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A Lustron Houseare prefabricated enameled steel houses developed in the post-World War II era United States in response to the shortage of houses for returning GIs(U.S Armed force equipments). The low maintenance enamel finish was expected to attract modern families who might not have the time or interest in repairing and painting conventional wood and plaster houses.
The newly formed Lustron Corporation in January 1947 announced that it had received a $12.5-million Reconstruction Finance Corporation loan to make mass-produced prefabricated homes that featured enamel-coated steel panels. Led by Chicago industrialist and inventor Carl Strandlund, who had worked with constructing prefabricated gas stations, Lustron offered a home that would "defy weather, wear, and time."
Strandlund's Lustron Corporation planned to construct 15,000 homes in 1947 and 30,000 in 1948. From its plant in Columbus, Ohio (the former Curtiss-Wright factory), the corporation eventually constructed around 3,000 Lustron homes between 1948 and 1950. The houses sold for between $8,500 and $9,500, according to a March 1949 article in the Columbus Dispatch. By November 1949, a Lustron's average selling price had raised up to $10,500.
Most of the Lustron houses were produced in 36 of the United States including Alaska. Some were constructed in Venezuela, South America for families of oil industry employees.
The most popular of the Lustron homes had the two bedrooms, constructed in 1,085 square feet. They were commonly known as "Westchester Deluxe" model. In total, there were three types of Lustrons: the Westchester, Newport, and Meadowbrook. With the omission of the Esquire each Lustron type was available as either a two- or three-bedroom model.
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