{"id":32504,"date":"2017-04-07T14:56:42","date_gmt":"2017-04-07T13:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=32504"},"modified":"2017-04-07T14:56:42","modified_gmt":"2017-04-07T13:56:42","slug":"factory-built-homes-many-benefits-self-builders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/factory-built-homes-many-benefits-self-builders\/32504\/","title":{"rendered":"Factory-built homes have many benefits for self-builders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive, Structural Timber Association explains why factory-built homes are becoming an increasingly attractive way of building<\/h2>\n

Greater prefabrication offers more control over quality, productivity and predictability \u2013 making offsite construction a great choice for self-builders. With impressive environmental credentials, combined with cost and time efficiencies, structural timber systems<\/a> are rapidly becoming the building material of choice – currently accounting for around 75% of the self-build market.\u00a0 The solutions are becoming more \u2018factory-built\u2019 with greater prefabrication as part of controlled manufacturing processes rather than via construction on site.<\/p>\n

Optimising quality, productivity and predictability<\/h3>\n

The terms \u2018offsite manufacture\u2019 and \u2018offsite construction\u2019 are now entering the self-build vernacular, and very much replacing the historic \u2018prefab\u2019, which can engender negative connotations. Modern options can help to optimise quality, productivity and predictability. In fact, the UK government is now championing offsite methods as a potential silver bullet in resolving the wider housing crisis.<\/p>\n

But what do these terms really mean? Well, fundamentally they describe structural systems that are factory-manufactured to an advanced level to allow for onsite assembly (as opposed to construction) via controlled installation processes.<\/p>\n

Exact levels of prefabrication can vary, from factory-\ufb01tted insulation and pre-cut service channels through to panels that come complete with windows and doors already installed. Even internal \ufb01nishes and external cladding can be pre-applied \u2013 especially where volumetric modular building techniques are used.<\/p>\n

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Built-in benefits for self-builders<\/h3>\n

Offsite manufactured structural timber systems have advanced greatly in recent years, and they can offer genuine cost, programme and performance assurances for self-builders.<\/p>\n

Indeed, intelligent, integrated construction systems such as closed panel timber frame, structural insulated panels (SIPs) and volumetric modular options are now driving innovation in the timber industry \u2013 giving you more choice than the classic kit systems and panelised solutions.<\/p>\n

With standards for ef\ufb01ciency constantly ramping up, the construction industry as a whole has faced a real challenge in creating homes that achieve the actual energy performance that\u2019s speci\ufb01ed in the design brief. The accuracy and control involved in using timber-based offsite technology overcomes this issue.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not perfect for every project, of course \u2013 if your plot suffers from restricted access, for example, highly-manufactured options may not be suitable. But combine the enhanced energy ef\ufb01ciency of these advanced systems with shorter construction timescales, guaranteed build quality and vastly reduced ongoing running costs for the life of the building, and it\u2019s clear that there are compelling reasons to specify these solutions for your project. When it comes to measuring value, taking all of these factors into the equation shows that structural timber systems are a cost-effective option.<\/p>\n

Compelling reasons to choose an offsite route<\/h3>\n

Here are the key advantages of opting for an offsite manufactured solution for your project:<\/p>\n