How Much You Can Customize a Modular Building
From exterior finishes and windows to the inclusion of kitchens and locker rooms, there is an abundance of customization options available for modular buildings.
Modular buildings have come a long way from the temporary classrooms that many people think of when they hear the term “modular.” These days, there are many ways that modular buildings can be customized to meet the needs of clients working within a wide range of industries. The extent to which customization is possible often surprises people who are less familiar with modular construction.
Custom modular buildings can be multi-story and can be outfitted with elevators. Those used for barracks or office spaces can house more unexpected features, such as kitchens and locker rooms.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the options available for custom modular buildings. At Universal Modular, Inc. (UMI), the intended functions of requested customizations can almost always be matched to fit the client’s needs.
Modular building use
While schools still use modular buildings for temporary classrooms, there are several commercial industries that also find them useful. Custom modular buildings are primarily used for office space, as the interiors can be outfitted with human comfort elements, while the exteriors can be finished to match existing buildings. Modular buildings can also be customized to meet the needs of fast-food restaurants, barracks, medical offices, retail stores, and mixed-use spaces.
Types of customizations
Building height and size
Custom modular spaces can be built up to three stories high and can include elevators when needed or requested by the client. However, their footprint potential is unlimited. While a modular building’s height cannot exceed three stories, it can take up as much land space as is available.
Interior and exterior finishes
UMI can deliver all sorts of custom finishes that a client needs for their space. The exterior of a customized modular building can be finished to match existing buildings for consistency. Exterior windows and doors are also open to customization and product selection. UMI can match just about anything that clients wish to customize. For a building’s interior, UMI can provide standard commercial grade finishes up through higher-end marble and tile finishes.
Location
The ability to adapt to unusual space dynamics is a significant benefit of choosing modular construction. A modular building can be placed in a location that presents difficulties for traditional construction, and it can be transported by crane to its final destination when needed. Though modular buildings are fabricated in square and rectangle shapes only, these building blocks can be used creatively to fit the needs of tricky locations, or to adjust to site limitations. For example, a modular building can be placed on the side of a hill where traditional construction would be difficult, or inside the basement of a much larger building.
When necessary, UMI can pit set a building so that the finished product has a recessed foundation. This custom modular option allows the building to sit on a grade without the need for any deck steps or ramps, and gives the completed project a much stronger appearance of permanence.
Factory versus on-site customizations
A customized modular building’s interior is typically about 80% completed by the time it arrives on site. Specialty flooring and cabinets are among the kinds of customizations that are nearly finished in the factory, with the final 20% put in place after the building’s prefabricated pieces are assembled. Meanwhile, all customizations that appear on the exterior of the building are done on site.
Most common customizations
While there are many ways to customize a modular building, some customizations are more common than others. Many clients seek to customize a modular project’s exterior finish so that their new building matches existing structures. The second most common type of customization request involves human comfort elements, such as kitchens, break areas, locker rooms, and even showers. It might be surprising to learn the extent to which locker rooms and restrooms in particular can be customized. Once completed, these spaces essentially look no different from those that are found in conventionally constructed buildings.
Many clients request creative uses of modular blocks to fit spatial or site limitations. Others want clear span spaces within their customized modular buildings, which UMI can deliver. The ability to create an open space inside a modular building is perhaps the most unexpected customization option that is available, though some limitations do exist.
Customization limitations
The two main limitations for a custom modular building are its shape options and interior ceiling heights. Modular projects are only built in squares and rectangles, which means curved corners cannot be included in design proposals. However, all buildings that can be fabricated as a square or a rectangle can be modular. Meanwhile, modular buildings can reach three stories in height, but interior ceilings are generally limited to nine feet. Due to this ceiling height restriction, custom modular buildings typically do not work for warehousing and manufacturing, as these industries often require higher ceilings.
Though it is true that there are more customization constraints with modular construction than traditional construction, UMI is available to help clients figure out how they can wrangle what they want into what will work for a customized modular building. As we touched upon here, there are many exciting discoveries that clients will encounter along the way as they navigate the customization process. Contact UMI today to explore the options available for your custom modular building.