Within the home building and construction industry, terms such as ‘modular’ and ‘prefab’ home design are often used interchangeably and this can be perplexing for many. For that reason, we will be delving deeper specifically into modular home design, what it encompasses, and what makes it a popular home building method in this day and age.
What is modular home design?
A modular home design typically refers to homes that are assembled together using factory-built components, modules, or sections. This can include a variety of parts, such as prefabricated metal structures, precast walls and roof, and more, that are manufactured elsewhere and later permanently installed at a dedicated site.
The final outcome of this home building method is very much similar to that of a traditional home building project in regards to quality and consistency. When done right, there will be no way of knowing that the home was constructed by connecting factory-built pieces together, unless of course that was the look and feel you were aiming for.
What is the difference between a modular and prefab home design?
A prefab home typically signifies any construction that does not take place directly at the site, whereas a modular home simply means that a fully built home was constructed by connecting several sections and then assembled on site. To that end, a modular home design almost always involves prefabrication, but not all prefabricated home designs are also modular. In fact, a modular home design is just one varietal of prefabricated home construction.
What are the benefits of a modular home design?
There are various reasons modular home design skyrocketed in popularity over the past couple of years and until today, remains as one of the most preferred home building methods. Not only is a modular home design more affordable than a traditional home build, a modular home design also commonly takes about 30 percent to 50 percent less time to complete as compared to a traditional home build. We’re breaking down some of the top advantages of a modular home design below:
Quicker Move-In
With a modular home design, the construction of the prefabricated modules of your home takes place indoors, and this means that all adverse weather conditions, which may impact the efficiency of the build process, can be avoided. Depending on the size and layout of your home, a modular home project can be completed in as little as 13 to 18 months from when all the necessary building approvals and permits are obtained for your preferred site. This means that the time required for the entire construction of your new modular home can be made more efficient by up to 80% as compared to a traditional home build.
Increased Accessibility
Modular homes are much more affordable to build, and this makes modular homes way more accessible for those looking to own a home, especially when the housing market is more competitive than ever. There are many reasons why modular homes do not cost as much as a traditional home build. A modular home is quicker to build as most manufacturers have standardised and automated operational processes in place when constructing these modules. On top of that, the assembly of these modules does not require a huge or specialised workforce. This, coupled with order aggregation and volume discounts, effectively lessens various costs, such as site overhead, labour, logistics, and construction management fees.
Sustainability First
A conventional home construction generates huge tons of debris and waste, which is detrimental not only for the environment but also human beings. On the contrary, a modular home construction produces significantly less waste, hence making it the more sustainable choice. On top of carefully selecting compatible materials that effectively reduce rework and waste, like low-carbon materials, manufacturers often work with like-minded suppliers that demonstrate a commitment towards supporting sustainability goals for the greater good. Additionally, modular homes nowadays are mostly designed to be energy-efficient, which again contributes to a more sustainable home.
Improved Design Flexibility
A modular home design allows for greater flexibility in regards to design, and this means that you can really customise your home to suit your lifestyle, needs, and preferences. Most firms that offer modular home construction, like Inplex, use complex design systems to help you formulate a design you will love for years to come. There are literally no design limitations, and the possibilities are endless, so you can be sure that your modular home design will uniquely represent you and what you seek in a home.
Reinforced Durability
Modules that are prefabricated for modular home design go through very stringent quality and safety standards set by regulatory bodies, and they are designed to be able to withstand the harshest of environments, such as heavy winds, storms, and even snow. Furthermore, the materials used to build these modules have been chosen strategically to support durability. For instance, Inplex prides itself on leveraging on Light Gauge Steel (LGS) as its core material for its modules as it does not deteriorate with time and boasts anti-rot and anti-warp properties.
What is the process like for a modular home build?
With custom build experts like Inplex, the process for a modular home build begins with the design phase, whereby a home design is chosen and a floor plan is customised. We do this through our proprietary Monomer Building System™, which breaks down into two parts – Monomer Design and Monomer Build. Subsequently, a soil test will be conducted at your preferred site and all the necessary paperwork required to begin on construction will be obtained. Meanwhile, the prefabrication for your home modules will begin in a factory off site. After that, all the prefabricated components will be delivered to the site and assembled accordingly prior to thorough inspections being carried out to ascertain the highest quality standards. We will then hand over your home to you, ready for you to move in.
What are some of the factors that may affect a build for a modular home design?
Depending on your site and location, there may be permits and zoning regulations that must be considered. On that note, since the modules will have to be delivered directly to the site, logistics plays a big role in the build. If the site is not very accessible for some reason or another, this will impact the build. Other factors to look out for include site preparation requirements and construction timelines.
The Way Forward
A modular home design is a smart investment that certainly should not be overlooked by those looking to build a home from scratch that guarantees long-term liveability. Besides enabling a quicker build that effectively cuts short your entire construction timeline and being increasingly accessible, a modular home design is more sustainable, allows for greater customisation, and is infinitely more durable when compared to a traditional home build. We dare say that it is the way forward, and with innovation at the forefront of architecture, modular home builds will only get increasingly advanced and seamless.
Ready to begin on your modular home design journey? Browse through the home designs on our website and let’s get started.