Modular homes in Slovakia and the Czech Republic: two markets, two approaches to housing quality

The market for modular and mobile homes has been developing rapidly in recent years in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. At first glance, these may appear to be similar environments – the same region, comparable property prices, and similar construction conditions.

In reality, however, these are two very different markets.

The difference lies not only in the range of companies operating in each market, but above all in customers’ attitudes toward quality, technology, and the long-term value of a building.

The Czech market: more resellers, fewer manufacturers – but higher demands for quality

Today, a large number of modular home sellers operate in the Czech Republic. Many of these companies, however, are not direct manufacturers but intermediaries who purchase buildings from various suppliers and then resell them to end customers.

Despite this, Czech customers are generally far more informed and discerning.

A significant portion of clients deliberately avoid container-based “modular” buildings – yes, modular in quotation marks.Not because they look bad in photos, but because they understand their technical limitations:

• thermal bridges

• weaker insulation

• shorter lifespan

• structural and technological compromises

The Czech Republic has a very strong tradition of timber-frame construction, which today represents a significant share of the market. Steel modular buildings, on the other hand, are rather the exception – especially in technologically advanced designs without thermal bridges.

This is precisely why Czech clients are open to modern systems that combine the strength of steel with well-designed insulation and high energy efficiency.

The Slovak market: containers still dominate, but the situation is changing

Until recently, container-based buildings dominated the Slovak market.They were inexpensive, quickly available, and often presented as “modern modular housing.”

However, reality is gradually catching up with marketing.

More and more people:

• are becoming aware of the issue of thermal bridges

• are experiencing high heating costs

• are dealing with condensation, moisture, and material degradation

It is not uncommon for clients to seek alternatives only after a negative experience with a container-based building.

As they often say – after a “paid lesson from life.”

These customers are no longer looking for the cheapest solution, but for proper housing that is meant to last for decades.

Steel modular homes without thermal bridges – the technological difference that matters

A high-quality modular home today is not only about what it is made of, but above all about how it is structurally designed.

In the case of modern steel modular systems, this primarily involves:

• complete elimination of thermal bridges

• separation of load-bearing elements from the exterior

• carefully designed layering of insulation

An example is the combination of primary insulation with an additional 130 mm unventilated air cavity in both the floor and the ceiling, which functions as an extra insulating layer and significantly improves the building’s thermal performance.

Such solutions are not accidental.They are the result of calculations, testing, and long-term development.

From timber construction to a unique modular system

Few people know that before the current technological system of KODIMA was developed, the company spent many years producing modular timber buildings.

From the very beginning, modular construction was “part of the craft.”

The current steel system, however, did not emerge overnight. It was preceded by:

• years of development

• hundreds of calculations

• extensive testing

• and several unsuccessful prototypes

Until the first fully functional project was created, which could then be further refined.

Today, this original timber construction line continues under a subsidiary company, while KODIMA has undergone a technological “upgrade” and introduced a solution that had previously been virtually nonexistent on the market.

Copying designs vs. technological development

In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that many companies or individuals are attempting to visually imitate KODIMA’s modular buildings.

This is natural – quality attracts attention.

The difference, however, lies in the technology.

The appearance of a house can be copied relatively easily.A construction system without thermal bridges cannot.

Eliminating steel elements that would pass from the exterior into the interior (for example through the floor, columns, or ceiling) is technically demanding and requires a precisely engineered system.

In this type of steel modular construction, there is currently no truly comparable solution available on the market.

This is not a reason for self-promotion. It is a natural result of long-term development.

Western Europe sets the direction

In technologically advanced countries of Western Europe, precisely these well-engineered modular buildings are becoming increasingly sought after.

Customers there focus on:

• energy efficiency

• long-term costs

• construction quality

• building lifespan

Not just the initial price. And this very trend is now gradually reaching both the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Modular homes are no longer a low-cost alternative.They are becoming a modern and technologically advanced housing solution – provided you have the right product.

And this is where it will be decided who becomes the future market leader:those who merely sell buildings, or those who truly develop them and believe in them.