In the event you’ve by no means heard of them, prefabricated houses – usually generally known as prefab houses – are houses which are constructed off-site after which transported and assembled at their closing vacation spot.
Some of these houses are typically cheaper and quicker to assemble than conventional constructing strategies as builders don’t have to spend as a lot time on-site constructing the home from scratch.
Regardless of their reasonably priced worth, prefab houses are literally pretty sturdy and are a secure and reasonably priced various to conventional brick and mortar houses.
The historical past of prefab houses within the UK
Picture supply: Le_Deluge
Following the housing scarcity within the UK after the Second World Struggle, then-prime minister Winston Churchill made prefabricated houses a significant a part of the push to construct new houses shortly and affordably.
It was thought the Blitz had precipitated roughly 450,000 houses to be both fully destroyed or uninhabitable. Because of this, the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act 1944 was handed to assist resolve this situation. Churchill deliberate to construct 500,000 prefab houses, every of which had a lifespan of as much as 10 years.
Or so it was thought. Regardless of their proposed 10-year lifespan, a lot of prefabricated houses from the Nineteen Forties are nonetheless standing at present. That is testomony to the sturdy design and development of prefab houses.
Not solely this, however the prefabricated houses constructed within the UK after the Second World Struggle had been removed from missing. In truth, they included a lot of improvements that made them appear positively luxurious by the interval’s requirements.
Publish-Second World Struggle prefab improvements
The Ministry of Works, the federal government division accountable for the housing challenge, created a lot of improvements to the house. Maybe essentially the most notable of those was what they referred to as the “service unit” within the prefab dwelling, which was the place the kitchen and toilet had been positioned back-to-back. This meant all plumbing was in the identical place so was very simple to put in.
The service unit additionally included a lot of gadgets we take with no consideration now, however had been a luxurious within the Nineteen Forties. This features a again boiler for central heating and sizzling water, in addition to a built-in oven, fridge and water heater. These improvements had been really forward of their time, with most conventional residential houses nonetheless relying on an out of doors toilet and a coal fireplace with which to warmth water.
Not solely had been the houses stuffed with improvements, however their location was additionally one thing of a luxurious. Many individuals who had been affected by the Blitz had been used to cramped metropolis situations, however various the brand new houses had been developed subsequent to inexperienced belts and parks. This was to assist pace up development, nevertheless it had the additional advantage of giving the residents a style of rural life.
What are prefabricated houses constructed from?
Picture supply: Adobe Inventory
These houses had been comprised of a lot of totally different supplies. This included timber-framed designs and even aluminium, which was comprised of surplus plane supplies.
Sadly, it was discovered that British prefabs had been really costlier to assemble than conventional brick and mortar homes despite cautious analysis into America’s success for holding prices low whereas producing prefab houses.
And because the UK economic system started to get better, the price of manufacture rose. This led to the development of prefab houses drawing to an in depth.
As a substitute, the federal government turned to precast strengthened concrete (PRC) houses. These had been comprised of concrete panels and strengthened with metal and had been fast to assemble and simpler to construct. Like prefabs, they had been made in a manufacturing unit, however that they had a for much longer lifespan of 60 years.
What are the issues with prefabricated houses?
Picture supply: Adobe Inventory
As talked about above, many prefab houses survived lengthy after their proposed 10-year lifespan. Nonetheless, many prefab houses had been constructed with outdated supplies and even asbestos, and lots of have rust and decay points, and have needed to be up to date to satisfy at present’s requirements.
Because of this, many native councils select to take away prefab homes fully in favour of newer housing developments. The variety of prefab houses has halved every year since 2000. Regardless of this, many residents nonetheless need to save their houses from demolition. Sadly, this appears to be a shedding battle for the time being.
For instance, the Excalibur Estate in Catford, Lewisham, was made up of 187 wooden-framed bungalows and a flat-roofed church. Regardless of residents trying to save lots of all of the houses, strain from the council meant solely six of the properties will stay and will likely be added as grade 2 listed properties.
Many houses are actually being demolished in favour of newer builds, with a number of examples of prefab houses being lifted from their web site and displayed in museums.
Trendy prefab houses: are they making a comeback?
Though the post-WWII houses are structurally unsound by at present’s requirements, trendy prefab houses appear to be making a comeback – with many updates to make sure they’re appropriate to be used. These are “factory-made” houses, however are made to run effectively and to satisfy the protection requirements we comply with at present.
Excited about uncommon houses? Read our blog on 3D-printed properties.
Are prefab houses sturdy?
There are numerous advantages to purchasing a prefabricated dwelling, together with their uncommon options and worth for cash. Regardless of what many consider, modular houses – particularly extra trendy properties and post-war prefabs which have been up to date to satisfy at present’s well being and security legal guidelines – have a excessive customary of development and are constructed for longevity as a lot as brick-built homes.
They’re comprised of supplies that may face up to put on and tear and all the weather houses face within the UK.
Are you able to get a mortgage on a prefab home?
It’s best to have the ability to get a typical residential mortgage on a prefab home, nevertheless it’s probably the property will likely be seen as a non-standard development. This implies high-street lenders could not give you a mortgage so you have to to go to a specialist lender.
Searching for prefab dwelling insurance coverage?
Though prefabricated houses are available all sizes and shapes and their trendy equivalents are reportedly far safer than the post-war prefab housing, some householders nonetheless report points with securing reasonably priced prefab home insurance.
Many insurers consider prefabricated homes have non-standard dangers. Because of this, some insurers even refuse to insure these homes – or they hike up premiums.
We cowl a variety of prefab and modular houses. This contains self-built houses, listed buildings, post-war properties and trendy equipment houses. Name 0333 270 3569 for a quote or book a callback at a time that fits you.
