There is no doubt that prefabrication does not limit the use of materials needed to build a structure. As the process of prefabrication offers numerous other advantages over traditional construction. Materials have proven to be a classic example of the basic construction material used in modular construction. Ranging from wood to steel and even concrete. However, it is important to note that not every manufacturer will provide them all. Thorough research would be required to find out who is a master at producing what. But in the end, it is very likely for you to find your answers and get that perfect prefab office unit own what you were looking for!
Modular solutions made of wood for office unit prefabrication
Wood has been a primary building material for thousands of years. This versatile material has been widely used in basic construction, furniture, home furnishing and other industrial products. As humanity has witnessed the unique properties of this building material, the product seemed to gain even more importance.
Timber is then usually used for residential or small commercial purposes. These timber frame buildings are built using two techniques - conventional stick frame or timber frame construction. In timber frame construction, the most sustainable and modern solution, comparatively less wood is used for construction. While offering energy efficiency, earthquake and hurricane resistance and high strength. The only drawback here is the unavailability of labour to build this type of structure. Unlike the stick frame structure which is widely common and is easy to build. If you like the natural and rustic feel of wood indoors in the form of exposed wooden rafters and beams, opting for timber frame construction is highly recommended. Certain timber homes and forest retreats use the timber modular sections in their construction.
So, what makes wood an ideal construction material? Is it a good insulator, is it resistant to termites and fungi, and is it affordable? Does it have a long lifespan and is it flexible in design? Is it durable and strong? Yes, we understand that these questions are haunting your mind - and we have the solutions to them!
Wood - a step towards sustainability
Locally harvested and grown lumber is one of the best solutions to reduce excessive waste. This reduced waste both on and off site minimises the environmental impact of a project. Since the dimensions and sizes of the modules are predetermined and calculated, the resulting waste is automatically minimised. Again, waste pollutes our precious Planet Earth - why not use wood to help our home a little? But before you decide to do so, let's discuss what wood has in store for us!
On the other hand, wood is natural, renewable and biodegradable. Wood has a lower carbon footprint than steel or concrete and can remove 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually - almost as much as taking 4.4 million cars off the road! Great, isn't it? Perhaps it can also be reused and recycled - ultimately making this material a "go-to" material when building modular homes.
Wood - Strength and Resistance
Since this timbre construction is also much lighter, it is apparently more resistant to earthquakes. So, for all earthquake-prone states, here's a big advantage for you!
Wood - an affordable product
Prefabrication generally saves you money in the bigger picture! However, the affordability of timber construction can be absolutely subjective. Depending on the quality of finish of materials, architectural design, dimensions, location, local economy and mobility, your timber modular home may vary. If the envelope is well designed, you will also save on future maintenance and repair costs. And because of its ability to absorb and release moisture, the material proves to be even more durable and strong. However, it is a given that these homes last much longer - and thus save money at every step!
Concrete modular solutions for precast office unit
Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials - both on site and off - and is testament to its versatility and great structural strength. Compared to traditional concrete construction, this modular concrete production offers both time- and cost-saving opportunities. Precast concrete construction is comparatively a more time-consuming process than timber frame construction and is therefore used in a variety of building functions, such as office unit precast. But also for multi-unit housing, hospitals and medical centres, schools, and shopping centres.
Modular concrete structures comprise the precast concrete beams, columns, foundations and floor slabs, which are later transported and assembled on site with the help of professional supervision. The voids for door and window frames are pre-cut and pre-designed at the factory itself. In this method, hollow concrete blocks or dense concrete are sometimes used to construct the walls with specified reinforcement.
Concrete modules are very flexible in design and are much faster and more efficient to build. However, they do require the first professional construction drawings, as even a small mistake can delay work for weeks on site - and no one can afford that, right? So, before you definitively choose concrete as your basic construction material, here are a few tips, advantages and disadvantages you should be prepared for! After all, you plan to live in that house for years - you have the right to know the good and bad! So, let's take a closer look!
Concrete - highly durable and strong
Walking through the streets of the city's major downtowns, we mostly see concrete, steel and glass blending into each other. Isn't it? Whether it is a skyscraper or a medium-sized building, why is concrete usually the material of choice for these structures? The answer is simple. It has amazing durability and strength.
Concrete structure is easily resistant to corrosion, acid, and termite attack. Forget about your structure being damaged by rain, wind, or possible decay during excessively humid climates. Not only that, concrete is a great solution for extreme climates - whether too cold or too hot - concrete will not be affected!
It is very likely for your concrete modular house to last for years with very little maintenance. Yes, this is true. However, keep a note of the manufacturer you buy your house from - a well-cured structure with quality materials and careful construction is definitely going to give you better results!
Concrete - Expensive and time-consuming
Comparatively more expensive than timbre construction, concrete modular homes overall still end up saving money compared to concrete traditional construction. The amount of labour required for precast is lower than the actual curing of the concrete on site. Since these modules are pre-designed in the factory itself, they tend to be precise, custom-designed with less waste. This saves a lot of time and surprisingly indirect costs such as loans and mortgage interest for construction!
Although the initial investment is expected to be higher based on the heavy machinery and skilled labour required, you still get a fair share of the price in the later stages! The process of building a precast concrete building takes relatively more time due to curing of concrete in the factory.
Concrete - not durable or flexible
Here comes a drawback! Modular concrete construction is not flexible enough compared to timber construction. For example, if any of the structural walls need to be changed, the entire strength and stability of the material will be greatly affected. So it is a 'do it once' kind of work. Transport and handling facilities can also be a problem here. Precast concrete walls, beams and columns are massive and require extra handling with subtle shock absorbers when transported to the construction site. Therefore, extreme care is required.
Precast concrete is not as environmentally friendly as wood, but it is usually recycled - so somehow you are contributing to the planet!
Steel modular solutions for prefab office unit
Well, all these high-rise buildings and skyscrapers in Dubai, Chicago and Hong Kong are made of prefabricated steel modules. Metals are definitely a win-win solution when it comes to formability, strength, thermal conductivity, precision in design and durability. Prefabricated steel structural solutions are widely used in large open spaces, mostly for commercial or industrial use. Some striking examples include skyscrapers, warehouses, halls, garages, industries, and large factories. Steel could certainly be used for simple residential purposes; however, it would cost twice as much in terms of material and labour.
One of the notable examples around the world of using steel modular sections is McDonalds. In the restaurant and drive-thru, these welded steel sections have made it much easier and faster to build the structure in just a few weeks.
Building steel modular products has also proven to be a much easier solution for transportation and installation. On the other hand, the high cost makes it an expensive process. For these prefabricated buildings, steel and galvalume are used to protect the cladding! Some pros and cons associated with metal modular construction - so, let's see if steel is the ideal material or not!
Steel - As strong as "steel
There is a comparison with the strength of a product - and that is when it is compared to steel! Since this material is known for its strength, there is no doubt that it is widely used in the construction industry. Especially in modular construction. Steel has a high tensile strength. So no matter how big the overall structure is, the small steel sections will always be lightweight. Unlike other building materials. This makes it easier to install and transport.
If you plan to choose steel as your base material, it is time for you to forget about durability issues. If properly maintained, it will give you good results for years and years. While it is also resistant to natural disasters like earthquakes, storms, and cyclones. Steel structures are also highly recommended for massive buildings with larger spans.
Steel - will not catch fire easily but will rust
That's right - if we compare these three building materials, steel ends up coming out on top! It is the most fire-resistant material compared to concrete and wood. However, comes a problem that the other materials play a significant - metals tend to rust easily.
Because of this property, metals are often painted with expensive paints from time to time. This prevents unnecessary rusting and corrosion.
Steel - Flexibility to the point
Minor changes in the design of the structure are unlikely to affect the overall strength of the system. You can cast the steel units in any shape and it would not change its properties. Great, right? It is also easy to install off-site with extreme energy efficiency principles and the least amount of waste. So very conducive to overall quality and least affected by termites, fungi and pests.
Steel is also resistant to high wind pressure. Hence, the overall structure is expensive to build and easier to build!
So, which material do we actually choose for your prefab office unit?
So, which material do you like best for your prefab office unit? Is it the sustainability of wood, the strength of steel or is it the longevity of concrete?
They all have their positives and negatives. But depending on the type of structure, functionality, height, usage and overall design preferences, you can choose what is best for your prefab office unit requirements. With ever-growing technology, we are now lucky to see wooden towers as well. So really anything is possible, as long as we choose the right manufacturers and understand the right use of the building.
