With the cost of housing on the rise, there has been some worry that the average American won’t be able to find affordable housing. The cost of rent is sky high, making many people consider becoming a homeowner instead. There is help, even some unconventional ways, for people that think they cannot afford homeownership.
3D Printed Homes
Alquist 3D, ICON, and other 3D printing companies are working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to help with the affordable housing crisis. New construction homes are more expensive than ever due to the increase in the cost of materials. Homes that are made using the 3D printer instead of wood or related material are much more affordable. A home constructed with a 3D printer could cost around 15 percent less due to the money saved on building expenses.
Benefits of 3D Homes
There are many benefits to using a 3D printer to make a home. The use of the printer will decrease the time it takes to construct the home. The printer does not need supervision most of the time which will reduce the chance of someone getting hurt on a construction site. Around 40 percent of the homes can be finished
within months. The same home with traditional construction will take around a year to reach that point.
Future of Building
It is projected that 3D printers will be the future of the building world. The printers are more efficient. Lumber shortage has been a big problem recently and the 3D printer gets around this issue. The printers use cement to make the homes. Cement will stand up better to certain elements and will keep mold from forming. It will not attract termites and will keep the moisture out.
Challenges of 3D Homes
There are some challenges associated with 3D printers. Weather conditions need to be dry and warm for the material to be set. If the weather is not ideal then the project needs to stop. Another challenge is many builders do not have the education or the training for 3D printing. There are some only that have taken courses in this and there is not the availability of people trained to use the printers properly.
Providing Other Options
It is expensive to become a homeowner. 3D homes are an affordable option for those that cannot afford a traditional home. If people have affordable housing this greatly reduces the chance they have of becoming homeless.
Many say that 3D printing is the future of the construction field and it’s easy to see why. These homes are more affordable and as more people get trained to use the 3D printer there should be an increase of 3D printed homes available on the market.
