Building Modular Homes with USG

Three of the most pervasive issues in the construction industry are time, money, and labor. This causes project stakeholders to look towards emerging trends that allow for more efficient ways to build.

Modular construction has been gaining traction as a viable construction method. Although it once was used exclusively to build temporary structures, modular construction and manufactured housing have shown the industry its value in recent years for building permanent structures as a cost-effective way to accelerate project timelines while spending less time on the jobsite.

The Benefits of Modular Construction

Modules are manufactured in a controlled factory setting, which minimizes the risk of installation errors. Quality-control programs and procedures are implemented in the manufacturing facility, ensuring higher quality buildings. And since the materials used to build modules are the standard building materials for traditional construction, there is no compromise in the quality of the products themselves.

This controlled indoor setting for modular construction can also reduce the chance of jobsite and scheduling delays. Weather is often a major factor when projects run off schedule, as rain, strong winds, and freezing temperatures can all impact installation time. Outside of scheduling, less time on the jobsite also lowers the chance of work-related injuries. Considering that modular buildings emphasize ease of assembly, there is less of a physical toll on workers when entire system components arrive on the jobsite ready to install.

Since modules are shipped to the site and installed into their final position right off the truck, this means that building materials do not need to be stored on the jobsite, further speeding up installation times, and eliminating concerns around proper materials storage on the jobsite. This also reduces the amount of jobsite waste ending up in landfills since drywall panels, joint compound, and other building materials arrive pre-assembled in their respective modules.

The USG Solution

USG understands the value that manufactured housing can bring to residential homebuilding: “the greatest potential for modular construction over the next 10 years is in the residential sector,” says Cameron Kemp, USG Technical Sales Specialist for factory-built homes. “Workforce shortages, manufacturing delays, and budgetary constraints are pushing the residential market towards this, especially when you consider the fact that standard stick-built homes can be completed in 6-9 months versus a modular home that can be built in 6-8 weeks after the foundation has been set.”

USG is a committed partner in the construction process, offering custom lengths of Sheetrock® Brand Drywall for modular projects, with panels spanning up to 54 inches wide. “Depending on what size of wall system or ceiling system they’re building, [USG can make] a specific size, not just the standard 8s, 10s, or 12s,” says Kemp, adding that this unique offering for modular construction allows builders to install a wall system “with less cuts on the wall, less butt joints, and less taping,” prioritizing both quality and productivity.

Fine Homebuilding was recently onsite with Champion Homes in Strattanville, PA to highlight how USG helps streamline the construction and installation of its manufactured homes—watch the full video here.

Check out the USG products developed specifically for building modular homes here.

Additional information on modular construction can be found here.