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Published: 3 September 2021 in Building Types
How Long Do Modular Buildings Last?
The life expectancy of modular buildings, just like traditional buildings, depends on the maintenance and upkeep after handover. But in many cases, this can be in excess of 30 years and in many cases, modular buildings often outlast their original intended purpose.
Factors That Affect the Life Expectancy of a Modular Building
There are, of course, many factors that can affect how long any building type lasts. These include:
- Poor onsite installation
- Poor quality control
- Harsh and/or damp environments when constructing
- Lack of maintenance
- Low-quality materials
Here is a little more information about the three key factors:
Material Quality
By using high-quality, durable materials such as steel, modular buildings can last longer than traditional buildings of the same type. Furthermore, choosing quality finishes for the interior and exterior of a building will help extend the life of the building.
It’s also important to note that because modular buildings are built to be transported, they are also built to withstand the stresses of transportation and craning them into their final position.
Construction Quality
Our modular buildings are manufactured off-site in our ISO-approved workshop in St Helens, which is a controlled factory environment, including all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fixtures and interior finishes. This protects the completed structure and all the building materials from exposure to heat, moisture and other conditions that might deteriorate their quality; not being exposed to all the elements often means that they are generally in better condition than the materials used on a traditional site.
Maintenance and Inspections
With regular maintenance and even updates to finishes and exterior surfaces, modular buildings can last for several decades. They are flexible and can be easily remodelled based upon changes in use or location.
Factors That Increase the Longevity of Modular Buildings
Factors that increase a modular building’s life expectancy include:
- Quality testing of the building when manufacturing and upon installation
- Careful design and construction of the building’s foundation
- Use of interior finishes that are easy to clean and repair
- Use of durable exterior finishes
Modular Building Durability: Temporary vs Permanent Buildings
Temporary, relocatable modular buildings are designed to be reused or re-purposed multiple times and transported to different sites. But, “temporary” does not mean they are not built to last. They are intended to serve short-term and/or urgent needs and are designed for easy teardown and relocation. The “temporary” designation has more to do with how the structures are installed on the building site.
With proper care, temporary modular buildings have a service life of at least 25 to 30 years, after which the components are typically repurposed or recycled.
Permanent modular buildings can be integrated into site-built projects or stand alone as turnkey solutions.
When permanently affixed, they offer far greater flexibility, such as the ability to incorporate brick facings, site-built roofs, entrance canopies, interior lobbies and stairwells, elevators, glass storefronts, and custom layouts. They offer outstanding quality for the money, for just how durable they are.
With proper care, permanent modular buildings have a lifespan of at least 50 years.
Opt For Springfield
Despite there being factors that can reduce a modular building’s lifespan, as there are with any other structures, working with a trusted, experienced modular construction business company such as Springfield can mitigate these factors. Your dedicated point of contact will pay close attention to all factors, ensuring that you have a structure that is strong and durable for decades.
If you’d like some further information on projects we have previously successfully delivered, take a look at our case studies, testimonials and brochure. Or, to get in contact with our expert team for a friendly discussion, give us a call on 01744 851 958, fill out our contact form or request a callback, we would love to work with you to create your ideal building.
