With all the terminology surrounding the prefabricated homes industry it can get a bit confusing for the layman. Terms are often interchangeable and, to make matters worse, they can vary depending on the region and country.
Section of a Manufactured Home (Double Wide Trailer)
The strict definition for manufactured home in the United States is a factory built home that is built to the HUD Title 6 construction standard or the “HUD Code”. The HUD Code was implemented on June 15, 1976. The US built HUD Code standard manufactured home will include a HUD Certification Label or HUD Label found at the tail end of each transportable section. The manufactured home will also have a Data Plate somewhere inside the unit. Previous to the HUD Code a manufactured home in the US was referred to as a mobile home or a trailer.
Manufactured homes are built on a permanent chassis to make them transportable. Transporting them is done differently than other prefab homes. Manufactured homes are delivered by towing them on their own axles like a trailer would be. The chassis is typically outfitted with five or more axles depending on the size of the section. Upon reaching their final location the axles and towing tongue are removed from the house before it is placed on its foundation.
Outside of the industry and strict definitions the term manufactured home can often be heard and used interchangeably with “factory built home”, “prebuilt home” and “prefabricated home” or “prefab home”. Yet again, depending on the location some of these terms can have different meanings. What may make it easier to remember is that in their strict definitions manufactured and modular home along with panelized and precut homes are all types of factory built homes. Or to play it safe call all of them factory built homes or prefab homes and you’ll have your bases covered.
Posted in Factory Built Homes, Manufactured Homes, Prefab Homes.
Tagged with factory built home, HUD code, manufactured home, mobile home, prebuilt home, prefab home.
By Home Manufactured
– August 25, 2010
Factory Built Home Facility
Factory built homes or prefab homes have potential benefits that far surpass site built homes. Following is a short summary of some of these benefits.
Build Time – One of the benefits of a factory built home is a quicker turn around time. Like any factory built product the assembly line has been designed and refined to improve build times. Beyond the efficiency of an assembly line there is also the controlled working environment. Weather is almost a non-issue and less likely to slow down the process. Further, the workspace is cleaner and easier to keep free of product and debris.
Cost – For any manufacturer costs are a major consideration. The factory setting allows for optimization of product procurement which saves on purchasing and delivery costs. The factory setting also allows for stocking of materials to prevent time delays. Production is pre-planned and more efficient which lowers production hours and saves on material waste. Labor can be more affordable and the work can be done faster due to practice. In the long run a quality factory direct home can be cheaper to maintain, heat and cool.
Environmental – With a factory home there is potential to build and maintain the home in a more environmentally friendly or green way. There are numerous factors which can have small to large effects on the environment. Some of these factors include less wood and product waste, a central location for workers to get to (car pooling, public transit) and less transportation of materials. Prefabricated homes are typically more green as well. Factory build homes can be more environmentally friendly due to improved energy efficiency.
Build Quality – A great benefit of prebuilt homes is their build quality. Modular homes for example have a strict building code that needs to be adhered to. Build quality is much easier to monitor and fix while on the assembly line. A controlled environment prevents serious weather based problems from occurring. In other words, it can mean less chance of mold, leaks, squeaks and drafts.
Accountability – One of the biggest benefits of a factory built home is accountability. Many factory homes are warrantied and you know where the builder is. Once a site built home is complete it can be tough to track down contractors. It’s a lot more difficult for a factory to pack up and walk away.
As with anything else you need to do your due diligence as a buyer. Check into the builder and ensure they are taking advantage of the factory setting. Have they produced good work in the past? Will they back up their work? Do your research before you make your choice.
Posted in Factory Built Homes.
Tagged with factory built home, prebuilt home, prefab home, prefabricated home.
By Home Manufactured
– July 17, 2010
Let us look at some of the reasons that modular house quality is surpassing conventional building quality. While there are many factors to consider, they can be generally divided into three categories: people, place and process or who, where and how.
Who builds modular homes? The employees of modular home companies build modular homes. This means that each house is built by a team with each person specializing in a single aspect of construction. Employees work daily with one another, depend on one another’s work and therefore hold each other accountable for workmanship. The result is consistency and quality. Conventional homes are constructed by subcontractors: a workforce made up of strangers who travel from job to job. These laborers have little accountability once they’ve moved on and even less investment in the quality of the final product.
Where are modular houses built? They are constructed in a factory or, to be even more general, they are constructed indoors. This means that building materials are stored and processed in a controlled climate. It also means that laborers are able to work in a comfortable setting with little concern about the weather. By contrast, site built houses are constructed outdoors and subject to the natural elements of the local area. Materials are subject to fluctuations in temperature and humidity which can cause warping, mold and mildew. Laborers must often work in challenging conditions like extreme heat or cold which can adversely affect the quality of work done.
How are modular homes built? They are created using an assembly line process. Modular construction is standardized, supervised and inspected for quality at every stage. On the other hand, the process of building a traditional home depends on the availability of a general contractor, materials and labor. Work is often unsupervised and checked only upon completion.
In conclusion, modular houses are built better because they need to be and there are many factors that contribute to the quality of modular housing. Modules must withstand transport over long distances and be structurally strong enough to be lifted by crane. It is important to note that the quality of the house still depends on the quality of the manufacturer. Likewise, the general contractor and laborers who put the modules together on site will affect the quality of the home.
Posted in Modular Homes.
Tagged with Modular Homes.
By Home Manufactured
– May 22, 2010
A modular home is a house that is made up of sections, or modules, that have been constructed in a factory and then transported to the building site for assembly. The modules resemble rooms or partial rooms and are generally square or rectangular in shape. They are built in a factory under controlled conditions and then encased in plastic before transport to reduce any chance of damage or wear. They are usually moved on flat bed trucks and unloaded by crane at the home site. With the help of a general contractor, and the crane, the modules are joined together and set onto a foundation. Plumbing, wiring, interior and exterior finishes are then completed.
Modern modular homes can be engineered to virtually any size and configuration. There are hundreds of floor plans available and a variety of styles to choose from. They offer the same feature, fixture and appliance options as conventionally built houses. Modular home plans can incorporate decks, porches, garages and basements but these additions are built on site rather than in the factory. Modular home construction can be used to produce simple ranch houses, luxury mansions, multi family dwellings or duplexes. Modular cabins, cottages and chalet modular homes are common types of vacation structures. Many modular home manufacturers are even willing to develop a custom design.
The production of a new modular house begins once the contract is signed and a deposit is received. Buyers can purchase through modular home dealers or directly through a modular factory. While the house is being built, the site should be prepared. Buyers should find a general contractor who is familiar with modular construction and often the manufacturer will recommend or provide one. Quality of the final product is determined by the work of both the modular builder and the general contractor.
New modular homes are built approximately 90 percent in the factory and 10 percent on site. This reduces construction time from start to finish, limits the potential for weather damage and lowers the cost of contracting. They are engineered to the same building codes, cost the same to insure, look the same and have the same resale value as traditionally built houses. For all of these reasons, modular home building is gaining in popularity and acceptance around the world.
Posted in Modular Homes, What Is A ....
Tagged with chalet modular homes, cottages, modular cabins, Modular Homes, modular house.
By Home Manufactured
– April 18, 2010
A factory built home is a home that is built in a factory as a whole or in parts. There are four categories of factory built homes: manufactured homes, modular homes, panelized homes and precut homes. Each type of home is completed to varying degrees within the factory environment. The more work put in at the factory, the less work that is required at the building site.
Manufactured homes are constructed entirely in the factory and transported to the building site as a finished house. Modular homes are built in sections in the factory and transported separately or together to the building site. The sections, or modules, are then assembled into a finished product. Panelized homes are created from factory built panels which resemble the walls of a house. They are joined at the building site and require significantly more on-site labor than manufactured and modular housing. Precut homes are the closest to conventional site built homes and use far less factory assistance than the previously described homes. Precut homes, which include kit homes, are made of materials cut to specification at the factory and delivered to the builder. Generally, factory built homes are installed on to permanent foundations at the building site.
Factory built homes are increasingly considered to be superior in quality to traditional site built homes. Mass production of housing allows companies to purchase complex machinery and high quality lumber. The factory setting provides climate control and protection from vandalism. The assembly line process allows for consistency of workmanship and greater quality control. Factory built homes are made to withstand the potential hazards of transport. Modular homes, panelized homes and precut homes are constructed to the highest standards so as to fit into any local building codes.
Homes manufactured in a factory can be referred to as prebuilt homes, premade homes, pre-engineered homes and prefabricated homes, or prefabs for short. Mobile homes are also considered under the banner of factory built homes.
Posted in Manufactured Homes, Modular Homes, Panelized Homes, Precut Homes, What Is A ....
Tagged with factory built home, Manufactured Homes, mobile homes, Modular Homes, Panelized Homes, pre engineered homes, prebuilt home, Precut Homes, prefabricated homes, premade homes.
By Home Manufactured
– April 12, 2010
