Plywood vs Nova/Cresdeck flooring

[Melissa]

Hello all. I can't tell you how happy I am to find this site. Although I must confess after reading some of the entries I'm feeling very uneasy about purchasing a MF home
My husband and I are in the very beginning stages of "thinking" about selling our home in the city (a home we love) so we can purchase some property and give our children room to roam. We can't afford a stick home so we are debating a MF one. The only options we have here are Champion, Karsten, and Skyline. Skyline is claiming they use a plywood sub floor, while karsten uses novadeck and Champion uses 3/4" cresdeck. All claim theirs is the best. All I can say is "ugh" Can't they all just agree and use the same stuff! Karsten and Champion claim the partical boards they use are of the HIGHEST quality and are preferable to plywood as plywood can warp and squeek...yadda, yadda, yadda. Can someone please lead us in the right direction? We live in the desert so outside moisture is not a big issue. I found a Champion home layout that I really like, but I don't want to buy something and REALLY regret it someday. For us to sell our home and buy a MF one seems like such a step down. We have a beautiful older home in a wonderful neighborhood. I truly would like top quality because this is something we are wanting to keep and grow old in. I would hate to lose a home I love for something I hate and is nothing but one headache after another. All homes have their problems...even stick built. We just recently had to re-plumb our entire home and all things eventually need repairing, soon it will be the electrical. But I would hate to have the walls and floor give out on me!! Do any of you know the difference between novadeck, cresdeck, and plywood??
On a completely different subject.....how many of you are familiar with wells??? That's another item of concern. We have always lived on city utilities...having a well is a tad bit frightening if I do say so! Any of you have a well go dry?? Hmmmm.....

Well whatever y'all can tell me would be VERY GREATLY appreciated. This is such a big decision and we need all the help we can get.

Melissa
PS I know theres a book out there but I prefer to hear of peoples personal experiences

[Charlotte Maness]

Mr. Murray this is one for you in particular with the questions about Plywood vs. Nova/Cresdeck flooring.

[bill harlow]

melissa
there is a list of things to avoid if you check out the web site of consumer
reports. one of them is sub floor choices. consumer reports does not use adveretisments . it is supported by subscribers only.

[rmurray]

My oppinion...from many years of experience, some in the used home business...

Novo Deck...a Georgia Pacific brand name for their floor quality pressboard...should be BANNED from the industry...They are proud of the 10 yr. warranty..but read it..it excludes moisture in any way (it actually says that the warranty is void if you accidentally leave a window or door open)...well DAH...moisture is what ruins the stuff and quickly..Georgia Pacific is a good company and represents this stuff the way it is...manufacturers persist in using it because it is cheap and easy to work with in the plant....But a large percentage of homes WILL have problems over time..

Cressdeck is a brand name of another company out West..I have never seen the product...but from my web research..it looks exactly like NovoDeck...I have been unable to find a copy of the warranty..but the company does call it pressboard on their own web site..The pictures they use look exactly the same as NovoDeck..The best I can say is read the warranty..My experience tells me to avoid pressboard period...Our dealership never sells pressboard in any new home..

Moisture problems are not all related to the exterior humity..Examples of things I have seen ruin pressboard floors...condensation on the inside of sliding glass doors..minor leaks in wax ring of commode (floor is shot before you know you have problem)..although bath floors are supposed to be water proofed...moisture from bath tub and shower areas....I have even seen whole house floors ruined from "steam" carpet cleaners (probably not used the way the instructions call for but used the way most people use them)..minor leaks in water lines, minor leaks in dishwashers, minor leaks in washers..The worst damage has been from inproper dryer vents under the home..this can happen even if the vent WAS correctly installed but dry rotted over time and leaked moisture under the home..

Find the nearest all used home dealership and ask them their oppinion...look at the homes that just came in before any repairs are done..

I am sure that both manufacturers you mentioned offer either plywood or OSB option for the floor..OSB is a different material and is very good for floors..

You are doing the right thing to have a successful purchase..Education is the thing that will help you the most...the fact that you are here means you will be ok when you purchase..

By the way..I am sure that you have other brands available to you as well...extend your search to about a 100 mile radius..Most dealers are comfortable delivering in this area..

You might want to invest in the book sold here..just remember that it is not the Bible..but from what I hear..it has much valuable info..and can be a great help in that education process..

[rmurray]

This question probably requires a much more local response than you can get here..Many folks much prefer well water to city water..It is natural and not treated with all sorts of chemicals like your city water is..

One thing to remember is that there is no flouride in the water like the city has..You might want to be sure you use flouride toothpaste to help your teeth..

I would recommend that you talk to the well drillers in your area..also..other home owners very close to your land..ask about the water and if there ever is any problems with them going dry..

Good Luck

[Melissa]

Thank you all sooooo much for taking the time to respond. With three messy boys who tend to get water all over when they shower etc. I think we will for sure steer clear of the pressboards. I will do a larger proximity search and see what else is available. We are in So CA, so hopefully we can find another manufacturer. I believe we will go and take a look at the Skylines though....we'll just take a look Richard and keep in mind all you have/are gone/going through They DO use plywood subflooring though...so that is a plus. As for the wells we did talk to one family who live in very close proximity to where we are thinking of purchasing land and she said that in the 12 years they have lived there they have had no problems with the well water. It is nice and cold and crystal clear.
Well I thank you again! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. This is SUCH a big decision. I can't tell you how torn we are... Having property in the "country" (sticks actually) would be so healthy for the boys. What to do, what to do..

Melissa

[Patty]

I'll pray that you make the right decision. I would LOVE to have a manufactured home in the "country". Finding the land is my biggest problem.

Good luck!

[Judy]

Hi Melissa, I feel your pain. I sell another brand of home with novadecking floors and they are wonderful. I live in a MH with plywood floors and the squeak, squeak is unending. My son in law had to go under and brace the entire floor. It still squeaks. 7 years of selling novadeck and NO problems. The only other alternative would be the best one, OSB tongue and groove, if its available, invest in it. Good luck, Judy

[Judy]

By the way Melissa, Try to find a home in your area that has 2x4 16 0C interior walls. If you can find a Horton, buy it. The MH is built as well, if not better than site built and they offer OSB floors. Construction is soooo important and you shouldn't have to pay alot more. As the saying goes, ya get what ya pay for. And as I said before---novadeck is better than plywood, especially if its a cheaply built home. Take it from one who really knows. Judy

[Melissa]

Hi Judy...and others

My husband doesn't understand why there would be such a squeek problem with plywood subfloors. They have been using plywood subfloors in two story stick built houses for years! He should know he use to build them. My parents also have a raised foundation older home with plywood subflooring and except for the occasional "squeek" they have had no problems. Their home was built in the 1930s! (of course the floor may have been replaced at some point in time) Do you think it could have to do with something other that the plywood? Perhaps whatever is bracing the plywood? (sorry....construction illiterate here)

Melissa