Panelization is a home construction technique in which individual parts of the house are constructed at a factory and then assembled at the work site. This is in contrast with standard home building, where all the raw material and tools are brought to the work site, and a house is constructed from the ground up. Usually, the parts of the house that are prefabricated in panelization include the walls, floors, and sections of the roof. Panelization is considered to be an efficient home building method.
Manufactures which provide pre-engineered parts for panelized homes generally operate in an automated factory, with regulated conditions. The exterior and interior wall panels, trusses, decking, and other parts are constructed with precision and accuracy. Clear instructions are provided with each part so that the work crew at the work site can easily assemble the pieces without any problems. All the parts are delivered to the work site by the manufacturer on large trucks.
Home buyers can select exactly how they want their new home to look through panelization. Manufactures offer a wide range of designs for each part of the house. Home buyers can mix and match or opt for a traditional structure.
Panelization has several advantages including the decreased cost of labor. Builders generally require a smaller work crew when constructing homes with prefabricated parts. Also, building with prefabricated parts reduces the time it takes to construct a home, which reduces labor costs as well.
There isn't a risk of damage or theft of materials, since the parts are delivered on the day of construction, instead of stored out in the open for weeks, which is often the case in traditional home building. Panelization also reduces wasteful construction that takes advantage of an ample supply of raw materials. This includes the elimination of construction errors that waste lumber, glass, siding, and other material. In addition, the work site generally remains cleaner, with less refuse and debris.
Constructing homes with prefabricated parts is generally more convenient to both the home buyer and builder. Panelization allows home construction in all seasons, since the new home can be made weather tight just a few days after the start of construction. The completion and move-in dates can be established much more accurately, allowing the home buyer to make arrangements with confidence. Generally, panelization is an efficient way to build houses, without wasting material, spending excessively on labor, or dealing with construction delays.