Costa Rica Prefabricated Home Systems – Buildings of the Future?

Both development and practice are still lacking in this kind of construction

The Costa Rican construction market offers all kinds of pre-fab construction systems. Steel, plastic, aluminum and wood top the list. Although in industrialized countries these are considered the best construction materials, in Costa Rica their use is stymied by lack of development, experience and practice.

Architects, engineers and builders all need to learn more about these systems and to learn to use them to their best advantage.

These systems have innumerable advantages:

1. Easy and quick installation.
2. Anti-seismic (earthquake resistant).
3. Less on-site labor.
4. Less waste and …
5. They are esthetically pleasing.

Pre fab systems are high quality because they are created in factories under controlled conditions. But their use is still very much in the formative stages in Costa Rica.

The best pre-fab systems should be modular, and offer completely finished products that include the option for future expansion.

Currently, most pre-fab systems in Costa Rica here are not completely integrated  that is they offer walls but not an entire liveable building. One suggestion is for manufacturers to create modular systems that can be combined (like “Lego” blocks) so that an entire building can be constructed. The number of different elements and their combination are factors that determine the versatility of a building.

Choosing these systems involves understanding not only their cost but also inherent aspects of quality, durability and maintenance. Many pre-fab systems can grow in area but not in space. In order to add an upper floor, the first level must be assessed by a structural engineer to determine how much weight the ground floor can support.

Climate and soil are also factors to consider before choosing a system. Often, foundations must be built on irregular surfaces or earth must be leveled or cemented, which necessitates choosing a system that works best there, without losing quality.

These systems are much more durable than traditional ones and they also require less maintenance.

Some pre-fab systems have little or no space for electric lines and once installed, the owner can discover that, for instance, the kitchen has only one electric outlet. Post-installation repairs can be costly.

Something for Everyone – Wood:

Usually dried, treated Eucalyptus planks that can be combined with other materials. Grupo Xilo builds houses with wood. Ecomaderas del Sur cures and bakes the wood at different temperatures, which increases their resistance.

Fiber-cement: light-weight systems, easy to install, earthquake resistant, reduced construction time (up to 40 percent). The color can be incorporated in the material.

PVC: modular system called “Royal” sold by Sicor is basically PVC panels and connectors, which are joined and then later filled with concrete. Earthquake resistant.

Block: Construction envisions a first stage of land clearing, gravel fill, and placement of electro-mechanical infrastructure. The system guarantees installation of a 130-square-meter, one-floor building, with cement, floor and water ducts in 22 days.

Tiles: The Concrete Prefab Industry offers a system of tiles and columns that are rapidly installed and do nor require a specialized labor force. One and two-story buildings of reinforced concrete are offered.

Our thanks to Gustavo Sanchez and our friends at La Nación – Costa Rica’s largest Spanish circulation newspaper for their permission use this article.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.