The Strength of Steel
There are two major types of building techniques for ADUs: modular/prefab steel construction and traditional stick-built construction. Why choose modular/prefab steel?
1. Earthquake Resistance
As we all know, California is “earthquake country” and earthquake insurance is costly. A steel-framed home will better protect you and your family in the event of an earthquake. Steel-framed structures have superior resistance to the sudden ground shaking characteristic of earthquakes, minimizing structural damage and human injuries that may result from less stable structures.
2. Protection from the Elements
The increasing intensity of wildfires around the world puts billions of dollars worth of real estate literally in the line of fire. With all the recent firestorms in California, fireproofing your home should be a top priority. Wood obviously burns down in a fire, but steel is non-combustible. Though it is impossible to build a fully fireproof home, steel offers superior fire resistance. Another recent concern for Californians is wind damage. It is essential that storm-proof homes have strong bones. Reinforced steel is the popular choice because of its tough, dense material and a high degree of rigidity. It can withstand destructive high winds and flying debris much better than wood. Steel is more resistant to a multitude of other elements, including moisture and water damage, mold, pests (termites), rust, and warping.
3. Lower Costs
Steel-framed ADUs require less building material and less labor, contributing to lower construction costs (up to 50% less in framing costs).
4. Less Construction Time
The efficient assembly line process and minimized weather delays, cut back the time needed to build a modular home. Prefab factories specialize in faster manufacturing processes, resulting in faster construction times.
5. Durability
Prefab manufacturers design and build units with durability in mind, due to the nature of the process they undergo. The whole unit is built in a factory then transported, via truck, to your backyard. When the modules arrive on site, they are lifted into the air using a crane and carefully placed them onto your location. Prefab steel units are be built to endure this intense transportation and installation process, further demonstrating their overall strength and durability.
6. Sustainability
Reduce,Reuse, Recycle! Steel construction uses fewer materials. Its high percentage of recycling rates exceed those of any other construction material. At the end of construction, wood leaves about 20% waste, whereas steel only leaves about 2%.
The combination of these benefits makes steel-framed prefab the obvious choice. If you’re interested in building a steel prefab ADU on your property, contact Roof and Realm to make an appointment for your free onsite consultation.