With the UK suffering from a chronic housing shortage, and the Government announcing its intention to build 1 million homes by 2020, time is not exactly on our side. Interestingly, just before Christmas, a housing association in Warrington, Cheshire made the news headlines when a £2.5 billion landmark contract was signed for the construction of 25,000 solar powered ‘flat pack’ houses.
Here, property specialist and online blogger Sean Boscombe – working with Chartered Surveyors firm Cosey Homes, discusses whether ‘flat pack’ buildings could be the answer to the UK’s housing problem, and whether you would want to live in one…
Why ‘flat pack’?
Modular, or pre-fabricated homes aren’t new; they’ve been around since the end of World War II when a quick solution was needed for the UK’s postwar housing shortage. Unfortunately, the kit homes ‘thrown up’ at the time only served an immediate need. In terms of build quality, the prefabs of old were inferior, drab, cramped and inefficient. How times have changed.
You only need to take a look across the Channel to see how well modular timber framed houses have fared in many European countries, notably Sweden and Germany where the flatpack construction method has taken off since the 1960s.
Today’s flatpack homes offer a stylish, cutting edge alternative to traditional home construction. The ‘Multi Generational Home’ showcased at the Ideal Home Show was just one good example of how sophisticated and practical a kit house can be.
How are they built?
Contemporary flat pack homes bring together the best in modern design, quality materials, precision construction methods and energy efficiency. Built to order in a factory, the individual components are then transported to site as giant panels and assembled by skilled tradesmen.
A kit house can be made to any shape or size as long as it’s transportable on the back of a lorry. Once arrived on site, erection happens very quickly. With the walls already assembled and insulated at the factory, the outer shell of the building can be watertight within days, and the entire home finished within a matter of a few weeks.
At the top end, reputable manufacturers include the Swedish company ScandiaHus, known for their eco friendly kit homes that are designed in architectural styles with triple glazing and superefficient insulation, and the German companies Huf Haus – makers of luxury modular, bespoke designs that are as beautiful as they are highly energy efficient – and Baufritz, pioneers of healthy home building and eco homes.
At the more affordable end, Swedish furniture giant IKEA has entered the UK market with their energy efficient BoKlok flatpack home concept and French design studio has created the PopUp Home, while Legal & General’s new modular homes business is set for production at their Leeds factory.
How do Basement Conversions Compare to Flat Pack Houses as a Future Housing Option?
When considering future housing options, the benefits of basement conversions are worth exploring. While flat pack houses offer efficient and affordable construction, basement conversions utilize existing space and can add significant value to a property. Both options provide unique advantages, and comparing them is essential for making an informed decision.
How Can Flat Pack Houses Make Better Use of Common Area Space Compared to Traditional Homes?
Flat pack houses are revolutionizing the way we utilize common area space. By understanding common area factor square feet, these modular homes are designed to maximize efficiency and functionality. Compared to traditional homes, flat pack houses make better use of shared spaces, creating a more practical and sustainable living environment.
What are the benefits of a flat pack home?
As an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar building constructions, pre-fabricated houses offer a wealth of benefits, including
· Quick and easy build
Whereas traditional home builds can take many months to be completed, kit homes can be produced and put together in a few weeks. And since individual panels are largely constructed off-site in the factory, the on-site erection is simply a matter of assembling the prefabricated elements and finishing in situ.
· Eco friendly credentials
Flat pack homes are typically made from sustainable timber. They’re extremely energy efficient, boasting air tightness. Some designs use strong Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) panels, a high performance residential building system with high levels of built-in insulation. Solar PV roof panels and other renewable energy sources are taken full advantage of in the building technology.
· Affordable prices
The building costs for contemporary prefabs are approx. 10-25% below that of purchasing other types of residential homes. This makes flat pack homes affordable to many would-be homeowners, including first time buyers. Mortgages can also now be obtained more easily for non-traditional construction methods of this type.
· Forward looking designs
If you’re a fan of modern architecture and want to embrace the best of today’s sustainable building technology, a flat pack home will deliver a bright, contemporary and practical space that the hackneyed traditional building styles of most British housing developments will find hard to compete with.
· Customisable specification
A pre-fabricated home can be designed and adjusted to meet your specifications exactly, and many manufacturers will oversee the entire building process, from the initial design to the final second fix jobs. What’s more, many modular design systems will allow you to move interior walls, add extensions or extra storeys to accommodate your family’s needs.
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