Panelization Construction

In the high-tech approach known as panelized construction, pre-engineered wall sections are produced for a new home in factory-controlled conditions, then shipped complete to the building site for final construction. A panelized home can be weather tight in just a few days.

Leading panelized home manufacturers offer tremendous flexibility in design, and can provide any amenities desired in a new home. Some panelized manufacturers work through networks of general contractors (professional home builders). Others deal directly with home buyers looking to build their own home.

Pre-building roof and floor trusses in a factory is the most common application of panelized construction in home building today. Recently, the National Association of Home Builders reported that complete home panelization is the fastest growing segment of residential new construction. Built with the aid of cutting-edge automation and in factory-perfect conditions, complete exterior and interior wall panels, trusses, decking, etc. are loaded onto panelized manufacturers’ trucks and delivered to the homesite. Materials are marked at the factory with a code to eliminate any confusion at the jobsite.

For some panelized manufacturers, their involvement in the construction of the home is finished when the materials are delivered, with all field work completed by the general contractor. Other panelized manufacturers provide a crane and "set crews" when the materials are delivered to work with the general contractor in getting the home framed in. There are even some panelized manufacturers who will supply all necessary labor to complete the home. - Design Basics. (I thought they said better than I could)

Benefits of using Buildings with Pre-manufactured Components

Time  Faster construction as walls, trusses and other pre-made components arrive just in time and with value-added features you require. Cuts time in the framing stage by 30% - 50%.

Labor Fewer hard-to-find skilled framers are needed to get the job done. With Armstrong components, delays for labor shortages are far less.

Quality & Consistency Your components are built on pre-designed assembly stations where accuracy is assured. Lumber is pre-inspected to meet standards of quality. Wall and truss components are constructed under cover, eliminating lumber warpage due to extended sun and rain exposure.

Money  Time saved gets you out of your construction loan to final turnover faster; a significant savings. Components are guaranteed built right – no tear down and rebuild of mistakes.

Less Waste On site construction requires builders to order up to 20% more lumber than needed. Using this system, waste is virtually eliminated and no materials are lost to exposure to weather.

Security Component construction eliminates pilferage of loose lumber and other loose materials.

Uncluttered Job Site A component package eliminates the need to have lot space cluttered with lumber stock-piles.

Flexibility You decide how much “value-added” you want. Order with as much or as little pre-installed siding, windows and other elements you need to optimize profitability.

This is the system we are using to build our house. At the end of construction, I will write a post with personal pros and cons.