In our modern world, providing everyone with affordable and quality housing is still a major problem authority is grappling with. Part of the reason for this is that building houses takes a lot of time and resources, which naturally drives up the cost.
However, a solution may exist in the form of modular, or prefabricated, houses. In the modular construction process, all parts of the house, including the framing, plumbing, and roofing, are constructed in factories away from the construction site (modular construction is also sometimes called off-site construction). Once they are completed, they are shipped to the desired site and assembled there into a completed house.
This is in contrast to traditional “stick-built” houses where everything is constructed on the site itself. Thanks to its use of off-site construction to manufacture its parts in factories, a modular house can potentially generate a lot of savings for prospective homeowners:
Here are some of the main reasons modular construction is a good option for those seeking affordable yet durable homes:
Greater efficiency in construction
Because most of the work is done in factories which specialize in constructing each part of the house, these materials can be constructed in a shorter amount of time. They can also be subject to more rigorous forms of quality control to ensure strength and durability. All in all, this results in a more efficient construction process, as well as a better-finished product.
This efficiency, in turn, leads to a shorter assembly time, meaning that your home can be completed much faster. Once the materials have been constructed, all that is left to do is assemble them into a house, which also takes a much shorter time compared to having the entire house constructed from scratch.
All of these combined also means that modular homes can be available for cheaper than a stick-built house. Not only will the assembly line production method in factories make the materials cost less, but a shorter period of construction also generates savings in terms of labor costs.
High-quality structures
In terms of the materials used in construction, homeowners have the option to decide what materials will comprise their house. In order to maximize the benefits brought about by modular construction, however, it is recommended that traditional framing techniques — such as the use of timber — be employed.
Not only is timber strong and durable, while also being light and breathable, it is also sustainable and environmentally-friendly. It also does not cost as much to produce, which can save you money, time, and effort both in terms of materials construction and assembly.
Ease of management
With modular homes, the entire design and layout of the house have to be pre-planned and finalized before anything else is allowed to proceed since materials will be constructed separately. Thus, when it is time for the actual on-site assembly, it is much easier for homeowners to manage, and they can even take it upon themselves to assemble their house. This allows homeowners to be fully on top of the project as their dreams of having a home to call their own are being realized.
An innovation such as a modular home would have been unthinkable not too long ago. However, with the benefits, it provides not only to homeowners but society in general, it will come as no surprise if these turn out to be the homes of the future.
