The idea of pre-fabricated (or “pre-fab”) buildings is far from new with the basic principles having been used around the world in various ways for centuries. The idea was particularly popular in the 1800s amongst pioneers in the USA, Australia and elsewhere and also in the UK during and after the Second World War, when there was a need to produce a lot of housing quickly and cheaply for troops and to replace those destroyed in the Blitz.

Pre-fabs today

Now, however, modern architects are bringing the idea of pre-fabricated buildings right up-to-date. By incorporating the latest technology and design ideas, they are creating pre-fab buildings that are not just cost-effective and quick to erect, but also stunning to look at and comfortable to occupy. Famous examples include those created by the German company Huf Haus, which combine modernist design with high performance materials, providing a genuine alternative to traditional building methods.

Advantages of pre-fabs

Time – one of the big attractions of pre-fabs is how quick they are to put up on site. Because so much of the construction work is done before the building reaches you, once your foundations are in place, the basic erection process can take as little as a day.

Straightforward – because the hard work has already been done, you are far less likely to run into any unexpected surprises or delays with a pre-fab building. And since anything which holds up your build is likely to cost you more money, a pre-fab construction is a great way to keep a tight rein on your budget.

Eco-friendly – pre-fab construction tends to generate far less waste than traditional methods due to the efficiency of the fabrication process. The materials used in modern pre-fabs also tend to be greener, with a heavy reliance on wood and much less concrete involved, reducing your building’s carbon footprint. Modern pre-fab designs also tend to be really well-insulated and it’s usually easy to incorporate energy saving features such as underfloor heating and photovoltaics.    

Metrotile’s steel roofing system is ideal for pre-fabricated building projects. Its low weight allows for easy transportation and installation, and its super secure fixings means your new roof will reach you in the exact same condition it left the factory. Our roofing has previously been used for projects such as the Fair Isle Bird Observatory, which used a modular pre-fab design to ease the construction process in this remote location. If you’d like to find out about using Metrotile products for your pre-fab building, give us a call on 01249 658514 or fill out our contact form.