8 | MARCH 2020
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION
How modular methods can contribute to reduced emissions
According to the UK Green
Building Council (UKGBC), ap-
proximately ten per cent of car-
bon dioxide emissions produced
in the UK are attributed to the
construction industry. In 2017,
the government announced a
deal with the industry that aims
to halve emissions by 2025 —
but for this to be achieved, the
sector must make some changes.
Here, Nick Cowley, managing
director at leading window and
door manufacturer Euramax,
explains why modular construc-
tion is the appropriate method
to help reduce emissions.
Modular construction
is the process of pre-
fabricating parts of a
building — referred to
as modules — offsite,
before transporting the
elements to the intend-
ed location for assembly.
This increasingly popular
method boasts many bene-
fits for both the industry and
for the public.
One key benefit includes the
provision of habitable accom-
modation at a faster and cheap-
er rate than traditional methods
of construction, which is vital
to combatting the current UK
housing shortage and lowering
emissions.
Fast and low
In fact, from site preparation
to the completion phase, it can
take just 90 days for a modular
home to be built – 50 per cent
faster than traditional building
methods. This shorter comple-
tion time also means that 67
per cent less energy is used to
construct the build.
In addition, as most of the
building is fabricated offsite,
less machinery is required and
there is often upwards of 90 per
cent fewer deliveries by vehicle
to the site. This elimination of
vehicle pollution and a low-
er impact on road congestion
means a modular build site
can greatly reduce its carbon
emissions impact in compari-
son to traditional construction
methods.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Often referred to as the ‘three
R’s’, modular construction pro-
motes the reduction of waste,
reusing a building, its materials
and the recyclability of the mate-
rials used.
Traditional construction
materials, such as cement or
concrete, can be harmful to the
environment. Cement produc-
tion, for example, is linked to
around eight per cent of annual
global carbon dioxide emissions.
However, increasing modular
construction has the potential to
reduce per centages like this, as
94 per cent of materials used in
modular construction, such as
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
approved timber and sustainably
sourced steel, are eco-friendly.
As modular builds are con-
structed with prefabricated
modules, the entire building
can be easily dismantled at the
end of its planned use, whereas
traditional constructions must be
demolished at the end of their
use. The ability to dismantle a
modular building means that
it can be recycled, or relocated
and reused for another purpose,
ultimately reducing the environ-
mental impact as minimal waste
is created.
There is also little waste
produced during the manufac-
turing and construction stages
of any modular build. The Waste
& Resources Action Programme
(WRAP), claims that offsite
construction produces 90 per
cent less waste compared to
traditional construction methods,
a figure that can be attributed to
the quality-controlled production
that modular builds undergo.
Whatever the weather
Typical onsite building loca-
tions can be disrupted by adverse
weather conditions, especially
during the winter months, which
can have a detrimental impact
on construction and account for
significant quantities of wasted
produced.
However, as modular builds
are constructed in a controlled,
weatherproof environment, there
is little risk of climate, season-
al changes or weather events
affecting production. This means
that modules can be fabricat-
ed to a high standard and with
minimal disruption, reducing
the likelihood of any unneces-
sary waste. Yet, if any issues do
arise, production managers can
ensure they are resolved before
the modules are shipped to the
site — further supporting the
reduction of overall construction
waste.
Thermal efficiency
However, it’s not just during
the construction phase that mod-
ular builds are environmentally
beneficial. Modular builds are
particularly energy and thermal
efficient and reports indicate that
the lifetime carbon footprint of a
new modular building is 90 per
cent lower than that of a tradi-
tional structure.
As the modules are bolted to-
gether, this makes modular con-
structions incredibly airtight. Fur-
thermore, by law, modular builds
must comply with L2 Building
Regulations for the conservation
of fuel and power, ensuring ther-
mal efficiency and minimal heat
loss. As a result, modular builds
are now commonly installed
with energy saving assets such as
energy efficient glass, geothermal
systems and solar panels.
Euramax supplies high energy
efficient glass, rated A+ by The
British Fenestration Rating Coun-
cil (BFRC), which is suitable for
modular and offsite construction
projects. By optimising thermal
performance, modular builds
do not require large amounts of
energy, making them cheaper
to run and heat, and therefore,
better for the environment.
Although the benefits that
modular construction offers are
widely recognised, the environ-
mental benefits that this they
provide is not as thoroughly
understood. However, if the
construction industry wants to
achieve halved emissions by
2025, then adopting modular
construction could be essential.
With quicker completion times,
minimal waste and reusable
materials contributing to reduce
energy and emissions, modular
construction could really be
the key to a sustainable, emis-
sion-free future.
www.euramaxuk.com