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Modular Home Frequently Asked Questions
Construction and Manufacturing Modular Homes
Modular Home Construction FAQs
What Upgrades Should I Consider When Buying a Modular Home?
I personally recommend upgrading options to make your new modular home energy efficient. Upgrades in the thermal envelope will lower your homes overall operating costs and cost next to nothing compared energy efficient retrofits. The savings you find in energy efficient upgrades can pay for cosmetic upgrades during your life time ownership of your new modular home.
Insulation | Upgrading the insulation in your modular homes walls, ceilings and floors will save you on your energy bill and also keep your home free of outside noise pollution. Insulation upgrades include: spray foam insulation applications; rigid insulation board and additional R-Value for insulation in the ceiling system. |
Windows | The standard window installed in new construction today are constructed from vinyl. I believe people are better off upgrading to a vinyl clad window where the core of the window is wood or even better off fiberglass windows. Vinyl windows typically provide the better short term value in a home with lower U-Values. In the long run, wood and fiberglass framed windows will save you on replacement costs. |
HRVs or ERVs | Modular homes are inherently constructed tighter than most site built homes. Adding an ERV or an HRV to your home will provide quality indoor air for the occupants. The thought that modular homes needs to breath is a false hood. Modular homes need to be able to dry on their own or with mechanical systems. An HRV or ERV will help keep a home dry. Dry insulation is also more effective at resisting heat flow - saving on energy costs to keep your new modular home comfortable and healthy year round. |
Air Sealing | Air sealing a modular home will eliminate drafts and cold spots in your new home. The ultimate air sealing for a modular home during construction is to have the home sealed with two inches of spray foam insulation on the exterior walls and the ceiling system. On site air sealing would include the band joists, mechanical chases, duct work (registers, grills and duct joints). |
ZipSystem | ZipSystem sheathing is superior to using house wrap on your home. The Zip System eliminated the need for house wrap or felt paper. The Zip System is a lifetime investment for your new modular home. Haven Custom Homes offer Zip System sheathing for their Haven Custom Homes Presidential series and their Classic Homes by Haven. |
Design Work | Design work is more than locating walls in your new modular home. Design work should also include positioning the home on the building site, rating the homes energy efficiency using a modeling software (used by HERs Raters for ENERGY STAR) and maybe an engineer if you are going to use passive solar to heat your home. |
On Demand Hot Water Heating | Having an on demand hot water heating system is the most efficient hot water heating system if your home has natural gas. Electric on demand systems consume large amounts of electricity. If you do install a on demand hot water heating system, take into consideration the transmission costs of natural gas. You might only use fifteen dollars of natural gas a month, but your transmission fees could be twenty or more. Liquid propane is a great alternative to natural gas hot water heating if your home is heated by electricity. |
Insulation -
Modular homes standard insulation is fiberglass batts. The upgrades I would make to my modular home would include: spray foam insulation, additional insulation in the ceiling cavity; t in the sidewalls
What Can I Do To Make a Modular Home More Energy Efficient?
What Types of Insulation is Available in a Modular Home?
Who Installs the Duct Work in a Modular Home?
Who Builds the Garage When I Buy a Modular Home?
How Strong Are Modular Homes Compared to Stick Built Homes?
What Are the Weak Points in a Modular Home?
What is the Difference Between a Modular and a Mobile Home?
Is There Such Thing as a Double Wide Modular Home?
How Are Modular Homes Delivered to the Building Site?
How Are Modular Homes Built?
Where Are Modular Homes Built?
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Floor Plans I Pricing & Cost I Design I Construction I Builders I Financing I FAQs I Modular Articles
Modular Home FAQs