Since childhood, most of us have formed an idea of how houses are built. First, the foundation is laid, then the walls are erected, then the roof, windows, and all other components, and this happens at the place where the house will later stand. However, both the architectural and construction industries are keeping pace with progress and now some houses are partially or completely assembled at factories, and then they are transported to the landlord’s site.
Such constructions are called prefabricated houses and builders distinguish two main types, namely, panelized or modular. At first glance, it may seem to an ignorant person that they are no different, however, this is not the case.
In this review, we will tell you what panelized and modular houses are and present you with a list of key differences between them. This information will help you decide which of the prefabricated home configurations best meets your requirements and needs.
Panelized Prefabricated Homes
Prefabricated homes that are panelized are made by assembling sections of the structure in a factory, then transporting them to the construction site. The panels are designed to include walls, floors, and roofs, with pre-cut openings for fixtures such as doors and windows. Upon arrival, the panels are erected and joined together to form the complete home.
A significant benefit of panelized prefabricated homes is their versatility in design. Since the panels are constructed to exact measurements and requirements, it is relatively simple to make changes to the design to meet the homeowner’s preferences. Additionally, panelized homes are often more cost-effective than modular homes, as they require fewer customizations and can be put together more quickly.
Modular Prefabricated Homes
If you have played the game “Tower Bloxx” or at least Tetris, then you will immediately have a complete idea of what a modular house is. This is a construction that is divided into blocks, each of which represents a separate room or a section of several rooms. When the work on the blocks ends, they are connected into a single house and transported to their destination.
Modular houses are more technologically advanced than panel houses because, at the module assembly stage, they can be equipped with everything necessary, starting with life support systems and ending with additional insulation for windows or roofs.
Prefabricated Homes Key Differences
From the description of panel and modular houses, you could already emphasize some differences, however, this topic should be disclosed in more detail to form the most complete picture.
We identify five fundamental differences between these categories of prefabricated houses:
- Transportation time. Panel houses resemble a Lego set because they can be disassembled into small elements, loaded into one container, and shipped anywhere in the world. The panels are not large, so they can be moved in a regular truck. On par with this, the modules are a huge and heavy structure, which will require either a massive truck or a container on a sea vessel, which makes transportation more expensive.
- Speed of construction. In this component, the advantage is again on the side of panel houses, because even at a slow pace, builders will spend 1.5 months to complete the construction process. In parallel with these, work on the modular house project will take at least three months.
- The amount of waste. You have probably seen how a pile of repair debris accumulates next to a house under construction, for the removal of which a whole dump truck is required. In the case of prefabricated houses, such a problem will not arise. They are as eco-friendly as possible and when they are installed, there is not much waste left, since builders effectively use every board or screw.
- Durability and wear resistance. The layout of panel houses is developed taking into account all external stimuli that can affect the design. As a result, the completed building turns out to be strong, durable, and capable of serving for several decades without major repairs. Modular houses are also strong, but with the difference that, depending on the situation, they may need additional protection or reinforcement.
- Energy efficiency. If you do not want to pay huge utility bills, then your choice is panel houses, living in which reduces payments by an average of 50-60%. In comparison with a multi-story house, a modular house is also energy efficient, reducing bills by 30%, but losses in this component to a panel house.
Overall, now you know not only about the pros of prefabricated houses but also about their differences. We hope that this information will help you make the perfect pick.
Creative Ideas for Modular and Panelized Homes
Prefab homes have one similarity that sets them apart from other buildings, namely, the possibility of customization, since the structure of prefab houses does not belong to mass production, the developer company can satisfy any wishes of the client.
Here are some creative customization ideas that you can take note of:
- Non-trivial form. The corners of the house deserve the most attention here. We are used to the fact that they are a right triangle, however, in the case of prefab houses, you can choose a layout with semicircular corners, in the form of an obtuse angle or a polyhedron.
- Customization of panels. If you want to become the owner of a house with walls on which beautiful patterns will be carved, then even at the stage of preparing the boards, you can ask to put drawings on them.
- Unique layout. In the scenario of modular houses, you can ask to arrange the modules the way you want. For example, when creating a three-story house, you can leave a module with a kitchen and a hall on the ground floor, equip the second floor with a bathroom, a bedroom, and an office, and place blocks with a children’s room and a pantry on the third floor.
On the whole, both panelized and modular prefabricated homes offer numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and quick construction time. While there are some differences between these two types of homes, they both provide unique opportunities for creative design and customization. Whether you pick a panelized or modular home, you can be confident that you are making a wise investment in a high-quality, durable, and beautiful living space.
