Prefab wall systems - also called wall panels, panelized framing, or off-site framing - are wall assemblies built in a controlled factory environment and delivered to the construction site ready to crane or lift into place. They replace the traditional process of measuring, cutting, and assembling walls piece by piece on site.
Types of Prefab Wall Systems
| Panel Type | What It Is | Best For | Insulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open panel (stick) | Pre-framed walls, no sheathing | Standard residential builds | Filled on site (batt or spray) |
| Closed panel | Pre-framed + sheathed + insulated | High-performance builds | Factory-installed (batt or spray) |
| SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) | Foam core bonded between OSB skins | Passive house, Step Code builds | Continuous foam, no thermal bridging |
| Mass timber panel (CLT) | Cross-laminated solid timber | Commercial, multi-family, premium custom | Separate exterior insulation layer |
How Prefab Panels Are Made
- 1Structural drawings from your architect or designer are converted to panel fabrication files.
- 2A fabrication facility cuts lumber to precise dimensions using automated saws.
- 3Wall framing is assembled on a flat table - studs, plates, headers, and blocking all positioned to the drawing.
- 4Sheathing and sometimes insulation are applied and fastened to exact specification.
- 5Panels are numbered, stacked, and loaded onto flatbed trucks in installation sequence.
- 6Panels arrive on site ready to stand - typically installed in a day or two for a single-family home.
BC Energy Step Code and Prefab Panels
BC's Energy Step Code requires progressively better building envelope performance on new construction, with Step 5 (net-zero ready) as the end goal. Prefab closed panels and SIPs are well-suited to Step Code compliance because they can be engineered with precise, consistent insulation levels and airtight assembly details that are very difficult to achieve reliably with site framing.
What to Ask Your Builder About Prefab Panels
- ✓Which fabricator supplies your panels, and what is their quality certification?
- ✓Are panels delivered in installation sequence or does the crew need to sort on site?
- ✓Who is responsible for the engineering drawings used for fabrication?
- ✓What happens if a panel is fabricated incorrectly - what is the correction process?
- ✓Is the framing crew trained and experienced with panel installation?
Questions about using prefab wall systems on your Victoria BC project? We can walk you through the options.
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