Prefab (short for prefabricated) homes are houses built inside factories before getting shipped to their final destinations. The prime advantage of a prefabricated home is they are cheaper to build than average homes and take less time. It makes them a preferred choice for people who want to explore unique dwellings and live closer to nature.
You may also want to know how to get prefab homes and tips on choosing the best ones for your needs. This article offers a detailed guide to help you decide.
What is a prefab home?
A prefab home is a home built in a factory and then transported to the site where it gets assembled. These homes have been around for decades but are becoming more popular with homeowners as an alternative to traditional building practices.
Prefabricated homes get constructed using modular construction techniques. Modular construction involves building sections of the house off-site, transporting them to the building location, and assembling them on-site. This allows you to construct your home faster, cheaper, and with less waste than if you were to build it on-site from scratch.
Prefabricated homes come in all sizes and shapes — they’re not just one-story ranches or two-story colonials you might expect. If you love staying closer to a waterbody, you can consider opting for a prefab lake house. There are also many different types of materials used to make prefabricated homes, including concrete, steel, wood, and plastic laminate panels.
These homes are often cheaper than traditional stick-built ones because there’s less waste involved in manufacturing them off-site before transporting them to their destination for assembly on-site. They’re also easier for builders to install as they generally come with fewer parts than traditional homes.
Reasons to consider a prefab home?
Here are some reasons to consider a prefabricated home:
- Quality
Prefabricated homes are built according to the highest construction standards with better materials and craftsmanship than a traditional house. That’s because they get constructed in a controlled factory environment and are not exposed to the elements as they get built. To ensure quality, each prefabricated home gets inspected before it leaves the factory and after shipment to your site. - Durability
Because of their superior quality, prefabricated homes last longer than traditional ones. They get designed to withstand severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes without suffering damage from strong wind or shaking ground conditions. - Energy efficiency
Prefabricated homes have energy-efficient designs. It includes everything from insulation systems to high R-values for walls and roofs that help keep heat inside during winter months and reduce cooling costs in summer months by keeping out hot or cold air when it’s not needed. - Cost savings
The cost savings associated with buying a prefabricated home are significant compared to building a traditional one on your own property.
Differences between a prefab and modular home
There are several differences between a prefabricated and modular home. The most obvious difference is that one is built in a factory and the other at a construction site. It means prefabricated homes tend to be much closer to their final form when they leave the factory, while modular homes need more work before they are ready for occupancy.
Another difference is that prefabricated homes have better insulation because they often get installed in colder climates, where it is critical to keep heat from escaping through the walls and roof. Modular homes find use in warmer climates, where it’s not as big of a deal if there’s some extra heat loss through the walls or roof.
Modular homes usually have more standard features than prefabricated ones because homeowners can choose from several options. For example, if you want granite countertops in your kitchen or hardwood floors throughout your house, these options will likely be available with modular homes but not with prefabricated ones.
Benefits of living in a prefab home
The main advantage of prefabricated homes is the speed with which you can construct them. A traditional house built on-site will typically take between three and six months to complete. A prefabricated house can be ready for occupancy in less than a month. It is because all the components get manufactured off-site. There is thus no time lost waiting for deliveries or installing materials.
In addition to being fast, prefabricated homes are also cheap. They are cheaper because they require less labor and materials than traditional houses. However, they can still offer the same level of quality as custom-built houses. A prefabricated home may also look better than custom-built ones because they’re made from higher quality materials and have better designs than what you might see at a typical builder’s project.
Finally, many people buy a prefabricated homes because they’re environmentally friendly. They offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction methods that use lots of energy and resources during development and afterward when there are maintenance requirements for older homes.
Prefab home and standard building requirements
The benefits of prefabricated homes are undeniable. They are cheaper to build, easier to transport, and require less labor once they’re on site. But you may wonder if they meet standard building requirements. The short answer is yes.
If you buy a prefabricated house, the manufacturer will typically include documentation showing that it meets local building requirements. The documentation can be a letter from the manufacturer stating that their product meets the standard requirements for its intended use. For example, it can be a single-family home.
Bottom line
Prefab homes are gaining momentum over the last few years as environmental, social, and economic issues continue to rise. The emergence of prefab homes is not simply a fad of sustainability but a reemergence of a sensible way of living. What makes prefab homes appealing is they are cost-effective in construction and offer better living standards. They also give the ability for customization to fit the needs of buyers.
