Sustainable Construction with Modular Buildings
Blog
Modular construction has been a growing trend in the construction industry, with many engineers, architects, and owners looking to get an edge on the competition. The modular construction method has been used for centuries, with the early adopters building quality housing when settling a new colony overseas. However, today, the controlled building method is still increasing in popularity with its manufacturing-like construction style.
Unlike traditional construction, modular construction takes place in a controlled factory environment. The modular structure is manufactured and put together in our specialized building facilities, much like a traditional assembly line. For our pre-assembled buildings, the units move step-by-step through our facility, adding value at each station.
Then at the end of the line, the buildings are ready for packaging and shipping. This streamlined process offers great cost savings to our customers with its efficient building process and short project timelines. However, our unique method of construction also helps Panel Built build sustainably.
Saving Time, Money, and the Environment
Operating in a factory environment provides efficiency beyond time and money for your building projects. For Panel Built, our modular building processes utilize many of the same materials and equipment from one project to the next.
For example, we use the same panel insulation materials for most of our projects for our panelized, prefabricated building systems. So, if we have too much or have some leftover from one project, Panel Built can easily repurpose the material for another project. In comparison, for stick-built projects, materials are more likely to be wasted or thrown away once they are no longer needed.
Repurpose Your Existing Structure To Make Something New!
Another factor in Panel Built's sustainability efforts is our buildings' semi-permanent nature. With our panelized buildings, our customers are provided incredible flexibility for the future because the wall panel systems can be easily uninstalled and repurposed. For example, if a manufacturer is looking to add an office for their facility, Panel Built can provide a simple 8ft x 8ft modular office solution.
However, as an expanding company, its office space will need to change again as they grow. With traditional construction, the manufacturer would be restricted with its options, needing to tear down a couple of the walls or being forced to add on to the existing office. With our panelized system, the manufacturer would be able to expand the office space to whatever size required while still using the original panels to create the new system. The company has provided future flexibility to expand its space without losing its initial investment.
Being Efficient With Your Time, Labor, and Energy
Finally, modular construction promotes sustainability through the overall efficiency of the modular building process. With an assembly line-like manufacturing process, the construction process is streamlined with labor and materials always in the right place at the right time. With the majority of the construction process occurring in this environment, there is minimal work to be done on-site. Once the building is off-loaded (depending on whether the building is pre-assembled or 'knock-down'), the building only needs to be off-loaded, unpackaged, anchored into place, and have all necessary hook-ups connected (power, wifi, etc.).
Compared to a traditional construction project, modular construction has fewer moving parts overall. With fewer people, machinery, and labor required at the project site, modular construction projects can reduce labor, power requirements, pollution created, and overall less disruption on-site.
Overall, there are several avenues to sustainability through modular construction. The process streamlines the building cycle reducing the overall energy and labor required to create the structure. Materials in a modular construction facility see far less waste than in a stick-built construction site. Any materials that are not used in the initial project can be repurposed for another project, thanks to the consistent use materials from project to project and having multiple building projects occur in the same space. And finally, Panel Built's unique panelize building design allows our customers future flexibility to adapt their modular buildings. If the company needs additional space in the future, Panel Built's modular systems are uniquely designed to adapt to their ever-changing needs.
If you have any questions about Panel Built and our line of modular buildings and structures, just let us know! We are more than happy to help with any questions you may have. You can reach us via email at info@panelbuilt.com, call us at 800.636.3873, or ask us in our LiveChat feature in the bottom-right of the page. With over 25 years in the modular industry, Panel Built's mission is, "To Solve Our Customers' Space Needs with Excellence and Great Customer Service."