What is the difference between Element and Modular Construction types?
These days there are many different types of construction and it is hard not to get lost in the description of those. Also, we notice many different names for the same type that are confusing. For example, you can find element construction called modular. What we will do here is explain our terminology and how we use it to describe our two construction methods for MCabin Line Designs.
Element Construction - also known as prefab construction (also called modular construction), when walls, ceilings, and roofs are produced in separate sections in the factory with all or some external and internal layers. The windows are installed in the factory. And these sections are loaded into the trailers for delivery to the building site, where they are unloaded by a crane and placed on the foundation, and connected together like a puzzle. The electricity and plumbing are done on-site after the house is watertight. And the internal works such as plasterboard and the rest begin. Due to the size of the trailer, the sections are designed to be no longer than 13 m and no higher than 3 m, and also not heavier than 2 tons to allow for standard crane lifting.
Modular Construction / Volumetric Modular Construction - the house is produced as a whole module, with all 4 walls, partition walls, roof, and floor, with the full external and internal finish. Electricity and plumbing are installed inside the walls and floor during the manufacture. Then the module, as it is, is loaded onto the trailer or platform (depending on its size) to be delivered to the site. Here it is unloaded and ready to be used after some simple and quick finishing works are done. We produce our models so that you are left to take care only of interior furniture once the modules are placed and assembled.
Thus, we prefer Element construction for bigger houses that are 50 m² or more, as they will have more complex electricity and plumbing plans, which are best to be done on-site. And for smaller houses and offices 8 m² up to 40 m², we do modular construction.
What are the advantages of modular and element constructions?
As mentioned before, element construction is perfect for bigger houses. Compared to the traditional way of building from post and beam on-site, Element construction provides many benefits such as:
- minimized material exposure to weather such as sun and rain;
- there is less waste on-site as the majority of materials are precut for delivery or a part of an element;
- fewer mistakes and discrepancies as all elements are designed on software to the smallest details;
- we can improve our quality because the production is under strict and constant control in the factory;
- by producing elements we minimize work on-site, which requires fewer tools and machinery, less time, less disturbance to your neighbors, and thus cost savings!
Modular construction is perfect for tiny houses. Compared to Element construction:
- no material exposure to weather (sun, rain);
- no waste on-site, all materials are fixed to the modules in the factory or delivered pre-cut to required sizes and forms for assembly;
- no mistakes and discrepancies, as you receive a final product and we would not ship it with defaults;
- highest quality, everything is controlled in the factory;
- M10 does not require any assembly work at all. Other tiny houses are manufactured to have an easy and fast assembly that can be done by you following our simple manual (which will be included in the delivery) and unlimited support from us. Some clients have already done it themselves and they said it is easy to follow and do.