Prefab Homes: Modular and Panel Homes

Reader Contribution by Troy Griepentrog
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Modular homes. Manufactured homes. Prefab homes. Those words have many connotations, but “prefab homes” covers the broadest range of houses that are built — at least partially — somewhere other than the house’s actual site. Just about any construction style can fall into the prefab category, including timber-frame and log-home construction. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) can be incorporated into many prefab building styles.

Certain aspects of prefab houses make them environmentally friendly: With proper planning, fewer materials are wasted by manufacturing many similar houses in one factory, and leftover pieces are more likely to be used instead of going to landfills. Shipping modules to the building site uses significant amounts of energy, but if the materials are not partially assembled prior to arriving at the building site, they need to be shipped to the site, too (unless wood, rock or earth from local sources are available).

Prefab includes kits for do-it-yourselfers, but frequently contractors complete a prefab house on the building site. So if you find a style you like, you can hire someone to complete the project for you.

Two popular types of prefab homes are modular homes and panelized (panel) homes. Both of these methods produce traditional styles of houses. Finish work (usually including drywall and trim) is completed after the main structure is assembled and passes inspection. In most places, prefab houses must be approved by a local building inspector while the plumbing and wiring is still visible in the walls and after the house is finished.

Modular Homes

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