A flat-pack home, also known as a modular or prefabricated house is quickly becoming a top choice in the construction industry. Built using wooden structural insulated panels that can be clad in almost any material, these homes are worlds away from the poorly constructed prefab homes built in the UK following the war. In 2021, a modular home is modern, sustainable, and perfect for a unique home that offers less of the challenges of a traditional self-build. With around 7% of newly built homes in the UK each year being modular, more and more people can appreciate the benefits they offer. That is not to say that they don’t also come with some downfalls. We’ve put together a quick summary of the pros and cons that come with a flat-pack home.
Pros
A prefabricated home is a beneficial investment for numerous reasons. Firstly, they are often cheaper than traditional brick-built homes. This is in part due to their relatively quick time frame, with the average time from conception to completion being cut almost in half when compared to a traditional build. This includes the cost of construction and manufacture, as labour fees are lower due to the speed at which the house can be constructed on-site. Modular homes are also a good investment as they tend to be extremely environmentally friendly, with some achieving U-Values as low as 0.10W/m²K, reducing CO2 emissions from the property. This saves you money in the long term as the house stays warm in the winter with little heating needed, and cooler in the summer. Historically, prefabricated homes were rushed and of poor quality, however, in the 21st century, modern methods of construction have allowed for these homes to have extremely high quality-control. They are manufactured off-site using measuring and cutting machinery which allows for a higher degree of accuracy when compared to traditional on-site builds.
Cons
Prefabricated homes are quickly becoming popular, however, there are some downfalls that you should be aware of when looking to purchase this type of home. The largest downfall of a modular house is that, because it is manufactured off-site, the measurements must be sent to the manufacturer exact, with no room for error. The panels cannot be altered on-site to match changing conditions. In addition to this, once constructed, a modular house is extremely difficult to change, for example, adding an extension or restructuring internal layouts would prove challenging. Due to this, it is important your designs are accurate from the beginning. A modular house will also need to be transported by road, and you may be limited in size and design to accommodate the height and weight limits on the roads.
A flat-pack home is an ideal choice for any self-built house, as they are a cheaper investment and provide numerous benefits once constructed. At SIPS UK, we can cater for both the smaller developer looking to create an eco-estate to the ambitious self-builder looking for their perfect home. With bespoke manufacturing capabilities, we can offer individual homes for all our clients. Get in touch with a member of the team today on 01933 353501 or email us at [email protected] for more information.