Every few years, updates to national and local building codes introduce new requirements that directly impact how materials are selected, specified, and installed. In 2025, a fresh wave of building code revisions is rolling out—many of which are focused on energy efficiency, structural resilience, fire resistance, and environmental performance.
If you’re in the business of manufacturing, distributing, or installing building materials, staying ahead of these changes is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the most important 2025 building code updates and how they could affect material specifications.
- Stricter Energy Efficiency Requirements (IECC 2024/2025)
The latest updates to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are raising the bar on thermal performance. Expect:
Increased minimum R-values for insulation in walls, roofs, and foundations
More detailed requirements for continuous insulation (CI) in exterior walls
Tighter air sealing and envelope leakage limits
Improved performance requirements for windows and doors (U-factor and SHGC ratings)
Material impact: Distributors should expect greater demand for high-performance insulation products, energy-rated fenestration, and air/vapor barrier systems.
- Fire Safety Enhancements in the IBC
Updates to the International Building Code (IBC) for 2025 emphasize fire resistance, especially in multi-family housing, warehouses, and mixed-use structures. Changes include:
Revised fire separation distances for exterior walls
Expanded requirements for non-combustible cladding and sheathing
Enhanced fire testing standards for composite materials and finishes
Material impact: Products will need updated fire ratings. Fire-rated sheathing, treated wood, and non-combustible siding will see wider adoption.
- Structural Load Revisions from ASCE 7-22
Structural code updates now reference ASCE 7-22, which affects wind, seismic, snow, and flood load calculations. Highlights include:
Updated wind load zones, especially in hurricane-prone regions
Adjustments to seismic design maps
New roof snow load criteria in colder climates
Material impact: Engineers and specifiers may require upgraded framing components, hurricane ties, heavier connectors, and revised fastening systems.
- New Requirements for Low-Carbon and Sustainable Materials
With carbon reduction initiatives expanding nationwide, many jurisdictions are incorporating embodied carbon limits into local code language or green building programs. In some cases:
Concrete mixes must meet global warming potential (GWP) thresholds
Wood products may need certification from sustainable forestry standards (e.g., FSC)
Manufacturers must provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Material impact: Expect increased demand for low-carbon concrete, sustainably sourced lumber, and materials with third-party sustainability documentation.
- Updated Accessibility and Egress Codes
Revisions to accessibility standards will impact door hardware, threshold design, and surface finishes in ADA-compliant structures. Additionally, egress requirements may shift for stair treads, handrails, and slip-resistant surfaces.
Material impact: Entry systems, flooring, and safety coatings may need updated specs to remain compliant with these changes.
- Expanded Use of Mass Timber
Mass timber continues to gain traction in mid-rise and high-rise construction. The 2025 IBC now includes more provisions for fire testing, structural performance, and code allowances for taller buildings using:
Cross-laminated timber (CLT)
Nail-laminated timber (NLT)
Glue-laminated timber (glulam)
Material impact: Suppliers of engineered wood products will see expanded opportunities—but also stricter requirements for testing, certification, and fire-resistance ratings.
- More Granular Product Testing and Certification
With more attention on product safety and performance, third-party verification is becoming standard in code compliance. Codes increasingly call for:
Fire, moisture, and structural testing data
Certifications from ICC-ES, UL, FM, or other approved testing agencies
Updated product documentation during submittals and inspections
Material impact: Manufacturers and distributors must ensure that every product has current and verifiable compliance data ready to go.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 building code updates aren’t just technical shifts—they’re signals about where the industry is heading: smarter buildings, safer materials, and more sustainable construction. For those in the building materials sector, the time to adapt is now.
Make sure your product specs, documentation, and sales strategies align with the latest standards—because your customers will be looking for materials that are ready to meet code on day one.
