A movement is taking place in an old methodology. Prefab or modular homes seem to be taking a very popular spot light in the green arena. This is not the old modular homes that most people think of, where the home is a square box split in half and resemble a double wide trailer home. These new breed of modular homes are quite stylish and green friendly.
There are a few things that make these green modular homes appealing. The basic principle of modular homes is to build in a controlled environment and utilization of material. Several companies are creating boxes of particular components like kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. These boxes are like building blocks that are assembled in many different configurations to create the home. This process can speed up the construction of the home.
What make a modular home to be considered green? Well if we look at what green building is all about we may understand even more. The primary goal is to reduce environmental impact and create a healthy living environment. Modular homes reduce the impact on the land, reduce waste of material and make many green products more economical buy using bulk purchase. Transportation is one huge factor, with fewer deliveries to the jobsite.
A great article on this process and the reasons for using modular homes can be found at Low Impact Living, in an article called Green Prefab Homes-Prefabulous!, Written by Jason Pelletier. They have covered this process very well and explain modular living in further detail.
Is there a future for prefab homes? Well if anyone that follows the financial news or the stock market will now how successful Warren Buffet has been. So what does Warren Buffet have to do with Prefab Homes? In an article posted May 8, 2009 in Environmental News Network, Warren Buffet is investing in Green Prefab Homes. Now everyone knows that anything Mr. Buffet touches seems to turn to gold. A Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary called Clayton Homes has just launched a green prefab home called I-Home. To read more about this go to Warren Buffet Company Debuts Line of Green Prefab Homes, By Jason Pelletier.
Not every home buyer is going to have an interest in prefab or modular homes but this may be the next big Green movement in the building industry. There are several companies that are giving the modular or pods a big push. The smaller size also makes it fit in the square foot per bedroom scale in all green certifications. The cost is ranging from $100 - $170 a square foot without land or site prep.
In the old space movies it showed people living in pods in space, well we are not quite there but we are living in pods on earth, just another step into the future of housing.
