Prefabs

[horseshoes]

Having a chat today about building etc etc, and we were wondering why they aren't building prefabs again. We had a small estate of them in our town and the people I know who lived in them loved them. We lived in one in Cheshire while we waited for a new house, and my Mum said it was so cosy. I've seen that some are now even protected buildings. Surely they would help the housing shortage. What are your views?

[Prudie]

I didn't think they'd built any of those since the post-war period. Is not the housing shortage more a lack of land rather then the buildings themselves?

[RATTER15]

probably just no profit in them, especially with today's strict building regs.

[Maydup]

I don't think the housing shortage is quite bad enough. The prefabs were used to home people in the emergencies of the bombed towns and cities post war. My grandma had one and it was cosy and she was very sad to leave. But these days I doubt they'd be acceptable for housing.

[horseshoes]

Yes Prudie I'm talking about the 1950s when we lived in one. They demolished the ones where I live now in the early 70s. I realise about the lack of land, but when they do (and I'm sure they will) start building again, I think that they might once more be used.

[horseshoes]

Sorry, I overlapped a couple of replies. I think it's a shame 'cos they were SO cosy.

[jomifl]

I lived in one along with the rest of my family from the age of about 4 years until twelve. We had to move because the 2 bedrooms were not enough for parents, 2 brothers and a sister. They were simple practical and easy to clean being fitted out in aluminium. They were very well insulated for the time, though the lack of double glazing meant ice inside the windows often in the winter.

[maggiebee]

Still quite a few prefabs standing in Dundee as the tenants bought them from the council. No mortgages were available though, so guess they went pretty cheaply.

[Buenchico]

Most modern houses have plenty of pre-fabricated elements in them anyway. (For example, carpenters no longer build roof structures; they're delivered to the site largely ready-made).

Further, the materials used the old pre-fabs wouldn't meet the thermal insulation requirements required from modern homes.

Regrettably too, there seems to be something about pre-fabs which can make people look down upon their occupants. I can't explain it and I'm certainly not seeking to justify it, but children who lived in pre-fabs were bullied mercilessly by the other children in the school I taught at.

[jomifl]

Astonishing, it was the kids from the prefab estates that did the bullying in N.E. London

[Canary42]

Static mobile (an oxymoron) homes are the modern equivalent of pre-fabs.

[horseshoes]

Interesting. Thanks all.

[Buenchico]

A well written article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2013/apr/04/prefab-housing-benefits-costs

and showing how it's possible to have an individually designed house erected within a week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inyjfMkq_VA

[horseshoes]

Wow Chris, that IS impressive!