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Modular construction doesn't refer to any particular architectural style, but rather an efficient construction process. Most traditional buildings are built on-site, but modular building uses prefabricated pieces made and assembled offsite in a factory environment. The prefabricated parts are assembled, transported and installed on the construction site nearly complete,reducing the amount of on-site construction and environmental impact. Modular buildings offers a number of benefits to the environment and can be considered a green technology.
In addition, prefabricated construction reduces waste. In the U.S., the construction industry is responsible for about 40% of overall energy use and 40% of the total greenhouse gas emissions.
Experts say that as much as 30 percent of the materials used for on-site construction are wasted and go into a landfill. That amounts to more than 130 million tons of waste per year. However, modular construction uses well-engineered components built in controlled factory environments, where waste can easily be minimized. Even more, factory-built components can be designed for maximum efficiency by expert designers. Materials or entire modular buildings can be reused and re-purposed.
The construction process is more energy efficient with modular technology. The parts are built in a factory and can be shipped to the site all at once. That is more efficient than the typical conventional construction site that has to make multiple runs for materials. Since modular building means that most of the work is done in the factory, the on-site assembly goes very fast with modular construction, vastly reducing the time of completion and ensuring deadlines are met. That means fewer trips to the site by construction workers and less energy consumed.
The overall indoor air quality of the final building can be better with modular construction. Outdoor moisture can impact wood frames during conventional construction processes. The moisture ends up being trapped inside the walls, leading to air quality problems.
Modular buildings can be disassembled, moved and reassembled. They can be recombined, recycled and re-purposed. Buildings made on site are not nearly as flexible or recyclable. Considering modular building’s greater efficiency, reduced waste and recyclability, it makes good sense to choose green modular construction over conventional methods.
Experts say that as much as 30 percent of the materials used for on-site construction are wasted and go into a landfill. That amounts to more than 130 million tons of waste per year. However, modular construction uses well-engineered components built in controlled factory environments, where waste can easily be minimized. Even more, factory-built components can be designed for maximum efficiency by expert designers. Materials or entire modular buildings can be reused and re-purposed.
The construction process is more energy efficient with modular technology. The parts are built in a factory and can be shipped to the site all at once. That is more efficient than the typical conventional construction site that has to make multiple runs for materials. Since modular building means that most of the work is done in the factory, the on-site assembly goes very fast with modular construction, vastly reducing the time of completion and ensuring deadlines are met. That means fewer trips to the site by construction workers and less energy consumed.
The overall indoor air quality of the final building can be better with modular construction. Outdoor moisture can impact wood frames during conventional construction processes. The moisture ends up being trapped inside the walls, leading to air quality problems.
Modular buildings can be disassembled, moved and reassembled. They can be recombined, recycled and re-purposed. Buildings made on site are not nearly as flexible or recyclable. Considering modular building’s greater efficiency, reduced waste and recyclability, it makes good sense to choose green modular construction over conventional methods.
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