Prefabricated houses: a practical and ecological concept

Pre-fabricated houses bring practicality and economy to your work. The available models include sustainable houses, modern designs and quality in construction. During this article, the architect Leonard Grava explained the subject, clarified doubts and talked about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of housing. Read on!

What are prefabricated houses?

According to Leonard, prefabricated houses are built using parts or modules that are manufactured off-site, so the professional only needs to assemble them on the site chosen by the client. In addition to the modules being highly customizable, the construction time is shorter and the waste of materials is practically non-existent.

How do prefabricated houses work?

There are several types of pre-fabricated houses: "In the case of wooden houses, for example, the client will choose the model from a catalog. It is necessary to consider the size of the lot, personal taste, and the investment the owner is willing to make. There are models in which only the construction system is pre-molded, i.e., the house is assembled according to a specific project", explains the architect.

Benefits of prefabricated houses

Besides being functional, building a prefabricated house offers different benefits. Leonard Grava cited a few:

• Fast execution: because they are pre-molded parts, the assembly is much faster than the schedule of a traditional construction site.
• Cleanliness: For the same reason as the interior item, the accumulation of debris is practically non-existent. The parts are shipped in exact quantities and sizes.
• Better site management: When buying a prefabricated house, you will have a closed and exact value for the construction.
• Manufacturing warranty: any damage caused during the installation of the precast house or during the period stipulated by the company can be covered by the warranty offered.
• Cost-effective: In addition to labor, the investment in building materials becomes much more timely.
• Sustainability: saves the environment from waste, non-recyclable waste, and pollution caused by traditional construction sites.

For those in a hurry and environmentally responsible, prefabricated houses go beyond a cheap housing solution. They are part of a sustainable and conscious lifestyle.

Types of prefabricated houses

There are 3 popular types of prefabricated houses. The difference is in the materials used and the assembly process. Below, Leonard points out the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Wooden houses

"The most common model is the prefabricated wooden house, which has pillars and beams made of solid wood profiles, with clips of the same material, and a roof made of ceramic tiles", explains the professional.

Advantages:

• Reduced construction time;
• Clean construction site;
• Normally, the companies already carry out the legalization with the condominiums and local city halls;
• Manufacturing warranty.

Disadvantages:

• Poor acoustic performance for high traffic places;
• Constant maintenance;
• Because they are ready-made projects, they allow little customization according to the owner's taste;
• Very hilly terrain can make the project more expensive.

Houses with metallic structure

According to Leonard, metal frame houses, also known as Light Steel Frame, are widely used in the U.S. to replace traditional wooden houses. They are composed of a lightweight metal "skeleton" and plaster or cement board siding.

Advantages:

• Reduced construction time;
• Light structure, allowing little or almost no foundation;
• Clean job;
• Manufacturing warranty;
• High thermal and acoustic performance;
• Ease of customization for every taste. The design allows for great variation of shapes.

Disadvantages:

• Brazilian consumer mistrust related to structural weakness;
• High cost due to lack of demand;
• Limited flooring;
• Lack of manpower for both execution and maintenance.

Concrete Precast Kits

The pre-molded concrete kits "are semi-ready modular constructions. The structural pieces are taken to the construction site and assembled on the foundation. The external closing can be made with traditional masonry or reinforced mortar plates", says the professional. Inside the house, the closing can be made in drywall.

Advantages:

• Clean flowerbed;
• Dry work;
• Reduced material waste due to part modulation;
• Broad architectural customization;
• Resistant constructions;
• Good acoustic and thermal performance.

Disadvantages:

• Foundations are usually built in the traditional system;
• Limitations on access to the jobsite by cranes or hoists;
• Minimum building volume requirement;
• Need for a well-detailed and compatibilized project;
• Labor shortage.

All the options pointed out by the architect can be customized according to the structural project and the size of the land. However, the internal finishings are not included and are for the owner's account.

Questions about prefabricated houses

Because it is a recent type of construction in Brazil, it is common for questions to arise about the concept, structuring, and design. Leonard explains the main issues in a didactic way:

Tua Casa - How much does it cost to build a prefabricated house?

Leonard Grava For example, a pre-molded kit for a 70 m² concrete house costs around R$20,000, including only the structure and the fence.

TC - What precautions should one take with a prefabricated house?

LG A wooden cottage can be an excellent choice, however, with the noise and air pollution, it is not recommended for busy cities. Each house requires a different type of maintenance and specialized labor. The maintenance of structural damage in a steel frame house is extremely expensive. A wooden house can sufferwith bad weather, insects, and needs constant carpentry maintenance and fire protection.

TC - Is the prefabricated house more or less durable than traditional construction?

LG A house with a metallic structure and cement or plaster paneling has an indeterminate durability, because they are inert and resistant materials. A wooden house that is well maintained can last for many decades.

TC - Is it possible to install a prefabricated house on any type of terrain?

LG Usually, pre-molded houses are installed on plateaus or flat slab floors called Radier. Very uneven terrain requires an adequate choice of materials. Steel frame allows for greater customization of the project considering the terrain.

Although it is a practical construction, you will need to hire qualified labor, so research well, talk to the builders, and don't make a hasty decision, so your house will be the way you imagined and meet your expectations.

Where to buy prefabricated houses

Several Brazilian companies sell pre-fabricated houses. In this list, you will get to know 3 options - two with services nationwide and one exclusively for services in São Paulo.

Attendance throughout Brazil

Compre Eucalipto has suppliers all over the country. The company offers a personalized project, including the structure of the house in treated wood, the internal architecture, technology, and automation.

South

Although the delivery of materials is guaranteed nationwide, Minha Casa Pré-Fabricada indicates specialists for the labor only in some regions (consult the company directly). Custom projects are charged separately.

Southeast

Fabrilar has been in the market for more than 20 years, serving São Paulo, Baixada Santista and the São Paulo coast. The company offers different models of masonry houses, ranging from R$ 200 thousand to R$ 1 million. The services also include the solution of the bureaucratic parts for the work release, land cleaning and construction completion.

When you go to make the budget, talk to the company about the procedures necessary for the purchase, installation, documentation and completion of the work. This way you will be able to maintain a financial planning and the management of the construction.

Getting to know prefabricated houses in videos

A few years ago, prefab houses were just dreams. However, they have become reality and promise to be the trend of the future. Below, check out a selection of videos with more information and tips.

Are prefabricated houses worth it?

In this vlog, the architect talks about the concept of prefabricated houses. With illustrations, he explains how they are made, and gives his opinion about each type of house.

How is a prefab house assembled?

In this construction diary, you will follow the installation of cementitious plates in a prefabricated house. The professional explains what materials are used in the construction, how the assembly is done, and other details of the building.

Tour of the prefab house

We take you on a tour of a prefabricated house, showing you the inside and outside of the house, and talking about her experience with this type of work.

To make your prefabricated house even more charming, bet on sustainable decoration and don't forget to recycle.