Has anyone seen any thermal IR images of these larger modular homes?  As a builder, we are interested in exploring this option for its cost and time saving potential, but have some doubts about the ability to truly get a tight envelope.  

Maybe just a matter of semantics but here in the US mobile homes and modular homes are 2 different things.

A modular home is a factory built home that is delivered on a truck in pieces, often 4 or more. Some, once complete, are difficult to differentiate from a site built home.

A mobile home is a trailer. A double wide is 2 trailers.

Matt G,

You got that right.  Modular homes are becoming more respectable every day.  I have toured several and like what I see.  Of course, they may not compare with SIPS and ICF for energy savings.

"Of course, they may not compare with SIPS and ICF for energy savings."

Not all of them, true, but one of the few certified Passive Houses" in the US is a modular built by Prefered Homes in New Hampshire. Keiser Home in Maine is marketing some "zero energy homes" designed by the Achitectural firm of Kaplan Thompson. Point is, it can be done.

Bob,

I agree that some modular companies are trying to reduce energy bills.  Some of the latest modular homes I saw at the IBS trade show in Orlando recently had switched from using fiberglass to spray foam.  I think this will make the homes much more comfortabe and lessen energy bills. 

Posted By Matt G on 29 Jan 2011 10:19 AM
Maybe just a matter of semantics but here in the US mobile homes and modular homes are 2 different things.

A modular home is a factory built home that is delivered on a truck in pieces, often 4 or more. Some, once complete, are difficult to differentiate from a site built home.

A mobile home is a trailer. A double wide is 2 trailers.

Well Matt, I'd like to clarify one misconception that, unfortunaly exists when we talk about factory built homes.

Prior to 1976, many companies built "Mobile Homes" which were build on a steel frame with wheels to be towed to their final resting spot, usually in a "land leased" community that the media likes to refer to as "trailers" in a "trailer park".  Many had 2 x 2s for wall studs and many did not really do the job.

In 1976, your gummint instituted the HUD Code for factory built homes.  This Code did improve the quality of the homes and the knowledgeable in the industry refered to them as "Manufactured Homes" or "Factory Built Homes".  The media still refered to them a "Trailers" in a "Trailer Park" lived in by "Trailer Trash"!

Modular Homes are also factory built but the distinction is that they are built to the UCC code for the area where they are to be delivered rather than the HUD code.  Some Modular homes are very similar to Manufactured homes other than the code to which they are built and are often built on the same assembly line in the factory.  Most modular homes are built on a wood frame and transported on a flat-bed trailer to their site.  Some have steel frames just like the manufactured homes of today.  Most now have 2x6 exterior wall studs and 2x4 interior studs.  Many are quite elegant, espicially when compared to those of yester year.

I hope that helps!

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Has anyone seen large images of modular homes? I want to build my dream house with quality standard. Modular homes manufacturer use computerized equipments.

modular homes

I don't mind if walls or trusses or anything else are constructed off-site. I would expect quality to be better than the same design built on-site - a controlled environment with specialized tools, jigs and testing equipment should be better.

I believe that one of the issues with modulars, especially "green" modulars is in the site work - setting, air sealing etc. I've seen excellent high R designs, but it all doesn't mean much if the site crew doesn't seal the joints. It requires a huge change in tactics for the typical mod builder.