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Modular, Mobile, Stick Built…What’s in a Name?

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From time-to-time we are asked what is the difference between “manufactured homes” and “modular homes” or what’s better, modular or stick-built?  These are great questions that we could probably talk about for an entire day, but here is the short answer:

Modular Vs “Stick-Built”

They are the same.  “Stick-built” refers to wood construction with dimensional lumber like 2×4 and 2×6 walls.  The modular homes Cayuga Country Homes constructs are stick-built with the same materials used for a site-built home.  So a better way to think about it is SITE-BUILT vs OFF-SITE.

Our modular homes are built off-site, in a climate controlled factory, protected from the weather, using the same materials a site-built home would use.  We build both site-built and modular homes and use the same materials in both.

Mobile or Manufactured Homes

To most of us, a “manufactured” home would be something that is partially built before it gets to the building site, like a modular home is.  However, in the world of real-estate a “manufactured home” specifically means a home the is built off-site to the HUD building code.  The HUD code is a federal minimum code for performance.  HUD code homes require a steel frame chassis and most people think of these as “single-wide” and “double-wide” homes.

Manufactured or HUD-code homes use very different materials than a typical modular or site-built home and in some cases you will actually see a label in the home warning you that the materials used can be hazardous to your health (remember the trailers FEMA provided that made people sick? Some of them were HUD-code homes).

In addition to different materials, the standards are totally different than the state-specific codes for modular and site-built homes, which allows them to have lower-cost assemblies for roof, floor, wall and other systems.  They are not as strong or durable, because they don’t have to be.

CODE VS CODE

While manufactured homes are built to the HUD code, site-built and modular homes must meet the New York State Building Code or New York State Residential Code.  These are building standards for safety, performance and energy efficiency.  These standards are very different that the HUD code in many ways and it’s difficult to provide a detailed explanation because the codes are totally different in terms of their goals, how often they are updated, how the standards are set and more.  The HUD code is specifically designed to allow lower-cost housing, while the state-codes are include higher-standards with the intention of longer-lasting homes.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Generally speaking, the HUD code allows for cheaper construction with different requirements and materials than you would expect in a conventional home.  In addition, while modular and site-built homes tend to go up in value over time and can be financed with a conventional mortgage, manufactured (HUD code) homes tend to go down in value over time (like a car does) and are financed differently.

A well-built modular home is stick-built, it’s just assembled in a factory, not at the job-site and meets or exceeds the standards of a home built from scratch on the building site.  They are they same in terms of code requirements and financing.

HUD code homes save money by factory production and lower cost materials and assemblies.  Modular homes save money by efficient factory production and volume-buying using the same quality of materials as a site-built home.

It’s now HOT to be COOL

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Our friends at JB Smith heating completed instalation of a high-efficiency ductless mini split heat pump on a current project.

When installed right, these units are pretty incredible.  They are extremely energy efficient, super-quiet and the heat-pump models we specify provide both Cooling and Heating!

Sizing and installation of these units for heating is critical for proper performance.  Also note how we mount it on a wall bracket above the typical snow level so in winter it can work properly.  In summer, these units have a “dry” mode where they provide extra dehumidification while cooling.

In a well-insulated home, these units offer heating and cooling at a cost below propane (for heating) and offer extra comfort because they use inverter technology to adjust the operating speed and output according to the need of the space.  You don’t have the Hot / Cold shock of conventional forced air systems.

As a matter of fact, we can design and build homes that are so energy-efficient we can use these units to provide all the heating and cooling needs – ideal if you want to use solar energy for a net zero home!

       

Flying Saucer = Home With Less Hassles

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At a recent presentation, we were asked to explain what makes Cayuga Country Homes the better choice for a builder.  Among the many reasons, we shared that we design and build homes with less hassles.

Our clients lead busy lives and want to relax and enjoy their time at home, instead of spending time and money fixing and maintaining things.  To help make living in a Cayuga Country Home less hassle, we are constantly looking for and including more durable, longer-lasting products and methods as a standard feature.

Why is this important?  How does it separate us from other builders?  Well, it’s important because it can be a lot more expensive to fix things than to do it right in the first place and it separates us because many builders are simply focused on doing things the lowest cost way possible.  We believe our clients are better served by doing things right the first time.

Of course that is not a flying saucer – it’s an LED Disk light. We have been installing them in stairways as a standard feature for a number of years.  These are designed to last 20 to 35,000 hours, while a regular bulb will last closer to 1,000 hours.  Thats 20 – 35 time longer!  This keeps your stairway safely illuminated for years and avoids the danger of climbing a ladder to change the bulb often.

 

Hot summer = hot roof but the solution is not what you think

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It’s been really hot lately…contrary to conventional wisdom it seems venting your roof won’t help according to this “ask the experts” article in Fine Homebuilding.

For decades, codes and well-intentioned builders put a lot of effort and thought into making sure there is good venting for our roofs/attics.

A few years ago, the code changed from a concept of equal intake (at the soffit area near your gutters) and exhaust (at the roof peak). Nowadays we have more soffit venting than ridge venting and this works better.

However, recent research is showing that venting does not do much to keep you cooler. Roof color and material have more impact than ventilation.

In our experience some roofs, cape cods with living space especially, can benefit from added mechanical ventilation which makes sense because a motorized fan moves a lot more air than other methods.

We also have clients that have had re-roofing done with metal that is vented report lower temperatures and this is most likely because the new surface redirects the heat before it can move through the roof into the attic.

At Cayuga Country Homes, we believe in learning all we can about building science to build the best homes we can for our clients, rather than sticking with outdated ideas.

You can read the original article ask the experts