Modular housing refers to structures built using a process where a building is constructed off-site, under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials and designed to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities – but in about half the time. SKYhouse takes modular construction to the next level by utilizing proprietary building technology and high-grade steel (Steel Modular) in combination with other long-lasting materials not typically found in traditional modular construction.

A building constructed using factory-built modular building process methods will last as long as (if not longer than) a traditional site-built structure. The building is constructed to the same codes and must meet the same wind, snow, and seismic conditions. SKYhouse factory-built steel modular housing, constructed without traditional materials like wood 2x4s or drywall, typically lasts longer than conventional homes due to the inherent durability and resilience of steel. Unlike wood, steel is not susceptible to rot, mold, or insect infestation, which are major factors in the deterioration of traditional wood-framed structures. Modular construction also takes place in controlled factory environments, reducing exposure to moisture and minimizing construction defects. Precision engineering ensures tighter joints and more robust structural integrity, resulting in buildings that maintain their performance and soundness over decades with minimal maintenance.

In terms of fire safety, steel modular housing offers significant advantages over traditional construction. Steel is non-combustible and can withstand high temperatures without igniting, unlike wood framing and drywall, which can quickly fuel a fire and release toxic fumes. In a fire event, steel maintains its shape longer than wood, providing critical time for occupants to evacuate and for first responders to act. These properties make steel modular homes a safer and more reliable option in fire-prone regions, contributing to enhanced occupant safety and potentially lower insurance costs.

Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, FEMA commissioned a study titled “Building Performance: Hurricane Andrew in Florida” comparing site-built, modular, and manufactured housing. The report found: “Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in wood-framed modular housing developments. The module-to-module combination of the units has provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing.”

Structural and material shortcomings often plague mobile homes. They're typically built with cost-cutting in mind, using lower-grade materials and minimal insulation, which can result in issues like leaks, poor energy efficiency, and rapid wear and tear. Many are not designed for repeated transportation—despite being labeled “mobile,” they may only survive a single move without significant damage.

Another major drawback is depreciation. Unlike traditional real estate, mobile homes—especially those not affixed to land—lose value quickly, much like a car. This makes them a poor long-term investment, with limited resale potential and diminishing returns over time.

SKYhouse modular housing is VERY distinct from mobile homes. SKYhouse modular homes are designed to the highest factory-built quality specification and all through relocable many times, are constructed as permanent residences (except in cases of temporary disaster response). Also SKYhouse’s are built to withstand very high wind, fire, and hurricane-strength conditions, meeting or exceeding local, state, and regional building codes, just like traditional site-built homes. They are crafted in sections (modules) in a controlled factory environment, transported to the home site, and assembled on a permanent foundation (unless for temporary disaster response), ensuring exceptional durability and compliance with rigorous standards. In contrast, mobile homes are often considered depreciating assets, subject to less stringent construction standards, and typically not built to the same level of resilience or permanence as SKYhouse modular homes. This makes SKYhouse homes a long-lasting, high-value investment compared to mobile homes, which may lose value over time.

No, SKYhouse housing is not the same as container homes. Shipping containers have been banned from use in most states due to cancer-causing chemicals in the manufacturing, and especially when shipping goods with cancer-causing insecticides sprayed every time they ship goods. This is true even on so-called “One Trippers”. It’s not just about what was transported in shipping containers that is hazardous, but the actual container is considered hazardous materials, like asbestos.

More information:

Many view shipping containers as a cost-effective and sustainable housing option, assuming that if they haven't transported hazardous chemicals, they're safe to repurpose. However, this perspective overlooks critical health risks associated with their construction and previous use. Shipping containers are often treated with toxic chemicals to prevent corrosion and infestations during international transport. These treatments can include hazardous insecticides and paints that are difficult to remove and can pose serious health risks when disturbed. Modifying these containers—such as cutting windows or doors—can release harmful dust and fumes, making the process as dangerous as handling asbestos. In fact, some jurisdictions have recognized the health hazards of shipping container homes, leading to class-action lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny.en.wikipedia.org+2seaboxinnovations.com+2loomcraftsprefab.com+2

Common Misconceptions About Shipping Container Homes

• "If it didn’t carry hazardous cargo, it’s safe."

  • Even unused containers are often treated with toxic insecticides and paints to prevent corrosion and infestations during international transport.

• "Cutting a window or door is a simple modification."

  • Cutting into a container can release harmful dust and fumes, making the process as dangerous as handling asbestos.

• "The wood floors are safe to use."

  • Container floors are typically made of plywood treated with toxic chemicals like copper, chromium, and arsenic to prevent infestations. en.wikipedia.org+1loomcraftsprefab.com+1

• "Containers are structurally sound for habitation."

  • Modifying containers can compromise their structural integrity, requiring additional reinforcement to ensure safety. ecoabode.com.au

• "Decontamination is straightforward."

  • Attempts to decontaminate containers have often been unsuccessful, even with methods like ozone treatment and chlorine scrubbing. eiwellspring.org

Health Risks and Legal Concerns

• Toxic Chemical Exposure:

  • Disturbing treated surfaces during modifications can release harmful chemicals into the air, posing serious health risks. aspaxconstruction.com

• Legal Actions:

  • Some jurisdictions have recognized the health hazards of shipping container homes, leading to class-action lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny. en.wikipedia.org

No. SKYhouse builds a range of structures, including traditional homes, emergency shelters, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), tiny homes, hotels, mixed-use hospitality, villas, camps, employee housing, and affordable residential communities.

SKYhouse incorporates advanced clean technology to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact. Our homes utilize eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, including high-grade insulation and airtight construction to minimize energy loss. We use sustainable steel modular construction, which reduce waste and allows for precise, high-quality building in a controlled factory environment. Additionally, SKYHouse homes are designed to withstand extreme conditions, such as high winds, fire, and hurricanes, ensuring long-term durability and resilience. By integrating these clean tech solutions, SKYHouse delivers energy-efficient, sustainable housing that supports a greener future.

SKYhouse structures can be fully grid-independent, integrating clean technologies for power generation and water recycling. Our modular units are designed to achieve complete off-grid independence as needed, featuring:

• Hyper-affordable solar power generation with battery storage

• Atmospheric water generation (AWG) to extract water from the air

• Rainwater catchment and filtration

• Greywater shower recycling

• Blackwater-to-agriculture systems that convert waste into nutrient-rich irrigation for crops

• Indoor air quality innovations

• More innovations coming soon

As a modular housing innovator, SKYhouse builds units that generate their own water and power while converting blackwater into agricultural input. You’re not just offering a new product — you’re pioneering a transformative shift in how housing functions within urban and rural ecosystems. This approach tackles critical infrastructure, environmental, and economic challenges faced by cities and developers today.

Why This Is a Game Changer

For Developers and Cities:

• Drastically Reduced Infrastructure Costs: Self-sufficient units eliminate or greatly reduce expensive utility hookups (sewer, water, power), enabling rapid deployment in remote, underserved, or high-demand areas without lengthy permitting or infrastructure investment.

• Scalable Urban Planning: Cities can quickly address housing shortages or disaster recovery needs with off-grid units, bypassing traditional construction and utility expansion bottlenecks.

• Climate-Resilient Development: Units producing their own water and energy offer resilience against grid failures, water shortages, or climate-driven disasters — making communities more secure and reducing long-term public service burdens.

• Sustainability Compliance & Incentives: These units help developers meet or exceed green building codes and qualify for sustainability grants, tax credits, and expedited zoning approvals.

For End Consumers:

• Zero Utility Bills: Producing power and water onsite eliminates monthly bills, providing real savings and protection from rising utility costs.

• True Off-Grid Freedom: Residents can live comfortably in remote areas or movable structures without sacrificing quality of life, thanks to integrated renewable energy and water systems.

• Eco-Lifestyle Integration: Turning blackwater into usable agricultural input fosters closed-loop living, empowering people to grow food, minimize waste, and reduce environmental impact effortlessly.

• Health & Water Security: On-site water generation and purification give families greater control over drinking water safety and quality — crucial in areas with aging infrastructure or contamination risks.

Key Features with Massive Impact:

• On-site water generation from air moisture or rain catchment, reducing strain on local water systems

• Solar-powered or hybrid energy systems providing autonomy and reliability during outages

• Blackwater-to-agriculture conversion, turning waste into value, enabling urban farming, and reducing sewage management needs

Strategic Impact:

This model perfectly aligns with the growing demand for net-zero housing, smart cities, and climate-resilient infrastructure. SKYhouse is not just housing — it’s a decentralized, regenerative utility system wrapped in a home.

Yes. SKYhouse offers solar-driven, passive, battery backup for any budget. It allows for completely off-grid power.

Our structures meet and/or exceed current energy codes and can continuously improve for better energy code compliance.

R20-R45 depending on application.

Our average insulation value is equivalent to 35-inch cement.

Our product works with all standard concrete foundation types: slab, footing, perimeter foundation, to cinder. Additionally, in keeping with our commitment to innovation, the SKYhouse team was one of the first companies in the U.S. to deploy a prefabricated foundation system and receive STET Compliance.

Our structures will meet and/ or exceed current energy codes and can receive NET-Negative Carbon and LEED certification. Our product can continuously improve for better energy code compliance via ongoing product design control.

(more information available in other FAQ’s)

SKYhouse offers some degree of customization. For multi-unit projects such as those for developers or hotels, we are excellent creative partners capable of bringing nearly any imaginative idea to life. For single-unit or one-off buyers, we suggest thinking of our approach similarly to ordering a car—you can customize colors and certain options, but you cannot change fundamental elements like the wheelbase or engine location.

Here are some general guidelines:

• We ask that you work within our existing set of floor plans whenever possible, especially for modest budgets.

• Once you select a plan that suits your needs, we can discuss potential modifications. We will provide a detailed fit-out sheet outlining the standard options available for your home.

• Most customizations typically involve finishes, flooring, fixtures, windows and doors, and appliances.

• Kitchen and bathroom locations and layouts cannot be changed in terms of their placement.

SKYhouse Is the Future of Sustainable, Scalable, Resilient, and Affordable Construction.

SKYhouse stands at the forefront of a construction revolution—combining world-class U.S. engineering and advanced materials science with the scalability, cost efficiency, and logistical power of scale not found in other manufacturers. Our system is not just another prefab model; it’s a platform built from the ground up to address the core crises of modern construction: cost, climate resilience, sustainability, and speed.

Versatile Flow Of Need

We can ebb and flow to the required needs and conditions in each market. We can finish the unit at or near our main facilities in the case that onsite labor is limited or non-existent. We can also deliver in Kit form and do job training as we did in a historic project for the Bay Area and California during the pandemic. We can ship units fully finished, as we did to St Croix, Virgin Islands. We can seamlessly deliver either percentage of completion as the needs require, rapidly.

Next-Gen Materials. No Wood. No Rot. No Fire Risk.

While traditional builders still rely on outdated, flammable, or decay-prone materials like wood, SKYhouse uses proprietary, advanced materials engineered for strength, durability, and long-term sustainability. Our systems are designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and are among the most fire-resilient on the market, making them a safer, longer-lasting investment for developers and communities alike.

Integrated Next Level Clean Technology Infrastructure

SKYhouse isn't just a building—we created complete 360 sustainable infrastructure system for the first time in the Western Hemisphere:

• Atmospheric water generation

• Blackwater to green-water agricultural reuse (First in USA)

• Shower water recycling

• Affordable off-grid power with 4 patents

• Smart home tie-in systems built for off-grid or hybrid infrastructure

We were among the first in California to gain approval for a prefabricated foundation system, a landmark regulatory achievement that underscores our commitment not just to build better, but to build smarter.

It depends on whether the building is a single- or two-story structure. Our single-story structures have a standard ceiling height of 8 feet to 9.5 feet. In some cases, we can go to 10’5” in custom projects.

No. SKYhouse can provide the architectural support necessary to get your project permitted and approved by the local jurisdiction having authority. Conversely, if you already have an Architect, our team is happy to join up to create the best results.

SKYhouse offers eight standard configurations. Custom configurations are available for larger projects. Projects with higher quantities, such as those for developers and hotels, provide significantly more options and custom solutions.

SKYhouse housing currently supports two stories, with engineering and design plans underway for a third stack shortly.