Have you been looking into alternative housing lately? Do you want to steer away from traditional stick-built homes? If you are researching your next home purchase, you have probably come across terminologies such as manufactured homes, prefab homes, mobile homes, or even tiny prefab homes. Oftentimes, these terms are used interchangeably and can cause confusion. In this article, we will shed some light on the differences and similarities between a mobile vs manufactured home.
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Are Mobile and Manufactured Homes the Same?
No. Modern mobile and manufactured homes are not the same. However, before 1974, they were practically the same. Back then, manufactured homes were referred to as mobile homes. Factory-built trailer homes were a popular form of mobile housing. These are towable campers designed to move from one place to another. In an effort to ensure that these types of houses were safe for the public, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stepped in to set the safety standards that these houses must adhere to. These regulations set standards for things like fire resistance, energy efficiency, and durability.
This is where the distinction between the two was made clear by the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Act. Mobile homes built after 1976 were legally referred to as manufactured homes. In other words, new mobile homes are manufactured homes.
What is a Mobile Home?
Mobile homes have a long history. In the early 1900s, mobile homes became a popular alternative to traditional houses. These types of homes provide the perfect shelter for those who need to relocate constantly. These homes resemble trailer houses or campers that can be towed by a vehicle. They were generally built on steel beams, a steel chassis, or a metal frame and could be set down on concrete or wooden blocks. Back then, building standards were not regulated, and mobile homes were not built to meet any building code. This all changed in 1976.
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What is a Manufactured Home?
Although mobile homes and manufactured homes have similarities, modern manufactured homes are far different from mobile homes of the past. Unlike a traditional home, a manufactured home is built off-site according to the HUD code. They are constructed in a climate-controlled factory. By being built in a controlled environment, the construction of manufactured homes is not delayed by uncontrollable factors, such as weather. This means that manufactured homes can be built quickly and consistently at lower costs. These quality-built houses are available in three sizes: single, double, and triple-wide sections.
Once the manufactured home is completed in the factory, it will then be delivered on-site and placed on a permanent foundation. After being set, manufactured homes are usually not moved again. Although relocation is possible, it will come with additional expenses. Completed manufactured homes look similar to traditional site-built homes, with the same basic functionalities and custom options. Manufactured home construction has come a long way. Just like for on-site homes, builders today offer a number of floor plans and add-ons that allow you to include features like porches and decks.
What’s the Difference Between a Mobile Home and a Manufactured Home?
In a nutshell, the difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home is when they were built. A factory-built home that was constructed before June 1976 is a mobile home. A factory-built home that was constructed after that is a manufactured home.
A notable difference between the two is their construction method. According to federal construction codes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, manufactured homes are built with advanced engineering. Mobile homes, on the other hand, were not. Because of this, mobile homes have become obsolete and are replaced with the more robust and well-built manufactured homes of today.
Although it is clear that these mobile homes and manufactured homes are not the same, the terms are still used interchangeably by many people.
Final Thoughts
The key difference between mobile homes and manufactured homes are the standards to which they were built, when they were built, and their construction methods. The original mobile homes are now obsolete as they do not meet building standards. The mobile homes that do meet these standards, the HUD code, are legally referred to as manufactured homes. It is important to understand these key differences when you are on the market for pre-built homes.
The manufactured housing industry is booming. You can also check out prefab vs. modular homes, shipping container homes, and prefab tiny homes. These types of housing are great affordable alternatives that are growing in popularity. You can follow our Facebook Page for content on alternative housing. Don’t forget to follow our Instagram Page for creative ideas and home design options for these interesting houses called barndominiums!
