How do I get Information

[Travis]

Randy,
I have read your books and they have been a great help. I was unaware of some of the shorcuts (IMO) that manufactures take. My wife and I have visited a few sales centers. When I ask about the actual construction of the home no one seems to know any of the details. After reading your books I want to make sure that my home is quality built and will last for a long time. I am having trouble getting the information that I need. Do I need to contact the manufacture directly or how do I get this information?

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Travis,

In my research I have found, companies that build poorly built manufactured homes typically don't offer any in-depth construction information. Their brochures are very vague with little information. On the other hand companies that built quality manufactured homes go out of their way by supplying you with all kinds of information on construction.

This is not a good sign if salespeople don't know how their homes are constructed. I would contact the manufacturer for this information.

Randy Eaton

[Travis]

Randy Thanks for the help.
I am sure we will shop around more for a more knowledgeable service center.

I do have another question. You also mentioned about the sub-flooring being made of particle board and the fact that this won't last over time because of the fact that if it gets wet it will swell. I was wondering if one couldn't put down some water sealent like what is used on exterior decks? Would this be a possible option?

I have noticed that some manufactures caulk the corners of the walls instead of actually taping and texturing them. Is this also something to be concerned about or is this standard in manufactured homes?

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Travis,

Consumer Reports recommends using plywood as a sub-floor in a manufactured home, it will not swell like particleboard when exposed to water. I believe plywood and T/G are a good choice but I am not against using particleboard if it has been treated with a water-resistant coating. Cresdeck and NovaDeck are products that are being used in the industry successfully. The problems with standard particleboard is, when exposed to water the particleboard will swell causing expensive repair bills. Particleboard that has been treated to resist water is dark brown in color and comes with a warranty. The floor in my home is made of Cresdeck. I have had no problems with this product and would recommend it to anyone. When touring different display models look for exposed sub-floors to determine which product is being used. Standard (yellow) particleboard is a poor choice and should be avoided at all costs. If a manufacturer were using standard particleboard I would not hesitate to walk out and look for another manufacturer that has my best interests at heart.

Randy Eaton

[rmurray]

Randy...

Please do not take this as a direct disagreement...but...our experience with subfloors must be very different...

I have had no direct experience with Cressdeck since the stuff is manufactured out West and not sold in the SE...I have seen the product on the web site though..

I am VERY experienced with NovoDeck from GP...It is standard equipment in all SE Fleetwoods, Hortons, Southern Energy's, Oakwoods, some Champion brands and others...The warranty is very clear that it is void when moisture contacts the floor...As a matter of fact after seeing hundreds of bad floors..I have NEVER heard of a successful claim on the warranty..The product is NOT brown in color...It is a light biege....All manufacturers MUST water treat the wet areas (baths and kitchens) and the color changes then...Sometimes brown, green or yellow depending on the treatment used by the plant..

Unfortunately these treatments do not seem to solve all of the problems and are only in the wet areas..moisture problems are common at doors and windows..especially sliding glass doors in the SE.....I have never seen totally rotten OSB and very few rotten plywood floors...even in very old homes...but I have seen hundreds of bad floors with NovoDeck brand floor...Our reposession store just pulled in a nice 32x80 Fleetwood 2000 model that needed about $ 1000 worth of floor work before we could sell it..We see it time and again..

My dealer (with 40 years experience) has taken the policy to NEVER sell this stuff in new homes...even though we handle some of the above brands..even if it means that we loose a deal or two to the cheaper price of the subfloor...

I have seen David post similar thoughts on this..his experience is in the SE as well..somehow..maybe this is a regional difference that you need to be aware of..