Public opinion backs masonry

90% of people refer to live in a home with the characteristics of modern masonry construction - that is, excellent sound insulation, longevity and robustness.

In theory off site construction ticks all the right boxes, manufacture in controlled conditions, not delayed by inclement weather or shortages in labour, quickly churning out perfectly exact modules with scales of economies that make perfect sense.

What could be simpler?.

The problem is that nothing is ever constructed in a utopia of 'controlled conditions' and that judging successful building on speed alone ignores the real issues to do with market demand and preference, planning, performance, durability, adaptability, ready supply of materials and workforce.

A Trained Workforce.

The biggest argument for using off-site construction methods relates to the availability of skilled workers.

Scare stories have been circulated suggesting there is a shortage of skilled labour to cope with increased production, but this is simply not the case and it is certainly not an argument for restricting the number of new houses or promoting one type of building method over another.

Admittedly, this is an area that the entire building industry needs to improve but the 'traditional skilled trades' have already begun this process.

And with construction training courses full to capacity country wide there is evidence that crafts-based professions are increasingly attractive, not only to school leavers but also to people opting for a change in life style.

And the lightweight frame sector is not without its problems in this area too.

The recent Manufacturing Excellence UK Capacity in Off-Site Manufacturing report published in January 2004 by the Housing Forum for Construction Excellence, reports that 37% of manufacturers in this sector cited the skills shortage and 47% cited market demand as obstacles to the growth in off-site manufacturing techniques.

And it would be fair to say it is fine to construct panels or modules in factory conditions but they still need to be established on site by the existing workforce, which at present is not familiar with this technology.

Masonry Is More Tolerant.

The fact remains that construction is not an exact science, particularly when it comes to housebuilding, which is in part because nature itself is not exact.

Trying to impose an exact factory produced form into what is an inexact environment is always going to be a challenge.

That is why masonry housing has been so successful for so long as it is constructed in smaller formats - bricks and blocks - which allow for far greater tolerances to be taken into account on site as the job is worked on.

A Reliable, Proven Method.

Nobody would dispute that off-site construction methods meet the current building regulations but the performance of masonry construction in terms of going above and beyond the required minimum is undisputable in terms of thermal mass, durability and adaptability.

The industry understands brick and block as it has been used for centuries and has stood the test of time.

Many Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian houses form some of the most desirable blueprints for homes today - not only are they full of character but they are easily adaptable for modern living with extensions, basements and conversion into flats or offices, not always so readily achievable with modular alternatives.

Ready Supply of Materials.

The reliable supply of materials is vital in the build process.

It is vital that these be easy to source and that they can be delivered to site at the appropriate times.

Housebuilders will often begin a development placing orders for blocks as they go, secure in the knowledge that the suppliers will cope and the performance of the materials will not be affected by their being stored in the elements.

Factory Built Options are a False Economy.

By contrast, investment in a prefabricated development involves a heavy level of commitment from the builder before the first brick is laid.

Factories by their very nature produce volume and deliver in bulk often resulting in large quantities of modules being left in costly storage or delivered to site to be left in inclement environments, often leading to damages.

No such problems arise with brick and block.

Modern Masonry is Cheaper.

Kate Barker has recently published her report into the housing crisis and far from wholeheartedly backing the OPDM's championing of off-site construction, urges caution and points out that masonry construction is currently on average 10% cheaper than off-site alternatives.

Instead Barker points to planning laws, tackling nimbyism enforcing higher density requirements and opening up more land for affordable housing as more long term sustainable methods of solving the crisis.

Masonry is Innovative.

The assumption that "new" always translates to "innovate" is misleading.

Factory goods by their very nature produce volume items that are the same.

By contrast, building in modern concrete masonry allows for a far greater flexibility in design, room shape, size and larger open plan living as the residual strength is borne in the structure, not in the modular sections.

Public Opinion Backs Masonry.

Importantly, masonry construction is what the public want.

A recent MORI poll revealed the following statistics:.

* 89% of people believed the construction type to be important in their choice of home.

* 90% of people refer to live in a home with the characteristics of modern masonry construction - that is, excellent sound insulation, longevity and robustness.

* 71% of homeowners believe that masonry homes have a long lifespan - a truth borne out by years of physical proof.

* 69% of homeowners believe that they will achieve a favourable resale value from a home constructed in modern concrete masonry.

* 70% thought that builders should advise prospective buyers of the build type.

A Sound Financial Investment.

Public opinion is rooted firmly behind modern masonry construction for several reasons because as humans we have a strong emotional attachment to our homes as they represent our physical and financial security.

As what is, for most of us, the largest financial investment we will ever make it is vital to feel secure that the investment is a sound one and that there will be something to pass on to our offspring long after the mere 50 year lifespan that building's currently must achieve.

These concerns have been echoed by a recent comment from the Association of British Insurers, whose spokesman expressed concern about the potential insurance premiums associated with experimental construction methods: "It is not apparent to us that anyone has looked into the resilience of [lightweight prefabricated] houses.

What we build today has got to be facing the elements in 50 years times.

Crucially no-one has taken this into account so far.

If certain types of construction become associated with problems then they will be expensive to insure.

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