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Modular Homes: How Green Are They?

The concept of green homes is often misunderstood as being different from modular homes. Green homes are built to conserve energy and use sustainable materials that can be recycled or repurposed. Green homes are constructed using eco-friendly methods and processes that are not harmful to the environment. Due to the nature of the factory construction process, modular homes are considered green homes, in contrast to traditional stick-built homes. Why modular homes continue to gain popularity in the real estate market and why they are considered green homes are discussed in this article.

The Sustainability of Modular Homes

Modular homes are made to higher sustainable standards than regular homes because everything is done in a controlled environment. Typically, modular home manufacturers use a non-toxic or low-volatile organic compound. There are also prefab homes that are assembled on-site with eco-extras such as wildflower roofs. All the unique features of modular homes, from the materials used to the construction process, make them more sustainable than traditional construction methods. Furthermore, modular buildings contain embodied energy during construction.

Modular Home

In order to make a greener form of residential housing, modular home manufacturers use several processes. In addition to using renewable energy to reduce carbon footprints, on-site water treatment plants and buildings with renewable waste materials are some of these processes. Modular home construction improves sustainability in several ways. Prefabricated building materials can also minimize waste in tiling caused by poor workmanship, overordering, or cutting. Through the use of modular dimensions, this construction process can reduce waste in tiling.

Unique Aspects of Green Modular Housing

They Are Safe And Durable

The majority of prefab homes are made of steel, which doesn’t rot and is resistant to termites and other ground insects. In contrast to fresh timber, steel is made from recyclable materials. In areas with thunderstorms and strong winds, steel frames also stay straight. It is possible for timber to warp, shrink, move, or twist during and after construction, which can cause unexpected structural problems. Unlike traditional stick-built homes, steel is noncombustible and does not contribute to the spread of fire.

Uses An Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Process

The majority of steel produced in the world is produced in electric plants that generate zero carbon emissions and exclusively use recycled scrap as fuel. By-products of steel can be re-used, and modular home manufacturers ensure each module meets the necessary standards and undergoes a final inspection before being transported to the construction site. All operations take place in a factory or warehouse, which minimizes noise and disruption caused by open-air operations. With this eco-friendly construction process, modular homes are a great option for homeowners searching for affordable and efficient housing.

High Energy-Efficient Structure

The steel used in green modular homes requires fewer wall studs. Therefore, there will be fewer un-insulated areas (thermal bridges) to transmit heat. The wall studs remain more airtight because their frames do not warp or settle. The steel beam depth of modular homes provides a larger area for insulation, making them more energy-efficient. Since these homes are made of high-performance materials, they are more comfortable and save energy bills on heating and cooling because of their superior thermal insulation.

Recyclability Of The Building Material

There are a lot of building materials that are used in modular homes that are often recycled. As an example, steel from demolished buildings as well as other items found in the junkyard can be melted down, molded, and polished in order to create new steel structures using the steel from the demolished buildings. A traditional stick-built construction process does not entail the cutting of a large number of trees for the purpose of creating wood framing for an ordinary house, as it does in the traditional stick-built construction process. There is one good thing about modular homes, and that is that the steel that is used in the construction of the modules can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. As a result of this, all the components of steel frames which are used in modular structures can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle.

The above features of modular homes are more than enough to convince new homeowners who are searching for affordable, efficient, and durable housing on the market to choose modular homes. Both modular and regular houses have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the important thing is that you can always narrow down your options to find the one that suits your lifestyle, fits your budget, and provides you with the best value for your money.