The Manufactured Housing Forums

Randy, my husband and I bought your book and have gone through bits and pieces of it (just got it today). Even though my husband was a framer for three years and knows quite a alot about stick built construction we are both a bit confused with what the heck gypsum is. The home we are looking to buy is a Skyline Oak Manor. We have walked through them and the walls look to be drywall just like a stick built home. Yet the specs on the home list 1/2" Tape & Textured Gypsum. Until we bought your book we both assumed Gypsum was the same as 1/2" Drywall which is used in virtually every home in CA. You mention Gypsum as being a bad thing, that sheet rock is superior. Can you please explain the difference??

Thank you! I am sure as we read on in your book we will have more questions
Melissa

Hello Melissa,

Gypsum board and sheet rock are the same product. The problem is...when Gypsum board is used in mfg. homes it usually comes in 1/4" or 3/8" thickness, which is too thin and very weak in my opinion. When I say Gypsum is a poor product this is the reason because it's too thin. Now, if a home has Gypsum board and it's 1/2" or 5/8" this is good and I have no problem with this. I will change the wording so as not to confuse the issue. I hope I cleared this up. Here is a link to an article about Gymsum board http://www.bpb-celotex.com/gypsum/aboutgypsum.html

Randy Eaton

Oh good! Thank you so much Randy for clearing up Gypsum vs Drywall. You really had my husband perplexed as to what the difference was

We have read your book almost from cover to cover. It's been a big help! We never even thought about the electrical outlets not being secured properly, or them not placing headers above doors and windows! Now we have some good questions to ask the dealer.

There was one more thing in your book that was a tad bit confusing. You mentioned the plumbing: "Whether the manufacturer uses copper, PVC or Polybutylene piping, make sure all fittings are metal and not plastic" (quote)

OK, is it possibly to have CPVC piping with metal fittings?? Are you talking about the fixtures or the actual piping?

Thanks,
Melissa

Hello Melissa,

The answer to your first question is YES. The answer to your second question is...I am talking about pipping under your home.

Randy Eaton

Hi Melissa,

Our Skyline came with the 1/2 inch wallboard in it. It is also reinforced with fiberglass and makes it very strong. I know because I replaced the thermostat and saw the fiberglass where the hole for it was. Also the Skyline comes with CPVC pipes which are glued at the joints. Should give you no problems. A question, who are you buying your home from?

Bill W.

If we for sure decide on a skyline we will probably be purchasing it through High Desert Housing in Victorville. They have given us the most competative price and are also rated #2 by Skyline's San Jaucinto plant (forgive the spelling). We are possibly going to go to Stanton this weekend though and check out some Hallmark Homes. I know 5 star is a skyline dealer there. Perhaps we will check out their prices as well

Melissa