Finding the right home can be overwhelming, especially with the emergence of different innovative ways of homebuilding. Take for example the prefabricated (prefab) housing, which is growing in popularity due to its more affordable price. An example of a prefab housing is a modular home.
Manor Homes explains that modular houses and traditional houses are the same when it comes to the materials used. But, modular homes are built offsite inside a manufacturing facility as opposed to traditional homes, which are built on site. Once completed, they are transported and installed to the site. Make no mistake. Modular homes are permanent fixtures like a traditional house once installed. They are not the same as a mobile home.
Modular vs. Traditional
Modular benefits
- Build time – Because modular homes are built indoors, the construction timelines are never delayed by bad weather and can be completed in a matter of weeks instead of months.
- Customisable and sustainable – It is easier to incorporate features like house orientation, good ventilation, insulation and shading and other add-on features such as solar power and grey water systems. And since these are built in a factory, site disruption and waste are reduced which makes it a more sustainable choice. Design flexibility is also important and the builders understand that. That's why they offer a wide range of home designs for you to choose from before they start construction.
- Structural integrity – Modular homes are built to the same building codes as traditional homes. But, a modular home has an even stricter building code, as it needs stronger bracing and steel chassis so it could withstand the pressure imposed on them when transported. Quality standards are also strictly supervised and implemented by a construction manager.
- Cost – Because modular homes are built inside a factory, construction time is decreased greatly thereby reducing the costs.
Traditional benefits
- Top of the line luxury homes – If you intend to build a high-end luxury home, especially on a large scale, you'd be better off with a conventional building. Modular homes are not ideal for extremely large homes.
- Covenants of the land – Some new housing estates have covenants on the land that states only brick homes are allowed. Although it's possible to make a facade of brick walls for modular homes, however, this will raise the cost significantly. Undoubtedly, a conventional building is a better choice.
- Urban areas – Conventional buildings are by far a better fit in urban areas as power lines can be a big obstacle in transporting modular homes into the area.
In the end, the choice between a modular or conventional home boils down to different factors. You just need to consider which type fits your needs.