Need Advice on Home Choices/Insulation

[juliem]

Hello all on the forum!

I was needing some help narrowing down some choices. We have been doing our shopping and our homework. My husband and I will make this our last home, so we want to make the right choice. One thing that concerns us it being able to heat and cool. So many have R 19 insulation and up and we have seen ratings up to r-38 for attics. We live in Oklahoma where we can easily see temps in the 100s up to 110F and cold weather as low as below 0. Another concern is wind. What will stand up to some of our straight line winds here?

I am impressed with the claims Palm Harbor Homes makes regarding the hurricanes and their durability. Wow! The price compared to the other houses is quite a bit more. Worth 20,000K more than competitors???

The other homes I am considering are Redman (Champion), Clayton (has a layout that I really like), Patriot Homes or an Indies House.

Many of these manufacturers have 6 inch exterior walls, 8 inch floor joists, R 19 or R 22 insulation rating. I have been told the 6 inch walls don't help unless the insulation is R-30.

What's the most durable? Economical? I am less concerned about getting fancy interiors, upgrades, ceramic tile, etc. All that can come later. What's the home that will last and be easy to keep cool?

I would love to hear back from some of you that own homes from these manufacturers. How easy to heat and cool? Insulated well? Floors and walls holding up? Cabinetry and woodwork, plumbing, and electrical all up to good standards?

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions!

[Mac]

Have a look at the Energy Star website. In general, get all the insulation you can - it will pay for itself.

[Peter]

** Moderator's Note- This submission was submitted by Mr Wagnoss**

Hello Folks; We too have been doing our homework for many years and right
now we would choose the Palm Harbor or the Sunshine Homes which are built
for the hurricane areas. Check them out also. However be prepared for the
red tape with PH , what a screwed up sales concept but the product is top
line in our estimation as well as the Sunshine homes. You will find all your
looking for in each of these. It still all boils down to the setting, no
matter how good the product is the setting must be done perfect. Not many
can say that!! Most all complaints come after a poor setting of homes. Good
luck.

Author: David Wangnoss

[rmurray]

The best Energy conserving homes are Energy Star ready homes..You can see which home meet these tough, expensive standards here...

For OK go here. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fus ... &s_code=OK

Insulation is only a small part of the story..Duct systems...making a home leak free are at least as important...Only 1 of the manufacturers you mentioned are listed as Energy Star qualified...

The fellow who told you his 6 inch wall had R=30 insulation...lied..there is NO such thing available for the side wall...Homes built to the HUD code are expected to last about 60 years if cared for..but there are vast differences in homes even if they all meet the code...It might be worthwhile to stop by the bookstore here to buy one of the buyers guides listed here...MobileHome.Com's Bookstore

[David Oxhandler]

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