Modular homes are becoming more standardized in their over all construction making them more appealing to potential buyers. This standardization, that makes retrofit and repair constructions for the home owner easier and more convenient have made modular homes look even better when it comes time to construct a new home.
With materials for remodeling and repair easily available, those DIY projects are easier to handle. In the early days of modular home construction, many manufacturers used fit and finish materials that didn’t match mainstream construction, materials. They often used materials that were especially designed for fast and machine or special tool construction. Now more and more, because of new innovations in building materials in general, modular home manufacturers are using the same types of tool, equipment and materials that are used in finish for conventional construction methods. None the less, being able to use common materials and supplies has added one more facet to the booming market for modularly constructed homes.
The two very different methods of construction have actually closed the gap between themselves in that with the development of new tools and equipment that first started out only being used in modular home construction facilities, many of the methods of construction once only used in modular construction are now being used in both industries.
Contractors like the idea of the quicker methods of framing used in modular factories. Many of the new tools and fastener systems that were developed for factory constructed homes are now common items found at conventional home construction sites.
Many years ago, as new fasteners and finish materials started to emerge into the modular construction industry, they often didn’t meet the standards set down for conventional construction methods. Not to say there was any thing wrong with how modular homes were constructed; it was more an issue of how the construction process was handled and what types of materials and fasteners needed to be used under varying construction methods. Inside factory setting vs. outside exposed to the elements conventional construction.
As time progressed and the modular construction industry enhanced, improved and developed new materials, equipment, fasteners and methods, the gap between the standards closed. Today, many types of fast, yet durable methods of construction that were once only used in modular construction are not regularly used in conventional construction.
What was once done only with hammer and nails is now done with nail guns and glue. Nail gun and brad nailers were once exclusively used in the modular home construction industry. But as the types of equipment and strength of fasteners improved, they became increasingly popular in the conventional construction trade as well. The increase in speed and durability added greatly to the effectiveness of conventional construction.
Not only were faster durable framing techniques born from the modular housing industry, but also many other aspects of home construction as well. From drywall, electrical and plumbing all the way through to the fit and finish of cabinetry in some manner or fashion today employ methods that were first proven in the modular home construction industry.