The prefab saw its inception during the latter part of the 2nd World War when Winston Churchill announced the 'Temporary Housing Programme'.
Its aim was to provide large numbers of houses quickly and economically once hostilities had ceased. The housing would be used by families whose homes had been destroyed by enemy bombing, and key workers who would be needed to help the country recover after the war.
The original aim was to build half a million emergency houses. This was to be achieved by mass-producing the houses in prefabricated sections in the factories that had once made aircraft and armaments.
There were four basic types of prefab, some made of steel or asbestos, and others made of timber or aluminium. It was claimed that, at one stage, the aluminium bungalows were being produced at the rate of one every twelve minutes.
Production of prefabs started in 1946 and by the time the programme was ended three years later, 156,623 had been built. Of these, the aluminium version was the most popular/numerous type built.
The prefabs' design was a triumph of space planning. Each dwelling contained two bedrooms, a living room, entrance hallway, fitted kitchen, with hot and cold running water, cooker (gas or electric) and built-in refrigerator, and a fitted bathroom with a heated towel rail.
In addition, some 315,000 permanent pre-fabricated houses were built. These were generally 2-storeyed and were mainly built of steel or concrete. The houses in Aberdulais Road follow this model. There were also timber versions and an improved aluminium bungalow.
An estate of prefabricated dwellings was built by Cardiff City Council at Gabalfa in 1947. In 1998, one of these (an aluminium Type B2 bungalow) was donated to the Museum of Welsh Life - probably the last surviving aluminium bungalow left in the country.
your comments
Francis O'Reilly from London
I spent my youth in a steel house in Dallam, Warrington. The whole estate has now been pulled down but they were very comfortable and advanced for the time with central heating. I have put a 1970s photos of these Warrington steel houses on the Warrington Guardian archive web site.
Roy from Hainault, Essex
I have lived in a BSIF house for thirty-nine years and would now find it hard to move. I miss the flickering, colourful flames from the original coal fire which got replaced for the convenience of gas. But, I don't miss clearing out the ash pan and bringing in coal from the outside shed in Winter. I had a friend who moved to brick built accommodation and forked out thousands to get rid of dry rot in that house, he definitely regretted moving from his BSIF house, which shows that you can never guarantee if a house is going to be problem free whatever it is built from. I am content to live in my "Steel House" and hope to do so for many years to come.
James Hitchin, Liverpool
I've lived in my BISF house for ten years, and it's been great. I bought it cos it was cheaper than a traditonal house. It has been easy to repair and update. Just changing the plasterboards to the three elevations ie front, rear, and gable using plasterboards with insulation on the back will make it much warmer in the winter. Overboarding the the other internal walls with standard plasterboards will make it possible to fit architrave to all internal doorways, and get rid of the fanlights above them. The last owner had a nice front porch built but it had a flat roof on it. I had a joiner's shop make me some apex roof trusses so that I could put a proper roof on it with tiles. It looks good. The gardens are very big and the drive will hold at least 5 cars. I built a large detached garage at the end of the drive in the back garden and the garden is still big. These houses are not hard to work on like a lot of people say. I would have paid more in rent over the last 10 years had I not bought this house.
Keith Rider from Molesey
We have lived in our BISF type A1 house for 14 years, and it's fine. Had slight trouble getting a mortgage and insurance, but no problems otherwise. Does not seem any noiser than our old Victorian terrace house. I believe the construction is better than the traditional type of house,andnoise is not a problem. I cannot understand why they are not still building these houses. They are sturdy, fast to build, and last well. Some people say they are made of steel, they are only temporary buildings, and will rust away. The Eiffel Tower was only built as a temporary structure!
Lynda from Plymouth
I am thinking of buying a steel house as we know it, it is like the one in the picture - I know that they have had some bad press and wondered if anyone could give me any information regarding these. It is in a lovely location and the gardens are extensive which is why I am keen but don't want to end up with a property that is going to cause me problems!!!
C & L Lewis
We have lived in our 2 storey BSIF house for 12 years. We are very happy we have had no problems with noise. The upper level is made of steel I believe. It's great to be able to open plan your ground floor to your choice, its seems to be warmer in winter with no central heating installed. The rooms are so spacious compared with the newer houses on the market.
Sarah Banks, Windsor
We're in the process of buying a BSIF house in Windsor. It is a two story house of the kind shown in the photo in this article. We have been unable so far to find out exactly what the construction is... Could anyone help confirm whether the 1st storey is concrete and just the top half steel? How noisy are these things? (Saw the comment alluding to hearing the neighbours well!!) Thanks for any help...
Peter Green, Pinetown, South Africa
I lived in Llandinum Cresent in one of the single story bungalows and remember the flood of the 60's on a Sunday looking out the window at the rats climbing on the fence wire. Then being piggy backed around to the Chapel's house in Llanmorias Road till the water subsided. There were similar bungalows in Boncath Road off Gabalfa Avenue.
Stan Wilkes
I also live in a BSIF house. There used to be a coal fire in the front room. It had a hot water boiler at the back which supplied three radiators, one in the back room and one in each of the two large bedrooms. The heating was changed by the council as it was a fire hazard. The roof of asbestos was changed about the same time to steel sheets, but I notice these are starting to show signs of rust. The latest from the council is they are starting to renovate the exteriors - starting on the houses in Gabalfa. Hope this gives you a bit of info Mike.
Mike S-P from Canley, Coventry
I've lived in my steel house for 5 years now, and have recently had it modified with new roof, heating and cladding. I'm very fortunate to live on the outskirts of the city, and have always wondered what life would have be like when the house was new. I believe they had coal ranges in the kitchen, and a stove in the family room. I'm anxious to find a copy of the original layout, how the gardens were kept, how many family members would live in each house. I find living in a steel house very pleasant - you certanly get to know your neigbours!
