The solid wood products industry in Canada has been primarily based on softwood species producing commodity lumber. However, due to varies constraints (such as the softwood lumber dispute), opportunities for further value added industries and products have been investigated. One of these areas has been prefabricated building systems. Over the past few years, a large number of studies have supported the value-added merits and market rationale of prefabricated home systems versus on-site/stick-built construction practices. Yet, while prefabricated homebuilding technology offers great potential, such as reduced construction cycle time and improved framing quality, the majority of new houses in North America are still framed on-site using the conventional ‘stick-built’ method. It remains the case that outside of the usage of wood roof trusses, modular home components such as floor and wall systems have made insignificant inroads in North America’s home building sector. Taking a market pull approach, the primary objective of this study was to identify the barriers to a wider acceptance of prefabricated construction systems by the homebuilding industry. Homebuilders across Canada and the US were asked to participate in focus group discussions so issues surrounding their perceptions and barriers to prefabricated component use could be brought to light. Through this effort, five major barriers were identified as limiting the use of prefabricated wall panels in residential construction, and areas of market opportunity were identified.
AFRI - 816G-06 pertaining to Prefabricated houses - Markets; Walls