Garages are the most common way to protect your car, particularly during harsh winter months. When it comes to having a garage, you have two choices: prefabricated and constructed. You might be wondering which one is better than the other since both garages almost do the same job: storing your vehicle when you are not using it. This article will tell you the differences between constructed and prefabricated garages that help you decide whether to go for either of them or look for something else entirely.
One of the reasons why most people do not have a garage is because it can be very expensive. The high price of owning a garage includes the cost of construction, land, and accessories such as doors and windows. In addition to that, you will still have to pay for permits and fees with your local municipality in case they require one. Prefabricated garages cost less than constructed ones since manufacturers already assemble your unit from scratch before shipping it out to you. Also, there are no construction costs involved in getting a prefabricated garage on your property since all you need is a flat surface for installation. You can thus save on time and money by going with a prefabricated garage rather than constructing one yourself.
Prefabricated garages are ideal if you want to have a garage that is uniquely designed. These prefab garages are available at your preferred measurements so that they can fit perfectly in the space of your choice thus saving more money on installation costs. You can also choose the color and material for your prefab unit's body which ranges from wood, brick, cedar shingles, stone veneer among others. On the other hand, it is hard to replicate customizations with constructed garages because these buildings are built on site. The construction team will install on-site materials over an area where there was no previous building which might not offer options for customization as well as limit how much you can innovate with your design.
Both built and prefab units offer you the option of choosing your preferred material for installation, however, there is a big difference when it comes to experience in construction. Most manufacturers of prefabricated garages have been in business for decades, if not centuries which means they are experienced with their products thus making them the best choice when it comes to getting quality service. Construction companies might be new which can affect how your unit turns out after installation especially if they do not follow guidelines properly without any supervision. Moreover, most prefabricated garages come with their own manuals that outline how to build these units which greatly helps homeowners who don't know anything about building garages. You won't have that with a constructed garage since you will be working with different professionals during the building process and it is difficult to tell whether they understand how to build these structures or not.
Prefabricated garages are usually covered under warranties which you can get directly from the manufacturer. This warranty expires after a year of the purchase or upon completing your garage, whichever comes first. These prefab units also come with guarantees of quality service that varies depending on the company that manufactures these buildings. In addition to that, you can also get a warranty from your contractor after their completion of work.
However, this is not the case with constructed garages since you might have to contact different people for service depending on which part of the garage malfunctions. Most builders only offer a warranty for a year or two while others do not even bother giving one at all if they are confident in their built product's quality.
Prefabricated garages come with slabs that prevent them from being installed on sloped surfaces without adding extra support. This means that prefab units will not fit in steep driveways because they need flat surfaces for installation which would cost more money if the driveway is already sloped when you buy them.
On the other hand, you can install constructed garages on sloped driveways and slopes because these buildings come with their own built-in support systems that prevent sinking or tilting during installation. Moreover, prefabricated garages are typically shorter than constructions which means you buy unneeded materials to ensure your structure is at least 8 feet high.
Prefabricated garages offer more insulation than constructed ones so they save more money on energy bills compared to other options available in the market today. The absence of a complete seal prevents heated or cooled air from escaping quickly which will ultimately give homeowners lower utility bills every month since less heat or cool air escapes into outside spaces.
On the other hand, constructed garages mean you will need to spend extra money on door insulation and other materials that can keep heat, cool air or even moisture inside.
Both prefabricated and constructed garages offer safety measures such as locks and alarms, however, there are specific models of prefab buildings that come with thick doors and windows made using bulletproof glass. This quality is not available in construction units which means you might have limited options if your goal is to provide a safe place for your family.
Prefabricated garages can be inspected before installation begins as well as after they have been completed. This allows you to monitor the production process from start to finish and ensures that every unit meets your standards and specifications. Inspection reports let you know whether problems such as cracks and leaks exist during manufacturing thus saving time for repairs before finishing the unit and installing it into its intended site.
However, construction teams usually do not inspect materials or units before they are assembled on-site which means that it can be hard to determine early signs of damage. Moreover, construction garages cannot be inspected after installation because these buildings are expected to "settle" over time and any repair work or modifications can make them become prone to warping or cracking due to the pressure exerted by the structure.
Prefabricated garages are less damaging to the environment because they reduce waste during production. Materials used in prefab units are designed to fit together perfectly thus ensuring that nothing is wasted when assembling units into complete structures. Most prefabs today are made using recycled materials that divert waste from landfills while keeping the earth clean at the same time. However, since construction units are made of whole materials, it is not possible to control the amount of waste that builds up during production. This means that manufacturers might discard or use leftover parts instead of disposing of them properly which can be harmful to the environment in the long run because recycling materials does not guarantee their quality and usefulness after disposal.
In all, prefab garages are better than constructed ones because they offer more benefits for homeowners and residents of a specific property. Moreover, the use of advanced technologies during production ensures that you do not need to spend lots of time and money on regular maintenance since these buildings can last longer without wear and tear compared with construction alternatives. Prefab structures also give owners more space inside their garages which is essential especially if you have several vehicles or pieces of equipment that need storage. Lastly, prefabs save money upon installation as well as in the long run so you will enjoy reduced utility bills every month until your garage falls apart after years of usage.
Next Article
