ᐅ Differences Between Prefabricated Houses and Alternative Building Methods?
Created on: 5 Feb 2015 18:18
Q
Questioner
Hello,
I am new to this forum and not entirely sure if this is the right place for my questions. We are planning to build a house within the next two years, and I’m starting to feel a bit overwhelmed because I can’t find clear—and especially neutral—answers to my questions.
I’m already uncertain whether to choose a prefabricated house or a solid (conventional) house. There is also something called a “prefabricated solid house” that many people mention, but I have never really found any information on it because all I come across are pages from prefabricated house manufacturers.
Nowadays, almost every prefabricated house supplier advertises how energy-efficient their houses are. However, the materials used in the construction and the advantages they bring are only revealed in personal conversations. Naturally, every manufacturer uses different materials and claims theirs are the best.
Most prefabricated houses are apparently mainly built from wood and drywall panels (at least on the inside). While energy efficiency is very important to me, it’s also crucial that the house isn’t noisy and that I can hang my 40kg (88 lbs) TV on the wall without the wall collapsing. And, of course, that the house still stands after a storm...
Does anyone here really understand the differences between the various prefabricated house manufacturers—not just in terms of service and price, but in quality? And what exactly is behind a “prefabricated solid house”? I imagine it involves masonry or concrete walls being delivered ready-made...
I would be very grateful to anyone who could shed some light on this!
Best regards!
I am new to this forum and not entirely sure if this is the right place for my questions. We are planning to build a house within the next two years, and I’m starting to feel a bit overwhelmed because I can’t find clear—and especially neutral—answers to my questions.
I’m already uncertain whether to choose a prefabricated house or a solid (conventional) house. There is also something called a “prefabricated solid house” that many people mention, but I have never really found any information on it because all I come across are pages from prefabricated house manufacturers.
Nowadays, almost every prefabricated house supplier advertises how energy-efficient their houses are. However, the materials used in the construction and the advantages they bring are only revealed in personal conversations. Naturally, every manufacturer uses different materials and claims theirs are the best.
Most prefabricated houses are apparently mainly built from wood and drywall panels (at least on the inside). While energy efficiency is very important to me, it’s also crucial that the house isn’t noisy and that I can hang my 40kg (88 lbs) TV on the wall without the wall collapsing. And, of course, that the house still stands after a storm...
Does anyone here really understand the differences between the various prefabricated house manufacturers—not just in terms of service and price, but in quality? And what exactly is behind a “prefabricated solid house”? I imagine it involves masonry or concrete walls being delivered ready-made...
I would be very grateful to anyone who could shed some light on this!
Best regards!
W
willWohnen6 Feb 2015 15:15I would avoid using expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation on the exterior facade. In our multi-family building, a corner near the front door has already been dented, likely by someone carrying an object that hit it. It’s also difficult to install things like an exterior light fixture on this type of insulation.
If you use polystyrene at all, it’s better to have it inside hollow cavities within the masonry.
If budget is not an issue, you can build thicker walls with any material, which will definitely provide better thermal insulation and overall protection. Also, in my opinion, deep window reveals look very attractive.
If you use polystyrene at all, it’s better to have it inside hollow cavities within the masonry.
If budget is not an issue, you can build thicker walls with any material, which will definitely provide better thermal insulation and overall protection. Also, in my opinion, deep window reveals look very attractive.
I
Irgendwoabaier6 Feb 2015 18:41ypg schrieb:
Then you should avoid timber prefabricated houses: solid construction offers better sound insulation and less sound transmission.That reminds me, I could do a comparison at the next handball event here. The neighbor to the south built in the early 1980s – with brick. The neighbor to the north in 2013 with 365mm (14 inches) aerated concrete, and we built a timber frame in 2014 with cellulose insulation (and wood fiber in the service layer). Our total wall thickness is 345mm (14 inches).
That would probably be an interesting comparison under tough conditions.
Otherwise, I can hear football training better when I go down to the basement – even though we have 365mm (14 inches) aerated concrete walls and a concrete ceiling down there...
I believe that sound insulation is more of a "that was the case in the past" thing. Modern exterior walls of timber houses achieve 50 dB and more. Windows usually allow more sound to pass through, and you have those in brick houses as well. Interior walls made with drywall construction are apparently not that bad either in terms of sound insulation.
W
willWohnen6 Feb 2015 19:47Or a log house with thick, solid timber walls. That is probably one of the most expensive options available. Ideally made from full logs rather than cut planks.
I find the idea quite fascinating. Warm, natural exterior walls. Such a house would also be very durable. And you could hang all your household items directly on the walls.
I find the idea quite fascinating. Warm, natural exterior walls. Such a house would also be very durable. And you could hang all your household items directly on the walls.
EveundGerd6 Feb 2015 19:55The selection is vast, so I agree with Yvonne: just read through the forum and form your own opinion or identify your preference.
Have fun with it.
Have fun with it.
U
Username_wahl6 Feb 2015 21:20We also visited both brick-and-mortar and prefab house sellers. Since neither option ultimately convinced us, we are now working with an independent architect who is building everything exactly the way we want, in our case as a timber frame structure.
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