It is cheaper and it takes less time to build a prefabricated home on islands. Here we listed 7 reasons why it is possible.
If you’re looking to build custom accommodation on an island, you will need to navigate some unique challenges, such as saltwater in the air, extreme weather, delivery and site access and a delicate environment to name a few. In many cases, a prefab building such as our prefabricated homes can be the perfect solution. Read on to find out why.
1.Rust-free materials
If you are building in a coastal environment, choosing materials that will not rust or corrode from exposure to the saltwater in the air is a huge priority. The corrosive effect of saltwater on steel is well-known, but it can also cause corrosion and abrasion in concrete blocks too. In severe marine environments such as islands, clay and bricks are also at risk of damage from the salt crystals, so only a special grade of bricks and tiles are recommended to be used.
Timber on the other hand will not rust, which makes it the ideal material for homes by the sea. As the structure of our homes is made entirely from timber, there is no risk to the structural integrity of the building or potential for corrosion in the future, even when built in extreme island environments.
2.Delivery and access
With the cost of delivery to your island likely to be much higher than the mainland, receiving multiple deliveries of the many materials required for a conventional build will increase the overall cost of your project significantly. With our homes, you can get everything you need delivered together as a flat pack. This is by far a more economical and simpler option to manage and coordinate.
Building on an island also presents difficulties in access, both getting to the island across the water, and navigating the terrain which is likely to consist of smaller, often unmade roads. Multiple deliveries of large and heavy building materials for conventional construction is bound to cause headaches, if it is even possible to organise at all. On the other hand, our flat pack prefabricated homes are made for easy handling, and can be successfully delivered and unloaded in areas with very limited or tight access.
3.Fast build
Having a team of builders on site for months on end will add a great deal of cost to the project, as you will likely need to cover accommodation and meals, as well as wages. With a prefabricated home, your accommodation can be built from the ground up in a matter of days, which will potentially save you thousands in wages and expenses, not to mention, allow you to open your doors to visitors much sooner.
4.Site impact and sustainability
Minimising the impact on site should always be a priority, especially when you are working in a delicate environment such as an island. The shorter build time of a prefabricated home and ease of construction thanks to the flat pack means much less site disturbance will occur.
Today, building sustainably is also extremely important, and our mass timber homes make it easy. Not only is timber a sustainable material, it also acts as a carbon sponge, helping you to lower your carbon and environmental footprint. In addition, our homes are highly energy efficient, meaning that very little, if any, mechanical heating and cooling is required.
5.Health and comfort
Numerous studies have shown that buildings made from natural products like timber are good for our health and wellbeing – but if you’ve spent much time in a timber building you’ll know that already for yourself!
A timber building promotes a sense of calm, the natural materials create a healthier environment to be in and you bring a little of the outside in, which creates the perfect ambient vibe for comfortable holiday accommodation on an island.
6.Custom design
If you think prefabricated home is not flexible to suit your requirements, think again. All of our prefab homes are fully customisable to suit the needs of your occupants, site and the surrounding environment.
7.Cyclone-proof
All Scandi Homes are engineered and built to withstand high winds. The foundations, walls and roof structure are all firmly fixed together. On top of this, when we design your home, we carefully consider all site elements and environmental conditions, so that specific building features can be tailored to minimise the impact of cyclones and high winds.
Could a prefab home be the best option for your island accommodation?
In every area, our homes tick the right boxes for custom island accommodation. So if you’re looking for quality, sustainability, simplicity and flexibility a prefab home could be the ideal fit for you.
Want more prefab news, design inspiration and sustainable building tips? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop and be the first to know when we launch Scandi Homes in Australia.