Where once prefabricated houses were minimal and square-shaped, used primarily for social housing or large-scale property developments, they are now becoming much more widely used by self-builders and architects. The sizes, types and designs of prefab houses are now modern, full of character and can be customised to suit your preferences and requirements.
Here are just some of the main benefits of building prefabricated homes in 2021.
Sustainable
The overarching reason why many people choose prefabricated homes, whether you’re opting for an entire property shell including walls and floors or just a roof frame to complete your existing build, is sustainability. Due to being constructed in a factory environment, exact measurements and volumes of materials are used for each aspect of the property’s frame rather than the materials being cut to size on site which can lead to wastage. Not only does factory manufacturing improve the efficiency of the build, but there is little to no wasted materials and any materials that are leftover can be reused for another project.
The second reason why prefab houses are sustainable is that the entire house is essentially a built-in one factory. Once it’s complete, the frames are delivered to the site to be assembled together, requiring one journey for delivery, hugely limited travel and fewer carbon emissions than there would be with a traditional build where various materials are delivered at different stages and workers have to commute to and from the site daily.
Most prefabricated homes now prioritise the energy-efficiency and performance of homes right from the design stage, meaning prefab homes have efficiency built-in. Rather than the energy performance of a home being largely an afterthought as it is with custom-built homes, with renewable energy sources being added post-build, prefab homes put efficiency at the forefront. All the materials used in the frames are chosen for their sustainable and insulating properties, the houses are well ventilated, windows are placed strategically for solar gain and much more. Roofspace Solutions is one company using the fabric first approach in the design, conception and manufacturing of their timber frame homes and roofs. They are able to produce entire property shells including walls, floors and roofs efficiently and effectively that are also innately energy efficient.
Durability and quality
Due to prefabricated homes being engineered and manufactured in a controlled factory environment, the construction processes are highly precise making homes that are of the highest quality and highly durable. Prefab homes are protected from any external factors that can affect the quality of the end product such as weather and the availability of tools onsite meaning each and every aspect of the properties are built under the same conditions and to the same quality standard.
By not having to endure harsh weather conditions, particularly those we experience in the UK, the internal frames of the home aren’t at risk of being damaged by damp, mould or freezing where the wood’s durability can be affected.
Cost-effective
Another reason why prefabricated homes are preferred by many is due to their cost. Whether you decide to opt for an entire prefabricated house or only need certain aspects such as a roof, you benefit from fixed prices and there are no hidden costs that can appear during the construction process due to unexpected weather or difficulties.
What’s more, prefab houses are cost-effective long term too. They don’t lose value any quicker than those built traditionally and are designed to last over 100 years.
Short timeframes
Last but not least, prefabricated homes allow property developers or businesses under strict time pressures to stick to deadlines. The factory construction process is incredibly efficient without you compromising on the quality of your home due to the fact your builds don’t need to be put on hold for weather or light restrictions.
