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EUROPEAN MODULAR HOMES
What We Do
Who We Are
European Modular Homes (EMH) is a supplier of prefabricated 2D modular building systems, with a primary focus on the residential sector. We work with your architect to bring your design ideas to life in an energy efficient, healthy and affordable way.
EMH manufactures bespoke standalone, terraced and semi-detached buildings up to 10m in height, in accordance with NZS3604:2011.
EMH provides you with a full set of technical drawings for your building consent, including a detailed installation plan that can be easily implemented by your builder.
The EHM system is in the final stages of Codemark certification. This means our system can be used to build anywhere in New Zealand. Codemark is a voluntary product certification scheme that provides an easily-understood and robust way to show our building products and system meet the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code. More information can be found HERE.
EMH was created for the sole purpose of addressing the growing need for higher quality, affordable and healthy housing in New Zealand. As Kiwis, we are deeply concerned with the quality of existing housing stock in New Zealand and the impact this has on the health and wellbeing of our people.
Our primary focus is working with developers and construction companies with an ethical lens on construction, incorporating environment, health and affordability.
We work with an established manufacturing company with over 20 years experience supplying to the European market, including the UK. The factory is ISO 9001:2015 accredited and is one of the largest in Northern-Europe.
What is Prefabricated Construction?
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Prefabricated construction is the practice of assembling a variety of structural components at the manufacturing site, before transporting them to a construction jobsite.
It’s simply a method of precision assembly that bypasses the traditional stick-build system, in the same way we have used pre-nailed trusses for 20 years in New Zealand.
The EMH Advantage
The EMH system offers a number of benefits compared to traditional construction methods, including:
Cost
1. Direct savings of up to 15% when using a comparable quality energy efficient system.
2. Free up financial resources to focus on your next project with faster build times.
3. Indirect savings because of our energy efficient system.
Time
1. Less than one week to erect a watertight 200m² building.
2. No more ‘down tools’ due to poor weather conditions - it never rains inside our factory.
3. The number of BCA inspections are reduced because of building code compliance using Codemark.
Energy Efficiency & Health
1. EMH System achieve significantly higher R-ratings on panels and windows.
2. Less heat escape and more heat retention.
3. Fresher air to breathe and a healthier home to live in.
Quality
1. Factory-built precision with independent audits for each building constructed.
2. Built in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 standards.
3. High quality materials used in the construction of our panels including German precision windows and doors, FSC rated timber and a superior insulation compared to the standard NZ Building Code requirements.
Environmental Impact & Safety
1. Reduced onsite time and time spent at height for builders.
2. 95% plus, reduction of onsite waste.
3. A higher level of build security.
The EMH Panel System
Light timber framed construction is widely understood in New Zealand. The EMH system is consistent with that of NZS3604:2011 and simply utilises prefabricated panels to quickly and efficiently erect buildings on site.
The system incorporates 20 wall, floor, ceiling and roof panels, which can be assembled on site or in your modular factory. These panels form a structurally sound, weathertight system that is airtight and thermally efficient. The EMH system comprises of pre-painted exterior claddings, uPVC double or triple glazed joinery and comes fully insulated. Only high-quality materials are used in the EMH system.
Healthy Living
Our walls come pre-assembled with external doors and windows, fully or partially clad to allow the addition of unique claddings as required.
External walls have battens and intelligent vapour control layers to prevent moisture from penetrating the wall. This ensures there is no condensation formation that can cause timber putrefaction. Internal 45mm battens allow for easy installation of services and possible introduction of an additional layer of insulation.
All external and internal walls come with insulation and Oriented Strand Board (OSB). This provides structural stability and additional soundproofing (no nogs).
Our high-quality German uPVC (Gealan S9000) windows have six chambers and are double-glazed or triple-glazed. This provides outstanding insulation and soundproofing qualities. The windows come with:
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ROTO fittings to fulfil the most stringent demands in terms of security, ease of use, durability and design;
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TECHNOFORM Glass Insulation (TGI) warm edge spacers between the glass panes, to improve the thermal performance of the edge bond and thus guarantees gas tightness at a peak level. This means minimised energy losses, and a visible reduction in condensation and mould, for a healthy internal environment;
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ACRYCOLOUR coating. It is a co-extrusion process that produces scratch-resistant, chip resistant, low maintenance coating that withstand the effects of weather.
Our panels achieve significantly higher R-Ratings than what is required by the NZ Building Code:
- External Wall Panel: 3.10+ (EMH) vs. 2.00 (NZBC)
- Floor Panel: 5.72 (EMH) vs. 1.30 (NZBC)
- Roof Panel: 7.75 (EMH) vs. 3.30 (NZBC)
- Windows / Doors: 0.7-1.2 (EMH) vs. 0.26 (NZBC)
Our airtight system requires a balanced Air Heat Recovery Ventilation system to ensure your home is healthy dry and warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lead time to deliver the first house in a project?
On average it takes around 60 days to ship the panel system for the first house to New Zealand. During this time, the foundations can be laid, in time for the panels to arrive onsite ready for assembly. Subsequent houses will arrive on a weekly basis after the first shipment.
What’s the effect on the environment to ship from Europe?
Shipping a container from Europe produces less carbon emissions than it does to transport a container from Christchurch to Auckland by truck. The container is then delivered and workers commute onsite for one week. When you consider the fuel used for transportation of construction materials and workers to the site for more than three months, the environment is the winner.
How will these comply the New Zealand Building Code?
We use Codemark certification to prove compliance with the New Zealand Building Code. Codemark transfers the responsibility of compliance from the BCA to an accredited third party, which means it becomes an administrative decision rather than a technical one.
What is Codemark?
Codemark is the brand name for the product certification scheme under the Building Act. Codemark is the highest compliance certification for building products and systems. Codemark is an unchallengeable form of product assurance. Building consent authorities (BCAs, usually councils) must accept a product certificate as evidence of compliance with the Building Code
More information can be found here:
https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/product-assurance-and-multiproof/codemark/
Can we work with our own designs?
Yes. Virtually any house design can be built using our bespoke, prefabrication system. This includes single or multi-level designs, attached or standalone homes up to a height of 10m. Our EMH design manual is supplied to your architect prior to the design stage to maximise efficiencies in construction.
What is the quality of prefabricated houses compared to stick-build designs?
The quality of our factory-built houses is generally higher than traditional stick-build designs, because they are built in a controlled manufacturing environment. We use precision machinery to ensure the product delivered is what you ordered. We are not affected by any weather conditions while working in the factory environment and are not reliant on third parties.
Which regions in New Zealand are covered?
We are currently focusing on the Auckland region only. However, if you have a larger size development around the North Island, please get in touch with us.
What size team is needed to erect the building and to what qualification standard?
Generally, only one Licenced Building Practitioner and three labourers are needed to erect the panel systems. We provide full installation drawings and manuals to support your team, and training is provided before working with us.
What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building's ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. It is predominantly used is Germany and Scandinavian countries.
What is the process of working with us?
EMH is a proud member of:
CONTACT US
If you would like to hear more about the system and how can it help your company achieve its long-term goal, contact us on:
Ric: 021 275 5742