Mobile Versus Manufactured Homes
The terms “mobile home” and “manufactured home” are often used by the general public to describe the same type of home. Mobile homes and manufactured homes were finally distinguished from each other in 1974 when the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Act was passed. This act, was followed in 1976 by the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, usually called “the HUD Code,” which set standards for the following:
- Design and construction
- Body and frame requirements
- Thermal protection
- Plumbing and electrical
- Fire safety
- Energy efficiency And other aspects within these homes!
The intent of the HUD Code is to improve the durability and quality of manufactured homes, and it is the only federally-regulated national building code.
In 1974 Congress passed the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act, which were soon followed by the HUD Code. The HUD Code went into effect in 1976, and the Housing Act of 1980 mandated that the term “manufactured” be used in place of “mobile” in all federal laws and literature that referenced homes built after 1976.
Modern manufactured homes are extremely different from the mobile homes built prior to 1976. Manufactured homes are generally built in three standard sizes—single wide, double wide and triple wide. They are built entirely inside home building facilities that are climate controlled to avoid weather delays and almost always have lots of customizable options such as types of flooring, cabinetry and exterior finish, just to name a few. Each Clayton Built® home is internally inspected multiple times throughout various phases of construction to confirm proper construction and quality.
If the home is placed on blocks or metal piers, skirting can be added to customize the home to your liking. Manufactured homes can also be placed on a permanent foundation or on a basement—just like a site-built home. Manufactured homes can usually be relocated; however, will probably require the help of a contractor that specializes in manufactured home set up and delivery.
The Benefits of Purchasing a Manufactured Home
Today’s manufactured homes are built to the same quality and safety standards as site-built homes. However, manufactured homes have a more affordable price tag, making home ownership a reality for more people. And unlike mobile homes, many manufactured homes are almost indistinguishable from site-built homes.
Manufactured homes are built in an indoor, controlled environment. This construction process offers many advantages:
The building materials are never exposed to outdoor weather to stay dry and at a consistent temperature.
Manufactured homes can be built quicker, as inclement weather does not affect construction.
Manufacturers buy their materials in bulk. In turn, they pass the savings onto the home buyers, which is one of the reasons why manufactured homes are typically less expensive than site-built homes.
Many manufactured home builders offer some level of customization. Buyers can still create the home of their dreams while staying in budget.
There are many factors that affect a house’s appreciation. But much like site-built homes, well maintained manufactured homes can appreciate in value.
Manufactured homes are built on their own steel chassis and wheels. Manufactured homes are placed on permanent foundations with a wide variety of skirting options. This includes brick, giving the appearance of a site-built home.
Florida Hurricane Concerns
The “HUD Code wind zone classification” is simply a fancy term to let homeowners know that their home has been designed and built to withstand winds up to a particular strength based on where the home is.
- Zone 3 – Designed to resist wind speeds up to 110 mph.
- Zone 2 – Designed to resist wind speeds up to100 mph.
- Zone 1 – Designed for the interior of the country where hurricanes are not expected.
For Florida, we are zone 3.