Major world urban centers today feature buildings whose imaginative spires and shapes were previously unattainable using standard architectural practices. While they appear to share no common history with simpler family dwellings, appearances can be deceiving. Construction of both skyscrapers and manufactured homes today relies increasingly on the use of modular, pre-finished sections or units born on an assembly line.
Any discussion of factory-made housing usually begins with a disclaimer. Sales personnel stress that prefab dwellings today are simply not in the same league as the much-maligned and mocked double-wide trailer, even though past criticisms were based on valid issues. The metal structure of a unit designed to occupy a single traffic lane offers little protection when the weather gets really bad, and many safety concerns are real.
As unlovely as those rectangular boxes may be, they still share an ancestral bond with the latest incarnations of factory-built housing. Both structures are born in a manufacturing plant, rather than being nailed together on site. The main difference is that truly mobile units are fully completed inside the factory, then anchored to a plot or space. This eliminates the necessity of construction inspectors, among other costs.
Traditionally, these mobile rectangles could be joined together on one level, but were not rigid enough to be stacked without collapsing. Some still display the vehicular version of vestigial organs in the form of wheels and axles that may be reactivated when a road trip is necessary. These units often depreciate faster than brick-and-mortar dwellings, and the type of materials used during manufacture are difficult to customize once they are in place.
By comparison, modular construction is the hipster cousin of the single-wide unit. The primary difference between the two is that individual sections and parts are created in a factory, but assembled on site rather than being towed there. These units are not limited to one story, and can be stacked or connected to create multi-level, visually interesting housing.
This method of construction creates buildings that are far more stable than those with vehicular potential. Even the foundations are stronger, conforming to the same standards that any new home must follow. Traditional mobile units are more easily damaged by wind and weather, but a modular home built on site can be stronger than many put together using conventional methods, and they are also easily customized.
Although none of these buildings will ever really be able to compete with ostentatious suburban status-symbol mansions, they feature other attractive advantages. Energy efficiency is built into the modular fittings, and the section tolerances are often superior. These buildings are able to survive damage from severe hurricanes or tornado-strength winds, and their foundations provide better support during an earthquake.
As housing costs skyrocket, these types of structures are a less-expensive option. While a modular home cannot be moved in the same fashion as a factory-made mobile home, they are now considered to be as safe and sturdy as most comparable buildings. In areas where land is still available and relatively inexpensive, they are an increasingly sensible choice for many people.
Any discussion of factory-made housing usually begins with a disclaimer. Sales personnel stress that prefab dwellings today are simply not in the same league as the much-maligned and mocked double-wide trailer, even though past criticisms were based on valid issues. The metal structure of a unit designed to occupy a single traffic lane offers little protection when the weather gets really bad, and many safety concerns are real.
As unlovely as those rectangular boxes may be, they still share an ancestral bond with the latest incarnations of factory-built housing. Both structures are born in a manufacturing plant, rather than being nailed together on site. The main difference is that truly mobile units are fully completed inside the factory, then anchored to a plot or space. This eliminates the necessity of construction inspectors, among other costs.
Traditionally, these mobile rectangles could be joined together on one level, but were not rigid enough to be stacked without collapsing. Some still display the vehicular version of vestigial organs in the form of wheels and axles that may be reactivated when a road trip is necessary. These units often depreciate faster than brick-and-mortar dwellings, and the type of materials used during manufacture are difficult to customize once they are in place.
By comparison, modular construction is the hipster cousin of the single-wide unit. The primary difference between the two is that individual sections and parts are created in a factory, but assembled on site rather than being towed there. These units are not limited to one story, and can be stacked or connected to create multi-level, visually interesting housing.
This method of construction creates buildings that are far more stable than those with vehicular potential. Even the foundations are stronger, conforming to the same standards that any new home must follow. Traditional mobile units are more easily damaged by wind and weather, but a modular home built on site can be stronger than many put together using conventional methods, and they are also easily customized.
Although none of these buildings will ever really be able to compete with ostentatious suburban status-symbol mansions, they feature other attractive advantages. Energy efficiency is built into the modular fittings, and the section tolerances are often superior. These buildings are able to survive damage from severe hurricanes or tornado-strength winds, and their foundations provide better support during an earthquake.
As housing costs skyrocket, these types of structures are a less-expensive option. While a modular home cannot be moved in the same fashion as a factory-made mobile home, they are now considered to be as safe and sturdy as most comparable buildings. In areas where land is still available and relatively inexpensive, they are an increasingly sensible choice for many people.
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