Choosing the best construction method for building your new home is one of the most important conversations you need to have with the contractor you’ve hired. There are numerous construction methods to choose from, ranging from pre-built modular homes, stick-framing homes, homes made of concrete to light-gauge steel homes. So, to make the selection a bit easier, listed below are some of the most common contemporary construction methods.
Traditional stick-framing
This method of building is particularly popular in the US. As the name suggests, the workers first construct the frame of the house and then proceed to build it further. After building the first story platform, they move on to first story walls, then the second story platform and so on. The walls can either be made “stick-by-stick” on site or they can be premade in the factory and delivered to the site. Either way, the end result is practically the same. After the walls have been put up and story platforms finished, the team then assembles and routes pipes, wiring and ducts through walls and floors. The insulation is added to the exterior walls (treated with water-resistant cladding from the outside) while the walls on the inside are usually covered with drywall.
Modular homes
As mentioned, modular homes are built in factories, shipped to the building site and then set in place with a crane. This method of building somewhat reduces the time necessary to build a home because all the work is being done indoors, which means no delays due to poor weather conditions. Once they are set in place, additional elements, such as the deck and patio, are added on site. There are various types of modular homes – the price and quality range is wide – and there are even green options on the market. However, when choosing a modular home builder make sure you find a reliable expert, as some manufacturers have been known to “cut corners”, for example, make thinner interior walls than promised.
Light-gauge steel
These homes are built using a similar principle like the stick-built ones, only the sticks are made of steel. The advantage, of course, is that steel won’t rot, burn or shrink. However, steel studs pose some challenges to electricians and plumbers. Also, since steel is an excellent heat conductor, the home needs to be super insulated. Wrapping the entire home in rigid foam insulation can be a bit difficult, but with proper scaffolding in place it becomes much easier. For example, people behind Commercial Project Services offer complete scaffolding and labour-hire solutions for construction projects, as well as scaffolding builds of various design.
Concrete homes
Concrete is one of the most-used building materials. When it comes to concrete homes, the walls are made of either concrete masonry units (CMS) or insulated concrete forms (ICF). The first are hollow concrete blocks insulated on either the inside or the outside with foam insulation board and stacked on site. This type of concrete homes is very popular in places with a warmer climate as the blocks’ thermal mass is pretty good in preventing heat transfer. ICFs are made of material similar to rigid foam and they come in Lego-like blocks. These blocks are stacked on site, filled with steel supporting rods and then filled with concrete. Walls made in this manner offer great insulation, so they are good for any climate.
Therefore, discuss all of these with your contractor and make sure they have the necessary experience with the construction method you’ve chosen to avoid any inconveniences. No matter the type you choose, you can be sure that, in the end, you’ll be left with a beautiful and functional home ready to be enjoyed.
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