The Environmental Impact of Modular Construction

Nowadays, construction companies find new ways on how they can make their construction projects more environmentally friendly. One popular method that many companies follow is modular construction, and it’s already becoming a huge trend because of its many benefits, specifically its positive impact on the environment. 

Modular Construction: What Is It?

Modular construction is the method of building structures in off-site factories instead of the traditional construction process in which workers construct on-site. It also involves manufacturing a building in parts, also known as modules, which the construction team transports to the construction site and assembles. 

They already include all of the essential pieces of the structure, such as flooring, roofing, walls, wiring, plumbing, etc., before they transport it on-site. Contractors transport the modules on heavy flatbed trucks, and they transport them in order. And once the modules arrive, workers can quickly piece them together. 

Since you now know what modular construction is, the next thing to learn is how it can benefit the environment. 

1. Reduce Construction Waste Significantly

The great thing about modular construction is you get to reduce construction waste. Usually, traditional construction will require you to make certain adjustments to fit within the client’s plans. It can generate a lot of construction waste, which you can sometimes never reuse again. 

Fortunately, modular construction doesn’t waste any construction material because everything is specific, from the material type down to their measurements. And since you waste nothing, you don’t have to discard anything that gets thrown into the nearest junkyard. Your construction waste can only benefit when you send it to a recycling factory right away. 

2. Use Recycled Material

Another benefit of modular construction is you get to construct buildings by using recycled materials. Many construction companies that practice modular construction use sustainable materials because it reduces their costs by a significant number. And when you reduce the construction costs, you will be able to reuse them in other elements of the construction project. You can make your modules better by adding LEED access doors and panels.

3. Reduce Energy Consumption

When working on a construction site, you use different tools, equipment, and machines requiring electricity to operate. In most cases, they are the ones that consume most of your budget because of the high energy bills you receive at the end of the project. You can avoid the high energy bills through modular construction since you only use energy off-site to build your structures. 

In some instances, you might have to use large generators to power machines, consuming gas and generating a ton of smoke. Besides the smoke, you also create less noise when finishing the construction project. Modular construction is the perfect method if you’re in a peaceful area. 

4. Lessen Gas Emissions

Most traditional construction processes require heavy equipment trucks to haul materials or dig up tons of dirt. Heavy machinery produces a ton of smoke every time they move around the construction site, which can cause global warming. You won’t need to use heavy equipment trucks or other machines that produce tons of smoke when you do modular construction. 

5. Faster Construction Process

The main reason to go for modular construction is you reduce the time it takes to finish a construction project. When you use the traditional construction method, you need to order construction materials, wait for them to arrive, and then use workers to piece them. It’s a slower method that takes a long time to finish, so you’re better off using modular construction. 

As mentioned a while ago, the modules already come with fixtures, plumbing, and other systems, so you don’t have to do extra work when they arrive on-site. You piece them together, and the method doesn’t consume a lot of time. 

In your next construction project, you have to focus on modular construction to help the environment reduce pollution and other adverse effects. Don’t forget to contact Access Doors and Panels if you need help with modular construction. Call us at 1-800-609-2917 for more details!