Modular home additions are becoming increasingly popular over the years. Unlike the conventional home additions that are built or added on site, modular home additions are factory built and finished, and installed by home addition builders. Even though there are several advantages of modular home additions, one cannot ignore the cons at the same time. So, if you are planning to spend some money on a modular home addition, make sure to go through the advantages and disadvantages to make the right decision.
Pros of Modular Home Additions
Strong Structure
Modular home additions are built stronger and more reliable than the traditional additions that use cement, sealants, etc. The reason is that modular home additions are prefabricated and manufactured at factories that have to conform to certain design laws and requirements. At the same time, the prefabricated structures also need to withstand the transport loads.
Shorter Construction Time
As compared to the traditional home additions that can last several months, modular home additions can be completed in less than 2 or 3 months, depending on the size and design. It usually takes a shorter amount of time to build or create a modular home addition as the factories utilize modern technology and equipment to ensure time efficiency.
Higher-Quality Product
Since modular home additions are made at factories, the structures follow a proper process including designing and drawing. The experts are able to turn ideas into reality using complex software and can pay attention to every single detail. While the needs and preferences of customers is one thing, the manufacturer has to ensure that the structure is able to withstand external factors and forces. This results in a product that is thoroughly tested and engineered to last for years to come.
Acoustics
Back in the day, home additions were pretty simple and hardly offered a unique home design. However, with the introduction of modular home additions, homeowners who would like to give their homes an artistic addition or touch have a golden opportunity to convert their dream project into reality.
There is a lot that you can do with modular home additions, which is not possible with traditional home additions. The overwhelming number of options when it comes to design, color, features, etc. allow the homeowners to come up with exactly what they had initially planned.
Cons Of Modular Home Additions
Lifespan
As mentioned earlier, modular home additions are usually made using timber frames. Even though they are popular in North America and Scandinavia but not in central Europe. However, people in Poland believe that brick houses last longer. It basically depends on the performance and maintenance of the home.
You will come across buildings made using bricks that last 100 years or more. On the other hand, you might also observe some wooden frame walls that are dated 50-100 years. This is only possible due to proper maintenance and care. Therefore, if you opt for a modular home addition, make sure that you are up for putting in the effort and time.
Heat Accumulation
Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks of modular home additions is the fact that they are lighter than masonry houses, which means they are not able to keep warm and cool down quickly. That said, central heating systems will work perfectly in masonry houses but in a modular timber home, things can get really cold if there is an interruption in the heating operation.
Therefore, if you live in a cold region, you should think twice before opting for timber frame technology as it cannot accumulate heat.
Fire Resistance
Timber-made walls and ceilings have a fire resistance of only 1 hour. Meanwhile, brick houses have 2 hours of fire resistance. This means that timber can catch or cause a fire while concrete and brick cannot as they are non-inflammable. This is a huge drawback that makes homeowners opt for traditional home additions.
Final Word
In the end, considering the pros and cons of modular home additions, it all comes down to the personal preferences and requirements of the homeowners. However, certain factors such as the ones mentioned above should be considered to make your money worth it. Discuss these points with home addition companies DC to decide upon the right home addition method.
