The Role of Prefabricated Construction in Today's Society

Prefabricated construction is assuming a more prominent role in today's society. Craft production was replaced by industrial production. Better use of machines and devices created the possibility of serial production, and the application of mechanization and automation. Instead of building on-site using raw materials such as lumber and bricks, many construction companies and developers are turning toward pre-assembled components that they fasten together.

Prefabricated construction relies on contemporary materials manufactured within specialized factories, creating substantial building blocks that can be later transported to the intended construction locations. This method involves pre-prepared construction, where on-site professionals assemble components produced off-site.
Prefabricated construction finds extensive application not only in residential building construction but also in commercial settings. It has been applied in projects as massive as entire campuses and smaller ones like prefabricated security booths. Prefabricated constructions have been in use since the 1830s and gained popularity during WWII when the US military employed the method in constructing. Since then, prefabs have been in use in nearly every region of the world. Below are some of the properties driving the adoption of prefabricated construction:

• Construction does not rely heavily on weather conditions
• More precise and better-quality work
• Economically friendly due to the serial production of a large number of identical elements
• Savings on labor and auxiliary materials such as formwork and scaffolding, etcetera

We will delve into these and other benefits in greater detail below:

1. Prefabricated construction is more environment-friendly

Prefabricated constructions play a significant role in achieving the globe's sustainable development goals. This method is more environmentally friendly than conventional construction, and studies have shown that prefabricated construction releases up to 70 percent fewer harmful gasses. Accordingly, low-energy prefabricated houses and buildings are first pivotal because of their energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction. In addition, low-energy prefabricated structures use up to five times less energy for heating and cooling.
Due to the indoor regulated manufacturing setting and supply preparation, prefabricated construction attains high accuracy and produces less waste. Ultimately, the reduced wastage and less energy and natural resource consumption during the production and construction phases lower the collective carbon footprint of the construction process. That improves the sustainability of the construction sector.

2. Pre-built assemblies aid faster construction

Demand for housing and other forms of infrastructure is high in many parts of the world today. As a result, governments and the private sector are constantly seeking ways to produce more units faster and at more affordable rates. One of the reasons prefabricated components are as popular as they are today is the speed and ease with which one can assemble them. The rapid construction of a prefabricated home ensures the prompt completion of the building. That reduces overhead costs and fast-tracks development.
There are more than a thousand assembly systems developed for residential construction. However, these systems are becoming more similar, as they gradually accept each other's improvements.
Today, it is difficult to imagine the construction of industrial and agricultural buildings – including halls for sports, cultural and similar events – without using prefabricated elements because they greatly reduce the construction time.

3. Prefabricated construction offers financial savings

Financial savings are among the critical advantages of prefabricated houses and top on the list of reasons why more families choose this type of construction. Prefabricated construction with good organization and choice of a suitable assembly system can tremendously lower construction costs. In many instances, assembly takes less time than a conventional building. Customers who select this alternative benefit from a high-quality, swift, and more affordable construction process. In brief, developers pay less for labor as assembly requires less time and skill than conventional from-scratch construction. They also incur lower overhead costs due to the increased speed of construction.

4. Prefabricated construction is safe and stable

Prefabricated construction typically demonstrates greater earthquake resistance compared to traditional construction methods. Prefabricated wood components exhibit a favorable response to seismic forces, thus mitigating mechanical harm to the structure and more efficiently managing elastic loads on the underlying soil. Every prefabricated construction component has a static calculation, determining the forces required to withstand earthquakes in the installation region.

5. Prefabricated construction is smart-home-ready

Prefabricated homes have a new place in today's market. Although prefabricated construction has long been a tried-and-true subset of the building industry, to create "smart" prefabricated homes, manufacturers have now opted to take automation a step further. Today, they integrate network wiring and digital components into prefabricated walls and other home structures. The ability to manage a home’s HVAC, security, and other features using a mobile phone from any place and at any time is attractive to buyers. Because of this, interest in prefabricated smart homes is continually increasing.

6. Better Quality Control

Prefabricated construction ensures consistency and better quality control in production. Construction components that are manufactured in a controlled, off-site environment are produced to exact industrial specifications. Outputs can be replicated on large scales with the use of machines in industrial production, without losing any features – resulting in uniform and higher-quality end products. The consistency and speed that come with prefabricated construction are vital features for tract developers who thrive on consistency to erect uniform units on large parcels of land.
Besides uniformity and controlled manufacturing, prefabricated construction improves the safety of workers and visitors to construction sites. Most prefabricated construction sites require the assembly of well-organized and often light pieces. The risk of major injuries from falling parts and heavy tools is significantly reduced with these smaller components.

Applications of Prefabricated Construction

Prefabricated constructions have been in use for centuries. As highlighted, the construction method offers several advantages, including reducing construction times, lowering construction costs, and improving sustainability. Because of these advantages, the technique has found broad application in constructing both commercial and residential buildings.

Commercial Buildings

The commercial construction sector largely uses prefabricated construction. Commercial prefabricated structures encompass green buildings, which utilize sustainable construction methods and materials. While conventional construction methods have the potential for developing green buildings, prefabricated construction offers a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to constructing such structures. Additionally, prefabricated components are employed in producing booths for exhibitions and conferences. These lightweight and portable parts remain serviceable for years before showing signs of wear and tear. This approach conserves energy and minimizes the overall carbon footprint of commercial buildings.
The industrial sector extensively adopts prefabs, employing them in the construction of various sizable structures, including warehouses, distribution centers, and factories. These large edifices make use of prefabricated components. Prefabricated and modular units meant for industrial uses also fall under this category.

Residential Buildings

The residential sector also widely employs prefabricated construction. In the residential construction sector, modular homes represent a type of prefabricated structure. These homes consist of modules manufactured within a controlled industrial setting and then transported to the construction sites for assembly. Modular homes are tailored to accommodate the preferences of their owners and are favored for their sustainability, efficient construction timeline, and economical nature.
Prefabricated homes or prefab accommodations are the other types of prefabricated structures in the residential sector. Constructed from prefabricated components, these structures are assembled on-site. They are designed to offer affordability, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness. Similar to modular homes, prefab accommodations are tailored to suit the specific requirements of homeowners.
Manufactured homes also play a significant role within the realm of residential prefabricated structures. These are built to specifications in the factory and transported to the site. The prefabricated components used in manufactured homes include exterior walls and roof trusses. Manufactured homes usually need to be placed on permanent foundations made of construction materials like cement and tiles.

Challenges of Prefabricated Constructions

Despite the many benefits of prefabricated construction, the method also faces challenges that stakeholders in the construction sector need to consider for the sustainability of the method. One such challenge is the limited ability to customize prefabricated structures. Essentially, once the prefabricated modules and parts have been manufactured, adapting them to align with a client's updated preferences and seamlessly integrate with the existing architecture can present challenges. However, with experienced personnel and thoughtful manufacturing, prefabricated structures are easier to adjust than brick-and-mortar structures.
Furthermore, the logistics associated with transporting prefabricated elements to the construction site can prove intricate and expensive. In certain jurisdictions, oversized components might necessitate special permits for road transportation, and shipping delays can lead to substantial escalations in construction expenses. In addition, without proper procurement planning, on-site storage of prefabricated modules can be problematic. Consequently, developers need to develop elaborate procurement plans and engage experts for a smooth prefabricated construction process.
As automation, robotics, and 3D printing continue to advance, the prefabricated construction sector is poised to expand and assume an increasingly central role in promoting sustainable development. These technological developments have improved the accuracy and efficiency with which manufacturers create complex building elements. Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems have also made it easier for engineers and architects to design and try prefabricated structures before construction commences, limiting the delays and errors involved in the process.
Overall, to fully exploit the benefits of prefabricated construction and drive rapid sustainable development, developers need to engage reliable experts.