What Is a Modular Home?

What materials are used to build a modular home?

The very same materials that create a site built home are the materials that go into our high quality modular homes. Modular homes are built to state and local building codes, just like a site built home, so they must be made with materials that meet those standards.

For example, a modular home's foundation is made up of wood floor joists attached to a steel frame. We place OSB board on top of the frame, which is a commonly used type of subfloor underlayment. The underlayment is then sanded down so the floor covering placed on top will go on smoothly.

Before floor covering finishes off a home's floor, we cut out holes for plumbing and electric and then install PEX plumbing. Once we're ready to finish the floor, we have all sorts of floor covering options like vinyl, laminate and carpeting.

The exterior and interior walls of a modular home are built with wood frames and high quality insulation, just like a site built home. Insulation is installed and walls are built to your specific area's wind zone standards to ensure the home is built to appropriate levels of strength and durability and to withstand area appropriate weather conditions.

Even better, the interior and exterior walls will never see the potentially damaging effects of poor weather because the home is built entirely inside a climate controlled facility. After walls are placed and secured, we add drywall and begin to finish off the interiors while skilled craftsmen complete exterior finishes.

For the exterior, we use finishing options like vinyl siding, Cemplank® lap siding and board siding. Our roofing options include metal roofing and fiberglass shingles! You can choose different shutter colors and options as well for your exterior. Be sure to ask your home consultant about the different exterior options available for your new modular home.

How long does the modular home building process take?

When you order a new modular home, the process from the time of initial purchase to home delivery typically takes four to six weeks. However, because each modular home we build is unique, the build time for your home could take more or less time.

A home building facility may have a high amount of orders and may not be able to build your home as soon as your home consultant places the home order. Delays may also occur due to state and local government requirements because each home plan must be approved by either a state agency or state approved third party as meeting all local home building codes before the home is built.

The amazing thing about how Clayton Built® modular homes is how quickly the home is constructed in a home building facility. Depending on any upgrades you choose for your new modular home, it typically takes five to six days for the facility to build your new home! The facility build time can also vary by how large the home you've chosen is.

Once the modular home sections are built and arrive at the home site for placement, it generally requires about two weeks to place the home, set it up and install it. The final steps of the installation process include joining the sections of the home together and setting up utilities.

There may be installation delays or schedule changes due to weather, unexpected land preparation issues and availability of local contractors who may be hired to assist with properly setting up your new home.