Traditional construction faces many issues when it
comes to the handling, creation, and recycling of wasted materials. In fact, an
NAHB study found that an estimated 8,000 lbs of waste is created from the
construction of a 2,000 square foot building. These squandered materials are
all standard materials that you would use to construct a building: wood, brick,
insulation, drywall, etc. However, only an estimated 20% of these leftover
construction materials are actually repurposed or recycled, according to Alex Shcolyar The
American Institute of Architects. On top of that, the AIA states that "it
is estimated that anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of the national solid waste
stream is building-related waste."[1] And in 2009 the Construction
Materials Recycling Association, estimated that construction and demolition
waste from building construction was around 325 million tons annually. So, in a
society that constantly pushes for greener solutions across all facets of life,
what alternatives do companies have to be more eco-friendly?
Modular Sustainability
The processes that go into modular construction
allow for far more accountable and ecological building methods. Modular
construction takes advantage of a process known as "Mass
Customization." When constructing a modular building, the same paneling
that used to create one building can be snapped into place on another building.
However, you can still design the building practically however you want!
Therefore, any paneling left unused after a job, can simply be used on the next
one. Plus, they will not need to be moved very far because all structures are
built in our own facilities, ensuring they will not go to waste. And we use CAD
software to map out all our prefabricated projects, so we know the exact amount
of materials that need to go into each job.
The factory setting also allows us to better
control our inventory and regulate the working conditions, in comparison to
traditional construction. While most construction sites have delays due to
inclement weather, the modular construction process takes place indoors,
keeping our moisture levels low in our materials, preventing damage. While our
employees construct the building indoors, the project site is being set up for
installation. Therefore, with these two processes occurring simultaneously, the
building site receives far less disturbance from foot traffic, machinery,
equipment, and materials.
Ultimately, the same paneling that allows us to use
Mass Customization also supports recycling efforts. Our buildings are designed
to be installed and disassembled easily. So when a building is no longer of
use, instead of being demolished like traditional construction, the paneling
can simply be taken apart and reused. This allows you to drastically cut down
on waste in the deconstruction process as well. Many of the structures are also
moveable, so the same building can be moved to another location to serve
another purpose for you.
The Modular Difference
The first step of waste reduction comes in the
attention to detail in the design process. Having sales people work with
clients to ensure every detail of your project is mapped out and taken care of.
Then, the project and all of the details should be sent to engineering, where
they should meticulously design every aspect of the structure. From this point,
all the materials you need should be mapped out, down to every last nut and
bolt. From there, simply take the required pieces from inventory and get to
work on the factory floor.
In the factory, inventory is easier to control than
a traditional construction site. All materials have set storage areas that
provide easy management and movement. In fact, WRAP, an organization dedicated
to resource efficiency, stated that "Volumetric (modular) building systems
are the ultimate in offsite manufacturing technology and their substitution for
traditional building methods typically leads to a virtual elimination of all
wastage bar excavation spoil for ground preparation."[2] They also showed
that an estimated 70-90% of construction waste can be eliminated through
offsite construction practices.
Overall, modular construction allows for efficiency
and sustainability in all aspects of the construction process. The factories
are designed for our employees to quickly grab and transport materials. The
construction process is designed to ensure every piece of material is used to
its fullest potential. And the products are designed to be quickly put together,
durable, and perfectly customizable for the customers. Modular buildings and
structures provide world class construction methods for your company, while
also providing an ecofriendly solution for the environment.
Source:
1) AIA: Construction Waste Management Strategies;
July 2008
2) WRAP: "Current Practices and Future
Potential in Modern Methods of Construction" January 2007
If modular construction sounds like the right fit
for you, or if you would like to find out more information about the modular
building process, visit our site at http://www.panelbuilt.com/. We provide many
different types of modular products and mezzanines for all types of work
environments. Both the offices and the mezzanines are 100% movable and
relocatable. Our dedicated sales team provides confidential free quotes and CAD
drawings to help get your project underway. Our team is available to answer any
questions about a quotation, an order, freight options or project changes.
Customer service works in unison with our shipping and installation departments
to ensure an on-time delivery and set up, with the least amount of disruption
to your business.
Contact us
2888 Victoria Park Ave
Toronto
Ontario
M2J 3T7
Canada
647-388-2891
