Despite a down housing market, some homes sales are up. Prefabricated homes, which are similar to Sears and Roebucks’ former catalog for home-in-a-box options, are selling well and can be designed to include recycled products, vegetated roofs, sustainable wood, and even a solar panel or two.

These prefabricated eco buildings provide alternative options to the traditional energy and water consuming, virgin product norm.

EcoSteel Building Systems adds their take on prefabricated homes by using 76 percent recycled steel and other products per design needs to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications. EcoSteel adds flexibility not typically found with prefabricated systems by assembling and shipping a “pre-manufactured kit of parts that packs flat and assembles onsite” so that a builder can build to his/her size specifications, according to the company. In fact, EcoSteel specializes in bringing LEED prefabricated building products to remote locations across the country so that even our far away places can be eco-friendly. 

Another manufacturer, Epoch Homes, is also providing prefabricated eco building options. Epoch Homes specializes in small office, weekend homes, and first homes or bachelor/bachelorette digs. Their “powerpod” provides 500 square feet of green living space including a recycled water component. 

As the trend for eco efficient spaces continues to grow, manufacturers could also see enough of a rise in demand to support more green-focused jobs.