The Manufactured Housing Forums

I want to know about the roofs put on homes. Do you have a roof design that would work in tornado country? I am wanting to buy a manf. home but want to make sure it can handle the strong winds and snow. Now, I have read up on roofs in tornado country. It is the design of the roof that takes away the danger and destruction of the storm. And you are always told to leave a home if it is a manufactured home. What can I do to make sure I can stay in it? just as people do in housing. That is, if I did not have time to leave. How about fires? is it the same as as non-manufactoring homes. I am trying to make sure that when I buy my manufactured home I get the best I can in construction . Is it more expensive for me to put in my own requests on how I want the design, or do I choose as best as I can the pre made home?

People who stay in their homes in the face of a tornado are wishing to die....Talk to quality dealers representing quality homes about your concerns....Few plants would change the basic design of the roof except roof pitch...It probably would be cheaper to build an underground tornado shelter.....There are commercially available concrete steps that have a shelter built in to them...they anchor into the ground and should be able to survive very powerful tornadoes...

Very powerful tornadoes are the most dangerous weather condition...Shopping Centers, Schools, brick homes, block homes, stick built homes are all vulnerable to them..The only really safe places in the face of the most powerful tornado is under ground...Talk to a dealer about your concerns...

A couple points about modification -
Roof - house will be built standard to the HUD snow load. Check with your local county building / planning office to see what's required - a good dealer should know this. You can option-up for a heavier-built roof if desired.
Flammability - Houses built without sheetrock were firetraps. Modern homes are all-sheetrock; you can spend more for tape and texture like any site-built home.
Design changes - You can get a reverse floor plan, or make non-structural modifications at little or no cost. IF engineering changes are required because of your modifications, that will cost more. Some modifications can't be done.

If I were buying mine again, I would have done these things:
1.got 2x8 or 2x10 floor joists
2.got OSB or plywood floors
3. I have 30# snow load; that's what is required in my area; I might have gone with 40 or 50, just for a stronger roof.
Those are my personal choices, some may say none are necessary.

Try searching for Washington Home Center. Their website shows a variety of homes with features and options that will give you a feel for what is available.