Are Modular Homes the Green Building Future?

Pre-fabricated and modular homes are certainly not new; they've been around for over 50 years. But the idea of concentrating pre-fabricated into the new green standard is new and several companies are leading the way in the development of these eco-friendly structures. Smaller is better judging by today's housing market and these modular homes can get a platinum LEED, the highest award achievable by the US Green Building Council.

LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is building and designing a structure that saves water, energy and reduces its environmental impact. Points are awarded for eco-friendly building materials, recycling waste, energy-efficiency and water reclamation, etc. The more the points, the higher the rating. Reducing the size of the building is a great way to start and that's why many of these structures can achieve such a high rating. Learn more at the official LEED website here.

One of these particular structures is built by Clayton Homes. It is has appeared on the DIY network and has been featured by several publications as being the green home of the future. Features like Energy Star rated appliances, bamboo flooring, low VOC paint and tankless water heaters drive rating points sky high. Topped it off with solar panels, a rain water storage system and energy-efficient windows, the LEED rating skyrockets and the home achieves a platinum rating. Learn more about the I-house here.

But what they are not really advertising too loud is that the house is only 723 square feet and contains only one bedroom, 1 ½ bathrooms, a kitchen/living room and a flex room separated by a deck. They give you the option of kicking the house out into an L-shape to maximize the design. It's great going green, but it's not for a family of four.

GreenPod, another eco-friendly modular home designing company, works with a simple but efficient home design that is more traditional that the futuristic look of the I-home. More like art deco modern cabins, these tiny units achieve very high LEED ratings almost as good as its counter part. What I like is that with the addition of porches, the living space doubles-at least when the weather permits.

But where does a family of four fit into the modular green home? Blu Homes are a group of builders who specializes in larger three bedroom eco-friendly modular homes. With traditional designs and prices starting at $82,000 it's easy to see why modular home construction is beginning to lead the way in green home building. It's cheap, it's energy-efficient and its environmental impact is small.

The down side is that it's small. Even the three bedroom models are barely 1,000 square feet. If cramped living conditions are the price to pay for energy-efficiency and sustainability, then the green modular home market is only going to have a tough time expanding. Look to see more green modular home construction in the future with more living space.