In a world where new buildings and houses are popping up at every corner, people are always on the lookout for ways to ease the construction process. While that, in itself, has undergone massive changes in recent years thanks to all the technological advances, there’s still plenty of room for growth. In fact, we’ve only touched upon the tip of the constructional iceberg.
But perhaps one of the biggest challenges we’re facing today is finding an architectural solution that’s both cost-effective and functional, regardless of whether it’s a commercial or residential facility. This is particularly important for those of you that are on a budget since if things don’t work out, you’ll end up spending all of your money in vain. And that’s a risk that nobody’s willing to take.
Fortunately, there’s a bright, shining light at the end of this seemingly dark tunnel and it comes in the form of modular construction. If you’re feeling intrigued and want to know more about this construction phenomenon, you’re absolutely in luck because we’ve got that covered for you.
What Is the Purpose of Modular Construction?
The answer to this question is fairly simple – while traditional construction means that all elements are built on-site, the modular method takes on a different, more practical approach. Essentially, this means that all of the building blocks and units are finished off-site, within a carefully-curated factory environment.
For this reason, many people turn to prefabricated modular construction companies for the best results. By doing this, you get a plethora of materials that are much more durable and easy to use, both of which are extremely important factors that determine the longevity of the building.
What Are the Different Types of Modular Construction?
Generally speaking, there are two ways you can go about it. The main difference between the two lies the way in which the modular units are installed. It’s a good idea to have some basic knowledge of either method before you decide on which one is more suitable for your needs and preferences.
Panel Building
The idea behind this one is simple – first, you lay down the foundation as a whole and only then do you proceed to place each section of the walls one by one. The panels themselves are already fully completed at the factory so the only thing left for the workers to do at this stage is to assemble all the pieces together to create the final product.
If you’re looking to construct large buildings in vast open areas, then this is definitely the best way to do it. It gives you the ability to have more control over the look and feel of the structure, making room for potential adjustments and last-minute plans. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper to transport separate panels rather than moving a fully-constructed establishment all at once. But more on that in just a bit.
Unit Building
You know those dollhouses that have removable exteriors? The whole thing comes out in one piece and you have full access to the inside of the house. Well, that’s exactly what happens with modular unit building, just in the opposite order. Each box-like section of the building is completed inside the factory and then transported onto the site where they’re all put together as one. It’s basically like a huge 3D jigsaw puzzle.
Sure enough, the time required to finish the structure on-site is significantly lower since you get it delivered to you up to 90% complete. Unfortunately, this does mean that you’ll likely have to break the bank when it comes to transport, considering the size of the establishment itself.
How Long Do Modular Units Last?
Just because they’re assembled differently in comparison to what people used to do in the past, doesn’t mean that they’re any less sturdy or resilient to external weather conditions. Truth be told, buildings that are created using prefabricated modular construction are thought to last at least 30 years for relocatable models and up to 50 years for permanent solutions. That is, of course, you take proper care of the facility and don’t let it go to waste.
The good thing here is that if you start to notice signs of deterioration of any part of the building, it can easily be replaced or repurposed, given the divided nature of the structure. In other words, you don’t have to remodel the whole thing just because one part of it isn’t living up to your expectations. In the long run, this may well prove to be a very useful feature.
Why Should You Choose Modular Construction?
Since we’ve already gone through the basics of this trend, it’s time to look into the ways in which these quick built homes can benefit you. All ears already? Let’s dive in.
Convenient and Affordable
The fact of the matter is that most people don’t get the chance to build a facility from scratch all that often. Seeing as it’s such a rare occurrence, you want to do it right. With modular buildings, you have the ability to put together something that’s both practical and inexpensive, which is something we’d all appreciate in these trying times.
Reduced Construction Time
Do you know how many times workers had to put construction on hold because of the weather? Try as you might to pick out the ideal time of year to put things in motion, there’s no telling what Mother Nature has in store for the future. This is a real nuisance, especially if you’re running the clock on a tight schedule.
But see, when you’re setting up a structure in a closed environment, such as a workshop or factory, you immediately have more control over the quality and safety of all the materials. They’re all protected from the weather in earliest stages which inherently contributes to their resilience and longevity.
Evidently, this can save up a lot of time and effort. While all the separate components are being put together in a different location, workers can focus on preparing the construction site. As a result, the estimated time of completion is reduced by a whopping 30-50% which is definitely an admirable feat.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Last but not least, these types of homes produce very little waste which imminently helps save the environment. Most of them are even built from renewable materials so you’re not using up the natural resources. So if you’re willing to step into sustainability through modular homes, we’d definitely encourage you to do so.
Steven Bennett
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