Modular companies

[Bill Fry]

Plywood will lose its strength over time if its introduced to moisture frequently,Cresdeck will lose its strengtht in *no* time if its introduced to moisture frequently.Ones a laminated product,the other is a pressed product.Don't be talked into buying a home with a pressboard floor.3/4 inch.plywood or OSB is the only choice.

[David Oxhandler]

"Manufacturers of oriented strandboard and plywood claim both products work well. But using panels made of wood chips makes some builders nervous. Like it or not, osb will define the future of the structural sheathing market. "

That is the opening passage of a great artilce from the Universety of Mass. You can read on line. Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood

[trmimo]

The key is make sure your homes is properly installed.
If it is properly installed moisture is not an issue.
Especially over a basment.
Most of the posters who insist on plywood are in the south where homes are seldom over basements and are often installed with no ground moisture barrier.
When a home is improperly installed, but has plywood floors, the moisture will damage something else (like walls).
Plywood has draw backs too, like floor squeaks and curled edges (even with tongue and groove).
The floor decking is only one consideration.
For example, the Fortune has standard plywood floors, but has the cheapest cabinets and mouldings and windows and doors of any home you mentioned.
Many people here sell home that use plywood and are trained to sell against everything else.
I sell all 3 kinds of decking, and I would say all things being equal choose plywood then osb then particleboard.
But the point is some that don't offer plywood still offer a better house than some that do.
And the decking choice is not the most important factor.

[Mark]

>We were notified recently that the home would be on a frame
> because we have a sunken den. Any thoughts on that?

Did you want it off frame? Keep in mind that leaving the frame essentially leaves it as a manufactured home, not a modular. Everyone I've come across (banks, appraisers, etc) have indicated that, if you leave the frame, it's a mobile home and will be treated as such,.

> Our home is going to be 60' x 32' so we are getting upgraded walls and flooring

Mine is a 32 wide, off frame modular and was upped to 2x10 floor joists. On frame, it would have been 2x8's.

I'm still haven't figured out why manufactered home builders tout 2x6 sidewalls. Virtually NO site built home builder (and I checked) will use 2x6's unless specfically demanded by the homeowner. The cost difference and time it takes to recoup the extra expense isn't worth it, at least in the south..
Maybe the cost to a MH builder is significantly less.

More than 2x6 sidewalls, I'd ask what the roof is made of. Is it made of 2x6? 2x4? even 2x2?!

I'd rather have a roof of 2x4 or 2x6 than 2x6 sidewalls (over 2x4's).

I'd ask to see a finished, installed home, not a model or lot home, but one actually being lived in, preferebly setup within the last year and from the same plant (if yours has more than one) as the home you are considering.

[Dave]

2x6 is important remeber we have to drive these homes down the road so they need to be strong. In Addition the rules set up by the state form modular have a lot of input from Stick builders before and engineers. Some say it is all for strength some think it has to do with helping the stick builder by requiring uogrades for a modular that are not required for a local stick build home.

However 2x6 is a better way to build a home and should make you feel better about the quakity of the construction

[Dave]

2x6 is important remeber we have to drive these homes down the road so they need to be strong. In Addition the rules set up by the state form modular have a lot of input from Stick builders before and engineers. Some say it is all for strength some think it has to do with helping the stick builder by requiring uogrades for a modular that are not required for a local stick build home.

However 2x6 is a better way to build a home and should make you feel better about the quality of the construction

[Dave]

most roof systems are made with a 2x 8 roof system or better in themanufactured h ome industry. Did you ask the different dealers or manufacturers of the homes you are considering for alist of the standard spec on the home these things should all be listed

[Doug]

All of the above information is good, and you are certainly wise to 'shop' before you make what will probably be the largest investment of your life. The fact that the home remains on a frame or not, however, does not distinguish between modular and manufactured. True modular homes are built to UBC code, in addition to having to comply with State codes. Manufactured homes, on the other hand, are built to HUD code, and will have a HUD plate permanently attached. Many of the major differences, (full finished drywall, heavier roof load ratings, 5/12 or steeper roof pitch, thermopane windows, perimeter floor span systems for basement sets, etc., etc.) are available as options on Manufactured Homes, where they are standard on Modulars, due primarily to the differences in Codes.
It is true that some lenders still distinguish between 'on-frame' and 'off-frame' modulars, however in the new FNMA guidelines for modulars, they eliminated the terminology that requires an appraiser to list the home as a modular, and will allow the comparables to have two site-builts and one modular, as opposed to three modular comps. These are only guidelines, and do not require the lenders to comply with them.
In your shopping, I would suggest that you also look at Fairmont Homes. They have a floor system that is second to none in the Industry, their roof load construction does not even offer a 20lb option, and they offer over 20 different colors of carpet, as opposed to the standard 5 to 10 most builders today offer.
We have been an exclusive Fairmont Dealer for several years, and basically chose them due to the overall quality of their homes. They are the only Factory that I know of that has won the Silver Quality award from the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders).
We are located in Missouri, and if there is any way we can help you achieve you dream, whether or not you buy your Home from us, including the purchase your land, construction financing, and permanent financing, please feel free to contact us for any or all questions you may have. Thank you, Doug

[Roberto DiTommaso]

I have 30+ years in the industry and live in my own designed 4 unit OBBC modular.
There are many products available in both HUD and Industrialized Modular all regulated by a specify code. Like anything regulated, you have minimum to overkill. Find one that fits your need and wallet. The most important factor in my mind is who is the dealer/builder and who is doing the site improvements, ie. foundation. This can make all the difference in what you end up with.

[Bill Fry]

Who builds a roof system with 2 by 8's in the MH industry?Virtually all MH builders as well as most commercial stick builders use pre fab trusses. 2 by 4 trusses on 24 inch centers is the standard,some Mh builders use 2 by 2's in some extremely weird engineered roof systemsThe only place I see 2 by 8 raffters is in custom built homes these days..Way to much weight for a MH as well as extrmely non cost effective.and unecessary.