Since its inception, Maisons Laprise has made it a mission to make energy-saving prefabricated homes more accessible. The company believes that Quebecers should have access to the best construction techniques available to optimize the energy performance of their homes. For Maisons Laprise, choosing a high performance new home to reduce the energy consumption of its habitat should not be a luxury but part of its purchasing process.
Walls designed with the best insulation techniques
In the Laprise panelized construction system all walls in a home are designed, manufactured and factory tested before being sent to the construction site. This feature allows for better control over raw materials (quality control of lumber) and factory assembly of solid, straight and square walls (which make a significant difference when the time comes to take measurements for kitchen & bathroom cabinets, built-in furniture and the installation of impeccable moldings & trims and ensure that the factory insulation is optimal.
With more than 30 years of experience in the construction of prefabricated homes in the province, Maisons Laprise has developed a unique and efficient technique for the design of its walls. To obtain the best possible energy performance, Maisons Laprise applies exclusively the following construction principles:
- Anti-thermal bridge: to eliminate air and moisture infiltration, Laprise walls are uniquely designed and feature a patented Z-column system, 5 ½ inch thick insulation and high performance sealants to maximize the insulation and waterproofing of the house.
- Anti-sagging: to increase insulation power, ensure long-term thermal performance and ensure that wall insulation does not sag during transportation, from home to destination, Maisons Laprise uses high performance rigid insulation.
- Anti-torsion: The Z-column system is made using premium FSC seasoned wood combined with continuous plywood bracing on the exterior walls of the structure to increase the insulating properties of the walls and to provide excellent structural stability.
- Anti-mold: Maisons Laprise uses expanded polystyrene to insulate its prefabricated kit homes. This rigid insulation is composed of 98% air and it is an excellent insulator. The colder it is, the more its insulating potential performs. In addition, it does not retain moisture and is resistant to parasites and micro-organisms.
Prefabricated houses designed to optimize energy performance
In addition to manufacturing high energy efficiency wall panels controlled in factories, Maisons Laprise constructions include all of the best techniques and site quality control to optimize energy performance.
First of all, the on-site assembly of the various structural components of the house is done in such a way as to maximize the house's airtightness, eliminate drafts and moisture infiltration. It is important to mention that all the prefabricated houses of the Quebec company include a high performance air exchanger system to ensure mechanical ventilation, healthy ambient air quality and constant air circulation inside the home and to extract the humidity generated by cooking, showers and the occupants of the house. Finally, to increase the energy efficiency of a home, Maisons Laprise includes Energy Star® certified windows and doors that contribute to the performance of the home.
Optimal management of construction materials
Although this characteristic has no influence on the energy performance of a house, factory manufacturing allows for a better management of the different building materials. Indeed, Maisons Laprise is able to minimize wastage thanks to prefabrication and technology that optimally rationalizes production processes and the use of materials. These generate less than 2% of building material wastage and the company reuses everything possible. With a complete supply concept, the Laprise kit helps consolidate the delivery of prefabricated structural components, doors and windows and finishes included in the kit and minimize unnecessary travel and back and forth to hardware stores during construction. In addition, Maisons Laprise favors the use of local materials to reduce the environmental impacts of long-distance transport. The company is also trying to do business with local contractors for the assembly, subcontracting and finishing of its homes.
