Prebuilt Homes

What are the differences between a Modular & Manufactured home?

There seems to be some confusion about the differences between a modular home and a manufactured home. Modular homes are not manufactured homes or mobile homes. Manufactured homes are built according to the federal building Code, (HUD). This requires all manufactured homes to have a non-removable steel chassis, which severely limits their design options.

Manufactured homes generally come in single units or two-section units. In certain parts of the country you can also find three and four-section units. A manufactured home can be placed on a basement. In general, manufactured homes are single-story homes that are placed on a blocking system that supports the steel I-beams under each section.

Today’s manufactured homes come with many of the same features typically found in a standard stick-built home: living and dining rooms with vaulted ceilings, skylights, fireplaces, modern kitchens and premium appliances, large bedrooms with walk-in closets, bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, ceramic tile, hardwood floors and more! The options are almost limitless! The manufactured housing industry boasts they are the most affordable option when it comes to housing.

Are Modular homes environmentally friendly?

The days are long gone when just calling yourself a modular home or prefab company is considered environmentally progressive. Modular homes are now being made from materials like reused shipping containers, recycled steel, recycled plastic and certified sustainably-harvested wood. The new challenge for the modular housing industry is balancing the economics of innovative sustainable design with the realities of construction costs.

The majority of modular home companies in the United States are ENERGY STAR® ready. That means when a home leaves a factory, it is an ENERGY STAR® certified home. These homes must meet the guidelines for energy efficiency set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; that is, they must be at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

Going green can increase your home’s value and give you an edge when you’re ready to sell. Another big advantage is energy savings, which can save a homeowner thousands in only a few short years in heating or cooling costs. Green modular homes can be more durable through the use of recycled construction materials. You’ll improve the quality of the air you breathe which, studies show, can make you more productive. Less formaldehyde is always good. A green home’s construction creates less material waste and a green home helps preserve its surroundings because it is built with the land, not against it.