This blog contains content specific to our BOXX Modular branches in British Columbia, and was formerly featured on our Britco website. As of 6/19/2024, the Britco brand has been fully integrated under the BOXX Modular name.
When most people think of modular buildings, they think of inexpensive, lower-quality buildings that are unsafe. However, that just isn’t the case.
The modular structures of today are built to last, just like traditionally-built buildings. To achieve this, builders use high-quality materials in their modular architecture.
After reading this, you’ll know the best materials to use in both custom modular buildings and modular building construction and why this matters both to you and us.
Commonly Used Modular Building Materials
Many materials can be used when building a modular structure, especially the exterior. You’ll want to use something long-lasting and durable for structural integrity so that if your modular structure is transported, it doesn’t arrive broken.
Wood
Wood is one of the most used materials in not only the modular building construction industry but in regular construction. Builders have been using wood to build structures since Roman times and there are buildings dating from the 700s that are still standing.
Builders like using wood because it’s a lightweight material that gets stronger as it dries out. Another reason they like using it is because of how straightforward it is to work with. It’s easy to cut into whatever shape you need and you can repair it if a piece breaks or cracks.
It’s also a renewable resource. And if you don’t want to cut down any trees, there are several engineered wood products you can use. Engineered wood is made by binding pieces of scrap wood, shredded wood fibers, sawdust, and adhesives. They act like wood but are stronger and more durable.
Steel
Another material used to build modular structures is steel. It’s an incredibly versatile material, partly because it can be shaped into any form. This allows it to be used as structural support in buildings.
However, steel can be harder to work with since it's heavier than most building materials and more rigid so it’s harder to reshape.
Another benefit of steel is how durable it is. It can withstand severe weather conditions and while it’s susceptible to corrosion, steps can be taken to avoid that. Steel is also fire-resistant.
Concrete
Though commonly used for foundations, concrete is a product that has multiple uses you might not think of, like for walls and floors. It’s one of the heavier building materials available. However, you need to be careful when mixing concrete because if it isn’t mixed properly, then it won’t be as strong and durable.
One of the benefits of using concrete is that, unlike other building materials, it’s resistant to insect damage and won’t rot like other building products.
Like steel, it’s also fire-resistant, which gives it a huge safety advantage over other materials like vinyl and wood.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a material that can be used in many different areas. It can be used for siding, flooring, and as wall coverings.
A benefit of vinyl is that it’s highly customizable so it can match any building style. One thing to keep in mind is that colour can fade over time so there is some maintenance involved. Other than that, vinyl is typically an easy material to maintain.
Another positive of using vinyl is it can withstand high winds and severe weather conditions. While it’s not as durable as other materials, like concrete or wood, it’s still a versatile product with a good lifespan.
The Benefits of Using Quality Materials in Your Modular Structure
Now that you know what materials are good to use for modular building materials, the next question is “Does quality matter?” And the answer is yes, it does matter and it’s something you should strongly consider in your modular building construction.
It Keeps You Safe
By incorporating high-quality building materials, modular buildings can provide a safer environment for occupants, with enhanced structural stability, resistance to hazards, and compliance with safety standards.
It is important to ensure that the selected materials meet appropriate safety regulations and undergo regular inspections and maintenance to uphold safety standards throughout the building's lifespan.
Checking your building helps identify and address possible safety hazards. This allows you to ensure all aspects of the building, like the structural integrity and electrical systems, are functioning properly and pose no risks to occupants.
Using high-quality modular building materials and prompt maintenance can prevent accidents, injuries, or property damage. This not only is good for the building but it’s safer for you and your employees.
It Saves You Money
The old saying “You get what you pay for” is true when it comes to building materials. While you may pay a higher price upfront for materials, in the long run, it can save you money.
High-quality materials often are stronger, longer-lasting, and can withstand environmental factors, like weather and fire better than lower-quality ones. They are also resistant to wear and are less likely to be replaced in the lifespan of the building, saving you money. That’s why they are favoured in modular structures.
By addressing minor issues promptly, you can prevent them from escalating into major problems that require costly repairs, reducing downtime and associated losses, and extending the lifespan of your modular building.
It's Energy Efficient
Modular structures that use high-quality materials are more likely to be energy efficient. They help regulate temperature control, reduce energy waste, and lower your utility costs.
For example, when you’re looking for building insulation, you want something that has a high thermal performance that helps keep the warm air in during the winter and the cold air in during the summer. By choosing a lower-quality product, you could be wasting money on something that’s easily avoided.
You can also consider energy efficiency in your doors and windows. Most high-quality doors and windows are designed with this in mind. They often feature double or triple glazing, insulated frames, which minimize heat transfer and air leakage. Energy-efficient windows and doors reduce drafts, which can lessen your reliance on your heating and cooling systems.
High-quality materials are less likely to degrade over time so they maintain their energy-efficient properties throughout the lifespan of the building.
The Advantages of Working with BOXX
At BOXX Modular, we believe you should get exactly what you want. Whether that’s a rental building you can use as a temporary site or a fully customized modular structure as your new office. Our goal is to create a product, using high-quality modular building materials that sets us apart from the competition and is beneficial to you.
Up-to-Date Safety Standards
As we mentioned earlier, safety is a big part of modular building construction. We make sure that all of our modular structures are up to British Columbia’s building codes. We know that the modular building construction process can be hard to understand, so we've written a blog post on that, too!
This applies to all of our buildings, from modular offices to construction office trailers, and includes both our rentals and new construction. So once you arrange delivery and set up the building, you can relax knowing that building safety is taken care of.
Time-Saving
A benefit of choosing a BOXX Modular structure is that the fabrication and site prep takes place at the same time in a factory setting. This allows us to have environmental control so weather delays aren’t an issue. All of this means that we can deliver your building in a shorter timeframe and you can get to work sooner.
Another advantage of working with BOXX is our crew is used to working in both city centers and remote locations so wherever your job site is, we can deliver. This means our process is faster than a traditional build.
Environmentally-Friendly
By combining our building process, we can be more environmentally friendly, by creating 40% less construction waste.
The modular construction process also promotes green and environmentally-friendly practices and materials. By following these we can minimize waste use across all stages of the build.
Customized to Your Needs
When you decide to invest in a modular structure, you don’t want just any structure. You want one that fits your business needs. At BOXX Modular, we offer many different options to choose from. We lease modular structures so you can look through our inventory and see what we already have available that could suit your needs.
If not then you can customize a new building to fit your needs. We offer several floor plans that you can choose from like an open-floor plan or one with different office configurations. You can also add additional storage to designs and select materials for your design, like flooring and custom windows. For example, we just released a new product called SmartSpace, which employs a building block design and is adaptable to most situations.
If you’re planning on expanding your modular building, you can plan for that in the initial customization process. We don’t create a one-size fits all building; we want you to get exactly what you want.
Want more details on how quality modular building materials can impact your business?
Contact our team today!
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