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Panelised (flat-pack) homes
| Also known as | 2D prefab, flat-pack, non-volumetric[1] |
|---|---|
| Delivered as | Flat panels, assembled on site[1][2] |
| Panel types | Open (uninsulated) or closed (insulated, pre-finished)[1][3] |
| *Terminology follows prefabAUS; individual suppliers vary. | |
A panelised home is a prefabricated house whose walls, floors and roof arrive as flat sections — panels — that are assembled on site, rather than as complete three-dimensional room modules. Industry bodies call this 2D prefab, or non-volumetric construction, to set it apart from the volumetric modular homes covered elsewhere on this site.[1]
Panelised, modular and kit: where the term sits §
prefabAUS, the national industry association, groups off-site construction into a few families. Volumetric modular systems are three-dimensional units combined on site. Panels, or non-volumetric systems, arrive ready for assembly and may form the building envelope, load-bearing walls or lighter partitions. Components — often called a "kit of parts" — are pre-cut or pre-shaped elements that are assembled or installed on site.[1] The independent consumer magazine Renew draws the same 3D-versus-2D line: a modular home arrives largely complete, while a panelised system arrives flat-packed as walls, floors and other flat components that are positioned on site.[2]
Panelised sits in the middle of that spectrum: more factory-finished than a bare kit of parts, but less complete on delivery than a volumetric module.
Open and closed panels §
prefabAUS notes that panelised systems can be open or closed.[1] Industry reporting describes what that range means in practice: at one end, basic, uninsulated frameworks that leave a good deal of work to be finished on site; at the other, advanced closed panels that arrive insulated and pre-finished, with windows, doors and integrated electrical and plumbing services already fitted.[3] The more a panel is completed in the factory, the less trade work remains once it reaches the site — which is one of the questions worth putting to any panelised supplier.
How it differs from volumetric modular §
Renew identifies speed as the main advantage of volumetric modular: modules are designed to join quickly, reaching lock-up fast and improving site security while the build is underway.[2] Panelised construction trades some of that on-delivery completeness for two practical benefits Renew and industry sources highlight — flat panels are easier to transport than whole modules, and the method offers design flexibility and reduced on-site waste.[2][3]
Which of these matters more depends on the site and the design, not on one method being universally "better".
What this means if you are comparing options §
If you are weighing a panelised home, it is worth asking a supplier whether their panels are open or closed, because that determines how much trade work you (or your builder) still have to arrange once the panels arrive. It is also worth confirming exactly what the panel package includes and where factory work stops and site work begins.
How much a panelised home costs relative to a modular or a conventionally built home is not covered by the sources compiled here; costs vary by supplier, material and site, and this guide does not publish figures it cannot attribute to a reliable independent source.
References §
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References §
- prefabAUS — National prefab industry association; defines volumetric modular, panelised and component/"kit of parts" systems. prefabaus.org.au/what-is-prefab
- Renew — Independent not-for-profit consumer magazine; buyers guide distinguishing 3D/volumetric from 2D/panelised and kit-of-parts construction. renew.org.au/renew-magazine/buyers-guides/modular-synthesis-a-prefab-buyers-guide/
- Built Offsite — Industry publication; describes panels ranging from basic uninsulated frameworks to insulated, pre-finished closed systems with integrated services. builtoffsite.com.au/news/is-australia-heading-towards-a-panelised-or-volumetric-building-future/
Figures are as published by the sources above at their respective dates and are paraphrased summaries, not verbatim reproductions. Verify current pricing and rules directly with builders, lenders and planning authorities.