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Sustainable Kit Homes
What is a kit home?
Prefabricated kit homes are homes that are pre-built in sections in a factory. The component parts are then transported flat-packed to your building site for assembly. Because they need to be transported affordably, kit homes tend to be made of lightweight but robust building materials, such as steel or timber frames with timber walls and Colorbond roofing.
Because of their lightweight construction, kit homes can be moved from one location to another even after they are assembled. Kit homes have traditionally been used for weekenders, holiday homes and “granny flats”, but there are now many kit home designs intended as main homes.
Kit home manufacturers often use a modular design system that allows you to create different size homes by adding extra modules, such as extra bedrooms, onto a basic core design. They are designed for owner-builders to self-assemble, although most kit home companies can put you in touch with builders who will do the construction for you. Either way, they are designed to be easy and fast to put together.
Kit home companies will often come to your block to assess its suitability for their design, and they may also put in the development application to your local council on your behalf.
Why choose a kit home?
Kit homes can offer great value for money, especially if you are able to do the construction work yourself. Most kit homes are designed to be assembled by non-builders, although basic handyman competence is required. They also avoid the cost of employing an architect or building designer at the initial design stage.
Passive solar design
Because kit homes come in pre-set designs, it is important to consider the orientation of your block. You need to find a design with suitable passive solar orientation, so sunlight can enter the home in winter but can be shaded out in summer. Normally that means the living areas will face north. But you also need to be aware of any features that may affect the amount of sunlight entering your home, such as tall trees on neighbouring properties that block out the sun.
Small is beautiful
An efficient floorplan that maximises practical living space and minimises wasted areas such as large hallways means you can get the same living space with a smaller home. And because a smaller home means less construction materials and less energy to heat and cool the home once it is built, this will make your home more environmentally friendly - and cheaper (which can leave you more of a budget to fit other sustainability features).
Appliances
If the kit home package comes with appliances such as dishwasher, washing machine, fridge and oven, then look out for good water and energy ratings for all these appliances.
Key environmental features
Kit homes can offer an affordable way to build an eco-friendly home. Here is a quick check-list of things to look for in a sustainable kit home:
• Efficient design maximising practical living space to allow a smaller-sized home.
• Passive solar orientation that works your block.
• Passive solar design features such as eaves, shading, verandahs and so on.
• Uses sustainably harvested plantation timber, such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved timber.
• Uses materials that have a long lifespan and can be easily recycled after use, such as steel.
• Has energy-saving features such as double-glazed windows.
• Good insulation.
• Non-toxic, natural paints and varnishes.
• Additional environmental features such as greywater systems, composting toilets or solar panels.
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