If you’re in the market for an affordable housing option, you’ve most likely been considering a manufactured home. But what is the difference between a manufactured home and a mobile home? And what about modular homes? Which one is the best option for your family? The home experts at Prestige Home are here to answer all your questions.
Mobile Homes
When you hear the phrase “mobile home”, your mind is most likely filled with images of your grandma’s trailer or of a retirement home community with lots filled with pre-fabricated homes that can be towed away if needed. If these homes were assembled prior to 1976, then you would be absolutely correct.
In America, mobile homes became popular shortly after World War II as an affordable housing option for veterans who may need to move frequently for new career opportunities. These “travel trailers” were built inexpensively and on a trailer chassis to keep them mobile.
Manufactured Homes
As mobile homes continued getting larger and more frequently became permanent living structures, Congress recognized the importance of regulating the codes to which these homes were built. In 1976, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development enacted regulars to which all mobiles home had to be built. Shortly after, the name for these homes was officially updated to “manufactured homes” to distinguish the regulations to which the different homes were built.
Manufactured homes are now semi-permanent structures that are assembled in a manufacturing facility and then transported to the owner’s property for final installation. While they can be moved if needed, it is no longer a simple process of towing them being a truck. Construction in a controlled environment allows these homes to be built to very close tolerances ensuring they are properly assembled according to frequently updated standards.
Due to these standards, modern manufactured homes are significantly safer than mobile homes of the past. Hurricane straps, ground anchors, OBS siding, and several other improvements to these home’s construction make these homes significantly more prepared to withstand storm and hurricane winds. Entire communities of Nobility Homes have withstood severe hurricanes with minimal to no damage. Nobility Homes can be found at any of the ten Prestige Factory Model Centers in Florida.
Modular Homes
Although they often follow the same customizable floor plans as manufactured homes, modular homes are built onto permanent foundations rather than raised semi-permanent foundations. These homes are only partially assembled into multiple large pieces before they are transported to their permanent destination and assembly is completed.
Any of the floor plans that can be toured at a Prestige Model Center can be built as a manufactured home or as a modular home. For more information on which home is right for you, or to start shopping for your new Nobility home, contact Prestige today!