Pre Fabricated Homes from Luxurious to Fabulous Mini homes
by Katalin Szubota
So what makes a pre-fab home green you ask? Lets first explore the different types of prefabricated building techniques which will help you decide which style you prefer and what fits your budget.
Web definitions
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Prefabricated homes, often referred to as prefab homes, are dwellings manufactured off-site in advance, usually in standard sections that can be easily shipped and assembled. Some current prefab home designs include architectural details inspired by postmodernism or futurist architecture.
Environmental Benefits of Prefabrication: They include minimized waste, reduced construction timelines, limited exposure to the elements, fixed cost, streamlined skilled labour, and limited site impact: Building in a centralized location allows for the utilization of leftover construction materials while a focus on employing all materials results in overall waste diversion up to 85 percent.
Types of pre-fab techniques:
Modular: It’s like big boxes put together and set with cranes onto site. It’s very predictable, and more environmental than conventional site building.
Panalized Building /SIPS (structural insulated panels) Whether you’re searching for green building products or just want to save money, structural insulated panels provide the answers you need for energy-efficient, easy construction that cuts utility bills every month. SIPs work in walls and roofs for new construction and additions, on foundations ranging from poured concrete to blocks and insulated concrete forms.
Steel Frame & Insulated Panels: Virtually is indestructible, renewable and recyclable. Steel framed buildings, manufactured using 5-Star Steel Frame System, can be produced very quickly and constructed using modular, prefab, build-on-site or transportable methods enabling construction flexibility for lower overheads, quicker manufacturing.
Advanced Framing Techniques: Using less wood, careful details, pre-cutting and panelizing some portions of the building are great way to build green homes.
Here are a few examples of how builders of pre-fab homes build their green homes.
- all homes are certifiable as green buildings (from USGBC LEED, Build-It-Green, Greenpoint Rated, etc.)
- use of prefabrication, and building in factories, is the most resource efficient and most sustainable form of wood-frame construction.
- all homes use healthy materials, with no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)
- use products with high recycled content, and cradle-to-cradle life cycle certification.
- design for solar panels and alternative energy systems.
- engineer net-zero energy homes.
- many homes have green roofs, water catchement, and other sustainable technologies.
- design many off-the-grid homes.
Now This is Fab. see more here
Built greener
- Structural steel frame is made of up to 90% recycled content and is 100% recyclable
- Every Blu home is LEED silver certifiable without additional upgrades
- Hardwood flooring options are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and sustainably farmed
- Every home is designed to maximize natural light using proper solar orientation and thoughtful architectural design
- Built within the controlled factory conditions of our U.S. factory to reduce waste and duration of on-site construction time
Energy-efficient
- Every home uses low-flow fixtures on faucets, shower heads and sinks
- Energy-efficient lighting and appliances are included in the cost of all homes
- Homes are built with rigid foam insulation that has the highest R-value per inch of any economical building materials
- Insulation is made with recycled materials and a soy-based binder to make your home comfortable at no detriment to the environment
- Homes have sealed seams over insulation and utilize expanding foam to seal any larger gaps and seams and are tested to measure any outside air infiltration
Healthier to live in
- Radiant floor heat keeps your home comfortable without circulating dust and allergens throughout your home
- Building within a climate-controlled environment keeps mold and moisture out of the building envelope
- Enjoy living with low or no VOC paints and finishes that are always formaldehyde-free
- Open spacious layouts maximize airflow and have systems in place to protect against stale or stagnant air
- Hard floor surfaces protect against allergens and molds
See More Blue Homes here
This is a must see tour of a fab mini green home, given by the owner.
THE FUTURE IS GREEN HOMES 