may require spending a little bit more up front. Doing so will reduce operating and maintenance costs and long-term costs. And, long-term, it’s better for the environment because you’re using less material and energy to operate and maintain your structure over the long haul.  

5. Smaller, More Efficient Designs Will Help Offset the Rising Price of Materials

We’ve seen some big increases in the price of materials in the past year, and inflationary pressure continues. Housing, food, everything is rising in price. And the movement of goods and construction materials continue to be affected by logistical problems, creating shortages and delivery snags and higher costs. If shortages continue – if we get into a supply versus demand situation – prices will continue to escalate. 

In many cases, the only way to combat this is to build smaller and more efficiently – using efficient framing techniques, for example, and create spaces that are not only small, but hyper-efficient. At the end of the day, I’m talking about building smarter. Smarter always saves money over the long term. 

6. Make It Modern

Everything is skewing modern today. By modern I mean plenty of glass, concrete, and straight lines. Architectural glass has been used since the late 1940s and having a window, literally, on the outdoors, is very appealing to people. I think we’ll see a demand for this type of design in 2022. 

The Safe Bet for 2022

There will be challenges ahead for us all, no doubt, in the coming year. We’re going to depend on our living spaces to see us through it, to provide us with shelter and sanctuary.  

Making improvements to your home, doing them correctly and affordably, and opting for better material alternatives where possible, will bring lasting satisfaction and a better environment for us all. That’s always a safe bet, but never more so than the year ahead.