Before diving into the interesting benefits if investing in these new homes, let’s take a look at the definitions of prefab/prefabrication and modular, and then take a closer look at the new and modern prefab modular homes.

Prefabrication is the practice of assembling parts in a factory, then transporting the complete or partial module to the construction site. Modular homes are homes in which there are design elements that are separate modules of the whole that can be used interchangeably to create different designs. Modular design, benefits the buyer because the interchangeable components can be moved around to better accommodate different spaces, styles, and needs. Think Rubik’s cube- the premise of the modular aspect of a home is similar. As long as the exterior dimensions remain the same, the rooms and walls within a design can be shuffled around.

So, what are the benefits of these new homes that combine elements of both prefabrication and modularity? First off, as already mentioned, the modular aspect of these homes, makes it possible to design a home that’ll complement the space you are placing it on. You can play around with a variety of different designs and create the perfect fit.

Since the modules are constructed in a factory, a high quality of construction is ensured. The fasteners are accurately applied, materials are cut with more exactness, and since they have to be transported, everything is tighter and more secure. This extends the life span and cuts on upkeep. Modular prefabrication factories also produce less waste as compared to standard home construction. The production of modular homes generates somewhere around 2% of waste, as compared with the 30-40% of wasted material generated from a standard home construction. Additionally, since the duration of pre-fab modular construction is shorter, and so the cost of production is lower.

Many companies use a very responsible cradle to cradle method of transportation. With this method, the components of the home are intended to be flat and standard and so the design can be sent to a computer and cut in masses at regional locations, packed flat and then shipped to local distribution areas.

Companies like Michelle Kaufman Designs are very conscious of the building materials they use. Sustainable touches with her designs include bamboo floors, energy efficient windows and doors and thick insulation. Her designs promote natural cooling, through the use of long shallow spaces and cross-ventilation. The need for artificial lighting is reduced with the gliding glass wall design and the placement of clerestory windows. Some homes include water conserving toilets, faucets and bathroom counter tops made of Richlite, a recycled-paper product. Outside, exterior walls are made of maintenance-free Cor-Ten steel, Galvalume (anodized alloy-coated steel), Hardi panels (cement board) or sustainable harvested Western red cedar planks.

Through afford ability and convenience, the development of the new modular pre-fab homes has brought eco-chic construction to a wider audience so that we many continue to live well, but tread lightly.

This stunning ECO-FRIENDLY property would not normally be found on the island, the developer takes a very keen interest in sustainable construction which he is promoting here in Tenerife and the design is therefore very futuristic but also charming. It has a very Scandinavian feel with a wealth of timber used in the construction.

The property itself is a magnificent piece of contemporary design and construction with its unusual shape and the use of laminated timber beams which enabled the formation of large spaces and panoramic balconies with decked terraces.

No expense has been spared in the development of this 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom Villa with an infinity pool. Imagine being in the pool and looking over the edge down towards the sea and across to the Island of Gomera. The views from this property are amazing, 180 degrees looking over the coast from Marzul through San Juan, Alcala, Playa Arena and on through to the mountains with views of Mount Teide.

The Villa has been constructed to a standard far in excess of the current and future building standards on the Canary Islands with great attention to detail and high standards of workmanship.

For Golfers, the new Abama 18 hole golf course is just down the hill and the renowned Adeje 27 hole golf course is only a short drive away. There is also a new golf course planned at Hoya Grande.

This dream villa would make a delightful residence or holiday home and with excellent letting potential as one of the most luxurious Villas on the Island it is an opportunity not to be missed.

The Accommodation

The Villa sits on a plot of 840 square metres on the edge of a hill village and boasts a 48 cubic metre heated swimming pool and double garage.

Outside there are a number of planters constructed around the terrace, with blue ceramic copings containing mature plants and trees.

Ground Floor:

The covered double glazed entrance doors lead into the entrance hall. The whole ground floor, staircase and both bathrooms are finished in extremely high quality large porcelain tiles.

The staircase is finished with highly polished stainless steel handrails and balustrades. There is also under stair storage.

The large entrance hall (which also leads to the rear door, pool and terrace) features exposed timber beams and central pillar.

There is a large Utility/laundry room containing kitchen cupboards, worktop, washing machine, and solar hot water cylinder.

The Guest suite has an on-suite bathroom and double glazed patio doors leading to the terrace and pool.

The fourth bedroom has double-glazed patio doors leading to the terrace.

There is an additional bathroom for bedroom four and as changing room for pool guests.

There is even an outside kitchen behind louvered doors for the terrace and the pool with kitchen units, worktop sink and drinks fridge, ideal for BBQ’s

First Floor:

The staircase leads from the main entrance hall to a large open plan with high ceilings and large picture windows, patio doors leading to a 44 sq.m. decked terrace with highly polished stainless steel handrail & balustrades. The decked terrace is the perfect place to admire the 180-degree views.

In the lounge one wall is dedicated as an entertainment wall with a 42 inch flat screen TV above an electric fire that also looks like a flat screen TV all built into a fireplace that houses all your entertainment facilities i.e. DVD, Sky box and your music centre.

The open plan custom kitchen is made from solid Birch with black granite worktops. Top quality appliances include a freestanding island with ceramic hob, double oven and stainless steel extraction unit. There is also an integrated fridge, freezer and dishwasher.

The master bedroom suite has an en-suite bathroom containing hydro massage bath, separate shower cubical, toilet, bidet and wall hung basin. The floor and walls are finished in large high quality porcelain tiles.

The second bedroom also has an on-suite bathroom with high quality porcelain tiles.

There is also a separate guest toilet.

Other than the two on-suite bathrooms the first floor is finished in solid hardwood parquet flooring in Birch.

Other Features:

The construction incorporates very high levels of insulation, both thermal and acoustic. This ensures the Villa stays cooler on the inside on the warmest days and warmer on the inside on cooler days.

All windows and doors are a new stainless steel aluminium finish with double glazing using blue safety glass.

The Villa comes complete with all internal and external light fittings and two automatic irrigation systems in the gardens.

Other features include automatic lighting control, intercom entry phones to floors, automatic electric garage gates, solar panels for hot water heating, heat pump for the swimming pool and an abundance of electrical outlets.

This property is being marketed by Expedia Property SL in Tenerife. To see photographs of this amazing house please visit the property webpage.

Now more than ever the environment is becoming a real concern. One thing that has damaged the environment significantly is our dependence on forms of energy that are either non-renewable or environmentally damaging. This can caused a real surge of research and development of appliances and gadgetry for the home that does not exact such a high toll on our environment. From energy efficient appliances to complete green design for homes, Eco-Brokers are at the forefront of education and implementation of these ideas. There are a huge number of new technologies that one can employ to make a home more friendly on the environment. Something as simplistic and ensuring that the home is properly sealed can save an incredible amount in heating and cooling bills or something as extreme as a complete solar power system can almost nullify the energy drain of a home.

There is a real move towards an eco-friendly society and we as a society should hope that it is not too late. Humanity has taken a real toll on the planet and it is something that we can see on a daily basis from the increased number of storms to the rising heat and the melting of the polar icecaps. The planet is clearly sending out a message that we need to make some changes to the way that we live our lives. Eco-Brokers are brining this change to the front lines of the real estate industry. If we are to make these changes then they need to start at home with individuals before they can become a greater part of society. After all without our planet, what do we have?

Economic and environmental realities are driving homeowners to look at how to maximize resource usage and to decrease the waste stream generated by construction projects. More of us are asking if there are better ways to remodel that can enhance health, reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance costs and minimize environmental impact. There is. It’s called green remodeling.

What is green remodeling? Essentially, it is the convergence of three basic principles:

• Increasing energy efficiency

• Improving indoor air quality

• Conserving natural resources

Perhaps the best way to describe the philosophy of green remodeling is that it is a form of applied common sense. Remodeling and renovation projects offer myriad ways to reduce, re-use and recycle. Salvaging and re-using materials can result in lower cost of materials and in the reduction of environmentally damaging waste disposal and lowering disposal-related fees. As a bonus, the use of salvaged materials, such as wood flooring, doors and antique fixtures can also add beauty and style to a newly remodeled space.

In their book, “Green Remodeling”, co-authors David Johnston and Kim Master refer to green remodeling as “Changing the World, One Room at a Time” (available at http://www.amazon.com), According to the authors, you can do this by employing green building processes and materials in remodeling projects, because going green “is more energy-efficient, more resource-conserving, healthier for occupants and more affordable to create, operate and maintain”.

Many products and practices used in remodeling a home can have negative effects on the environment. Green remodeling requires that thoughtful attention is given to minimizing or eliminating products or practices that could cause environmental damage or that could harm occupants during construction, or after the remodeling project is complete.

Since 1993, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) http://www.usgbc.org/ has developed and administered a Green Building Rating System. USGBC provides practical information on applying green building standards to building projects. The adoption of green practices is seen as a way homeowners can meaningfully contribute to efforts aimed toward reducing global warming. There are many green alternatives to standard practices that USGBC recommends:

• Use wood alternatives like engineered lumber, or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood harvested from managed forests (http://www.fscus.org)

• Employ renewable products like bamboo for flooring

• Reduce the use of paint and cleaning products containing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)

• Use natural fiber rugs and fabrics

• When available, use recycled or high recycled-content materials

• Plant trees to provide shade and wind protection, saving money on heating and cooling costs

• Green up your yard using native plants that are adapted to local soil and weather conditions, thereby lowering maintenance and reducing the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizer and irrigation

• Shop locally. When practical, use locally produced products to reduce carbon emissions caused by long distance transportation

When planning a remodeling project, bear in mind that it is both easier and cheaper to incorporate green materials and strategies in the early stages, rather than adding them piecemeal, or as an afterthought, when in the thick of the project.

Here are some green remodeling strategies to consider.

Energy Conservation

Ways to increase energy efficiency can range from simply adding an insulation blanket to your water heater and insulating hot water pipes to replacing older appliances with new Energy Star-rated appliances. Replacing a standard storage water heater with a so-called tankless water heating system can result in increased efficiency and significant monthly utility savings. Additional savings can be achieved by simply switching from incandescent to fluorescent lighting, which reduces energy consumption for lighting by up to 75 percent. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, homeowners who choose green alternatives when updating their homes could be eligible for tax credits to offset some remodeling costs. For details on available credits, go to the following website: http://www.energystar.gov.

If your remodeling project includes new exterior siding, consider having a professional evaluate the insulation in your exterior wall cavities and the energy efficiency of your doors and windows. If deficiencies are found, insulation materials such as cellulose, rock wool and some forms of foam can be installed from outside, without damaging interior wall surfaces. Adding a house wrap under new siding will markedly reduce air infiltration and exfiltration, saving on both heating and cooling costs. Tests commonly performed when evaluating the thermal efficiencies of your home can diagnose the ability of your wall, window and door systems to prevent heat loss and air infiltration. A primary technique to evaluate energy efficiency involves the use of ‘blower doors’ to test air inflow and outflow. http://www.homeenergy.org.

Replacing old single pane windows with insulated glass can save up to 25 percent on heating and cooling costs. The highest level of savings can be achieved by using so-called low-e glazing (for low emittance). Low-e coatings are microscopically thin, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on window or skylight glass primarily to reduce radiative heat flow. Low-e glass units are available that promote high, moderate or low solar gain, depending on your climate.

Indoor Air Quality

When an older home is tightened up to promote greater energy efficiency, it’s imperative to assure that adequate ventilation is available in order to assure healthy indoor air and to prevent interior moisture build-up.

Current research indicates that our indoor air is often more polluted than outside air. This increased concern is prompted by the realization that most people spend 80-90 percent of their time indoors.

There are many sources that can negatively impact indoor air quality. These include pollutants from the outdoor environment, and the toxic chemicals used inside the home from a variety of sources. Indoor air is often further degraded by other pollutants introduced by occupants, such as tobacco smoke, smoke or particulates emitted by home appliances that burn wood, coal, kerosene, and propane (or natural gas). Other significant sources of toxicity come from sealants, cleaning products, paint, asbestos, damp carpets or fabrics, and certain pressed-wood cabinet and furniture products that release chemicals into the air. In some areas, radon (a naturally-emitted subterranean radioactive gas found in some regions) can cause serious health problems. http://www.dspinspections.com

/radon_facts.htm

Green remodeling seeks to remedy these problems with a combination of air filtration, ventilation systems and choosing to use the least toxic product options. An overview of the problem and possible solutions are available from the Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html

Reduced Material Waste and Resource Conservation

As a rule, remodeling is more eco-friendly than new construction, since fewer materials and resources are consumed to remodel an old house than to build a new structure. Since 30 percent of materials disposed of at landfills typically consist of construction debris, there is a lot of room for improvement in home improvement.

Even though remodeling generally uses fewer materials than new construction, it can generate a significant waste stream. This results in 136 million tons of waste annually. Planning how salvaged materials can be used or recycled can lessen the costs and the impact of construction debris disposal. Good planning can pay off. If you choose not to re-use your old claw foot tub, you may find a local buyer that will be very happy to take it off your hands. The same is true about sinks, cabinets, lighting fixtures, doors, etc.

When it’s possible, using local materials, building with engineered lumber, and hiring recycling companies to remove waste all help to maximize resource use when remodeling.

Perhaps most important of all when you are considering a remodeling project, get back to the basics. Consider the advice of Sara Gutterman, co-founder of Green Builder magazine http://www.greenbuildermagazine.com:

“In order to accomplish the most desirable sustainable outcome, it is important to begin the process of remodeling with the end result in mind. Understanding the personal impetus behind your desire to remodel is paramount so that you can optimize your new design. Think about how you live in your home. Consider which spaces you use and which ones sit dark and lonely for most of the year, waiting those few special evenings when partygoers enter and infuse them momentarily with life. Many modern designs do not actually fit the needs of the typical homeowner. They often contain formal living spaces that remain unused because of their size and lack of intimacy. When we can understand that interior space is a precious resource just like clean water, air, and soil, we can begin to think more sustainably about it.”

 At Teton Village, the newly built Hotel Terra is tracking to receive silver LEED certification which will place it in the elite group of the 5 LEED certified hotels in the United States and the first LEED certified hotel in the state of Wyoming. The hotel’s green features include: low or no VOC paint, dual flush toilets, maximizing use of natural light, organic mattresses and bedding, and many more.

Another green project is Pine Glades, located near Snow King in the Town of Jackson. This high-end, townhome community is being built with environmental preservation in mind as all of the units will be utilizing only five out of the property’s seventeen acres leaving the remaining twelve as open space. One of the main goals of the project is to remove as few trees from the site as possible.  They will be accomplishing this by having the road which takes you through the development located underneath a portion of each structure.

In nearby Victor, Idaho, five homes in the Mountainside Village community were the first to be LEED for Homes Certified in the state of Idaho. In 2006, the Mountainside Village neighborhood received the Idaho Smart Growth Award in addition to being the pilot neighborhood for the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Neighborhood Development program. This community includes features such as walkable streets, bike paths and a convenient mixed-use center.

All of these projects are examples of how green building is on the rise. In a country where our homes our responsible for 21% of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, building green can greatly help stop the causes of climate change. Not only does it help protect our environment, but it also lowers energy use in addition to protecting our health. The green train is coming and it seems that Jackson Hole, Wyoming is getting on board.