Methods explained
Panelized vs. Volumetric Modular vs. Site Framing: What's the Difference?
Site framing builds the structure piece by piece on site. Panelized construction builds wall, floor, and roof panels in a factory and assembles them on site. Volumetric modular builds complete three-dimensional room modules in the factory and sets them on the foundation. Panelized and volumetric both move work off the jobsite into a controlled factory, which speeds delivery and improves consistency, most of all when the design repeats.
TESH Group6 min read
The same light gauge steel can be built three different ways, and the right choice depends on the project. Here is what each method means in plain terms.
Site framing
The structure is built piece by piece in place on the jobsite, the traditional approach. It is flexible for one-off, irregular buildings, but it is exposed to weather, depends on a large field crew, and is the slowest of the three for repetitive work.
Panelized construction
Wall, floor, and roof panels are fabricated in a factory, shipped flat, and assembled (erected) on site. The framing is built in a controlled environment in parallel with site work, then a small crew sets the panels quickly. It balances factory speed and consistency with the flexibility to fit many designs.
Volumetric modular
Complete three-dimensional modules, whole rooms or sections of a building, often with finishes, plumbing, and fixtures already installed, are built in the factory, trucked to site, and craned onto the foundation or podium. It moves the most work off site, so on-site time is shortest, and it suits highly repetitive housing like affordable, hotel, and senior projects.
How they compare
| Method | Where it's built | What ships to site | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site framing | On site | Loose material | One-off, irregular buildings |
| Panelized | Factory + site | Flat panels | Most building types; balance of speed and flexibility |
| Volumetric modular | Mostly factory | Finished 3D modules | Highly repetitive housing; shortest on-site time |
Which one is right for a project?
The more a design repeats, the more prefabrication pays off, and the further along the spectrum toward volumetric it makes sense to go. Our owned factory produces both panels and complete modules from the same light gauge steel, so the method can be matched to the building rather than the other way around.
Frequently asked questions
- What is panelized construction?
- Panelized construction builds wall, floor, and roof panels in a factory, ships them flat, and assembles them on site. It moves framing into a controlled environment for speed and consistency while remaining flexible across building types.
- What is volumetric modular construction?
- Volumetric modular builds complete three-dimensional building modules in a factory, often with finishes and systems installed, then trucks them to site and sets them on the foundation. It minimizes on-site time and suits highly repetitive housing.
- Is modular or panelized cheaper than site framing?
- It depends on the building. For repetitive designs, panelized and volumetric construction typically reduce total delivered cost through faster schedules, smaller field crews, and less waste, even when material costs are similar. For a single, irregular structure, site framing can still be the simplest choice.
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