Modular Construction

If you want to buy a home or are still working out your building plan, you should know the advantages of modular construction over traditional building methods. You can be sure that modularly built housing units are more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and long-lasting than other types of buildings.

Modular construction is a new, eco-friendly way to build buildings. It uses green manufacturing techniques to build whole buildings off-site in stages, or modules, which are then brought to the building site. It is a modern way to build that uses parts that have already been cut, sized, and molded. These parts arrive at the site in volumetric and panelized modules.

In modular construction, there are an infinite number of ways to put together and use the different modules, but they can mostly be put into five categories:

1. Two-dimensional systems with panels: Panelized systems are also called non-volumetric pre-assembly systems. They can have either open panels that are not insulated or closed panels that are insulated. When the panels are open, they can be used to make windows and doors, electrical wiring and plumbing, and other parts of a house, such as the outside of the house and the inside of the electrical wires.

2. Volumetric three-dimensional systems: In these systems, spaces like bathroom pods and plant rooms are made in a factory and then put together in units. Then, these completed units are put into the building. These can also be large parts of a building that leave the factory already clad and lined.

3. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional parts: When these systems are made away from the site, they aren’t quite finished. Most of these are made up of smaller parts like stairwells, doors, and windows that are made in a factory. Since these aren’t finished when they leave the factory, their connections, joints, and infiltration are all checked when they get to the construction site.

4. Hybrid systems: These systems are the most common in the construction industry. They are a mix of both volumetric and panelized systems.

5. Complete building parts: The exterior of the whole building is made in a factory and is finished to the highest standard. After the building units have been moved to the site, more work is done on them in the factory. Because of their size and weight, it is hard to move these units, which makes them a less popular choice for modular construction.

The modular construction method is cheaper and uses less energy than traditional building methods. It is also faster than traditional building methods. There are also a number of other benefits that make it a better way to build. Before deciding on one method, homebuyers or people building their own homes should look into and compare the pros and cons of all of them.

1. Short time to build – When compared to traditional building methods, modular construction can speed up the building process by 30–50%. With prefabrication, the inside, the outside, and the foundation can all be built at the same time, without having to worry about weather delays.

2. Eco-friendly – The carbon footprint of modular building is much smaller than that of traditional building because it uses recycled building materials. The amount of waste made by this method of building is kept to a minimum by building different modules away from the site.

3. Minimized expenditure – Most companies that do prefabrication also offer design services, so you may not need to hire an architect. Also, a shorter amount of time spent building means less money spent on labor. Each part is made with a set amount of wood, concrete, and rebar, so none of the materials are wasted.

4. Quality Control – In this way of building, the most important things are high tolerance and quality control. Modular building parts are made and put together in controlled environments, which protects the structure from any shocks. When building takes place in a closed space, problems like warped wood are less likely to happen.

5. Flexible to use – In modular buildings, new and flexible structural systems are used. For example, elevator shafts, terrace patios, stairwells, and even whole hallways can be moved around in the floor plan without hurting the structure because of torsion.

6. Problems with modular building – Modular construction has its own set of problems, just like any other building method. If you want to buy a home built with modular technology, you should know about these problems and be ready for them.

7. Financing limitations – Most payments for modular construction must be made upfront or in installments as each part or unit is built or put together. Most banks in India don’t have rules for modular construction, which could make it hard for you to get a housing loan to help with this process.

8. Low resale value – Since modular construction is just starting to catch on in India, the market has a bad reputation about it. People think wrongly that these buildings aren’t very good, which makes it hard to sell them.

9. Few design options – Only a small number of construction companies have fully realized the potential of modular technology, so most builders only offer you a small number of designs and layouts that may be out of date.

10. Flaws in the finishing – Because the parts of modular construction are small, the finished structure may have protrusions that make it look and feel bad. Because of shrinkage, walls and slabs could sometimes get cracks.