Modern Elegance In Commercial Modular Building Design

The topic of this blog is DON'T SETTLE!

I just published a great article on linkedin  follow that link to read more!

We want everyone out there to know you do not have to settle for the OLD modular design standard of wood siding, vinyl gyspum wall board, and VCT tile flooring.

There are so many great custom finishes out there today, for a very feasible fee and this  is what Modular Solutions, Ltd preconstruction team specializes in.

Look at stone or marble flooring, consider LED track lighting, ask for a reclaimed wood accent wall, have your LOGO on the storefront entry way, include inviting natural lighting in your design!

All of these design choices are easily accommodate, but not regularly incorporated into modular factory construction.   Modular Solutions, Ltd is here to say YES!  You can have these great modern and elegant design features incorporated into your new facility and make a statement.

To learn more about a better way to build contact our preconstruction team for a free estimate
Phone:  800-441-8577 x 1 (sales)
email:  informaiton@mod-sol.com
WEBSITE:   www.ModularSolutionsLtd.com

Commercial Modular Building Siding Choices

Commercial Modular Building Advantages, Life Cycle, & Global Warming Impact Study Released

What siding to choose for my new commercial modular building?

The modular building industry has seen some great siding or exterior finish options over the years, and has also had some options that performed with less than desirable results.  Since this blog is about sharing, and learning together I found a study on line that is a comparison of the various sidings. 

This study reveals life cycle, cost per sq. ft (which will of course vary, but great for consumer budgeting spread sheets), and global warming impact.

There are so many considerations when selecting a final siding.  


Up NW in cold and wet climate a majority of our clients prefer the hardi (cement) lap siding.   In the SW they like stucco.  In the central and midwest parts of the USA they like wood siding or vinyl siding.  In the SE seem that Steel or Aluminum are high selling.  We have to help our clients look at options every day, and there are many factors that contribute to the final choice.

• What do other buildings in the area look like
• How long do we want the building to last & how much budget do we have
• Do you want to make an architectural statement
• What are the severe weather conditions in your area
• Are you concerned with recycle value at the end of the life cycle
• Do you want a sustainable product for your siding finish

Options and Analysis

Cladding Alternatives
Cladding types	Expected Life (years)	cost/sf (material + labor)	cost/sf/yr of expected life	End-of-Life	Practice
stucco	75 (depends on maintenance)	$4.18	$0.075	Landfilled (metal lath recyclable)	standard
brick	100+(typically life of the bldg)	$9.70-$15.30	$0.078	Possible reuse	standard
wood	25-75 (depends on maintenance)	$3.07*-$4.95	$0.080	Biodegradable	standard
fiber-cement	501	$2.31-$2.75	$0.051	Recyclable (currently no programs available)	May require some training (cutting & sealing joints)
aluminum	20-50	$2.27-$2.95	$0.075	Recyclable	standard
steel	40	$2.80	$0.07	Recyclable	standard
vinyl	35	$1.75-$2.06	$0.076	Recyclable (currently no programs available)	standard
hardboard	10-25	$2.03	$0.102	biodegradable	standard
wood-resin/plastic composite	20-30	not available	not available	Difficult to recycle	standard

For a full review of the study follow this LINK.   We will also be glad to help you evaluate your choices and your options.    Call our team or email us with any questions:

Modular Solutions, Ltd

Phone: 800-441-8577 x 1 (Sales)

Email: Information@mod-sol.com

Website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com

Drywall Textures, Are There Choices For My Modular Building?

One of the fun aspects of my job is teaching clients the versatility of interior finishes. Many modular building factories do not offer a choice when it comes to interior wall covering. The factory is only equipped to offer knockdown texture or VCG (vinyl covered gypsum), to keep their modular building line moving faster. Clients that are ordering a custom modular building will often ask is there any other option for interior finishes. There are literally so many choices (wall paper, plaster, material, custom paint, etc) we can cover this topic in the blog for a few weeks, but to keep to this question, what options are there for drywall textures.
In the gypsum industry they assign "levels" of drywall preparation which are fairly standard.
Levels 0-5 are various stages of preparation as to how smooth and polished the final finish will be.

As far as textures go some common finishes in the industry are:
1. Painted drywall: (for storage or non traffic areas)
2. Knock down texture: can be easily replaced of damaged with uneven finish level and no specific pattern
3. orange peel texture: Common in government offices. Greater attention to detail and similar level of texture pattern & level throughout. More complex to fix or repair
4. drywall swirl (sand swirl, mud swirl), pattern is in little fan like sweeps and consistent in thickness, texture, and pattern.
5. Sand finish: very common with hospitals or clinical environment where they do not want any chance for germs to get trapped into the texture of the drywall. Used with scrubbable paint.

There are entire websites and organizations dedicated to the various levels of drywall texture and the qualities of each. Research and an experienced team will help you make the right choice.

For more information contact our team:
Modular Solutions, Ltd
Phone: 800-441-8577 x 1
email: information@mod-sol.com
website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/modularsolutionsltd
you tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/modularsolutionsltd

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Should I Choose Wood Or Concrete Siding For My Modular Building?

In the modular building industry many clients ask should they go with the traditional wood siding products or should they choose a newer yet still proven concrete panel siding. Both have advantages and disadvantages. When you are making this choice factors such as location ,use, climate, budget, desired look all have a play in your decision. Poor installation has been the culprit of "siding gone bad" on some occasions, so make sure you purchase from a reputable modular building company.


Advantages of hardboard sidings:
* Comes in taller sizes so you don't have to have a trim board at 8' if you want lower maintenance costs
* Can be easily painted, as required to keep appearance fresh and new
* Is readily available off the shelf, most often no lead times required
* Easy to replace if damaged by storm or accident
* Appearance is always the same, from year to year, batch to batch
* Affordable option

Disadvantages of hardboard sidings:
* Requires annual or semi-annual paint to look fresh
* Wood not good in wet or wood pecker climates
* Boring appearance, "trailer" feel

Advantages of cement sidings:
* Critter resistant- termites etc
* Fire resistant, not PROOF- but resistant
* Easy to paint and refresh appearance
* Have lap or stucco or smooth panels for variety
* Holds up well in wet climates

Disadvantages of cement sidings:
* More expensive than wood siding
* Brittle, requires substraight and wrap under material
* Sometimes long lead on projects & not always "shelf" ready in all locations
* Sometimes minimum quantities apply on orders, making it more expensive to fix a damaged panel
* NOT tongue & groove, joints sometimes separate or don't appear straight/level

Both are used equally weighted for various reasons. In the end you want to know you made the choice based on an educated decision process. Modular Solutions, Ltd can provide samples, and examples of projects with both types of siding and you are able to judge for yourself what you want to use. Additionally SIDINGS are NOT the only choice. READ OTHER POSTS for options available or contact our team at Modular Solutions, Ltd for more details:

Modular Solutions, Ltd
Mailing Address: P O Box 15507-Phoenix, AZ 85060
Phone: (800) 441-8577 x 1
Email: Information@mod-sol.com
Website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/modularsolutionsltd
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/modularsolutionsltd

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Modular Building Wall Covering Finishes, Help Me Choose!

Commercial modular builders have commonly limited customer choices in wall covering to keep costs lower in production, and build faster. As a client you are not limited to a small selection of prefinished wall panels. There are some very attractive options in the commercial modular industry that will help you enjoy the environment of your new modular buildings.

Tips for choosing your wall covering:
1. Work with your schedule, some textures and finishes have additional steps which may slow your schedule by a few days
2. Work with your budget, Pretty....is yes sometimes expensive
3. Share the use of your rooms during the design phase of your modular building so the best solution can be developed
4. If image is important spend the time & energy to work with the preconstruction design team to explore options.
5. Don't settle. If you want a design that a factory is not willing to include or is trying to "change" your mind- talk with another factory. Experienced factories that build custom modular buildings are capable of taking care of any style you want to include.

Contact our preconstruction team at Modular Solutions, Ltd (800) 441-8577 x 1
email: information@modularsolutionsltd.com
website: www.modularsolutionsltd.com

all rights reserved ©