As the quest for affordable, high-quality, and efficient housing options continues, modular homes are gaining significant attention. Combining the benefits of traditional, site-built homes with the advantages of modern manufacturing processes, these homes are an increasingly popular choice for many homebuyers. But what are modular homes? Let’s delve into an in-depth exploration of these unique dwellings.

What Makes it a Modular Home?

A modular home is 80-90% built in a climate-controlled factory. The sections of the home are then transferred to the home buyer’s property and assembled on-site. Once the modules arrive, they are assembled and integrated onto a permanent foundation, making them a permanent fixture just like a traditionally built home. Because modular homes are also known as prefabricated homes, it’s common for them to have the stereotype of holding a lower quality when compared to stick-built homes. This is far from the truth, as modular homes are constructed under the same safety building codes as site-built homes, and are found to be inspected more often, both by the manufacturer and by our staff of trained representatives. 

Construction Process

The construction process of a modular home differs greatly from that of a traditional, site-built home. Each module is built individually in a factory, where weather conditions don’t impact the construction timeline, thereby ensuring consistency and reducing delays. This process allows for significant quality control, as each module undergoes thorough inspections before leaving the factory.

Once the modules are built and inspected, they are transported to the building site, where they are assembled onto a permanent foundation. This onsite assembly process can usually be completed in a few weeks, significantly reducing the overall construction timeline compared to site-built homes.

Customization and Design

One of the misconceptions about modular homes is that they lack variety and personalization options. On the contrary, modular homes offer a wide array of customization options. Buyers can choose from different layouts, styles, sizes, finishes, and architectural details, allowing them to create a home that suits their individual tastes and lifestyle needs.

Why Buy a Modular Home?

Modular homes are a perfect option for families interested in diving into the homeownership process in a timely and affordable manner. Many opt for a modular home due to the building process being done in a facility, preventing weather delays and uncontrollable elements. Fewer delays allow the home to be completed faster. 

Before the modular home can leave the facility it must first have a final inspection by a third party to pass the requirements of a facility-built home. Safety is the highest concern and is taken very seriously while building a modular home, as this is where families will gather for years to come. 

Once completed, it is almost impossible to tell a modular home from a traditionally built home. The aesthetics are as beautiful as any custom home design and our floorplan selections offer tremendous customization and personal choice.

There are many benefits of choosing to build a modular home, such as:

• Quality construction 
• Reduced building time  
• Quick move-in
• Lower cost 
• Passed inspections and regulations 
• Energy Efficiency

What Do Modular Homes Look Like?

What are modular homes?  They’re the custom home option! Personal preference will dictate what a modular home can look like with all the available options. Modular home design can be ultra-modern, traditional, rustic, or any variation a person desires. Customization is one reason families choose modular homes. Manufacturers work with architects who can adapt floor plans to be what they want. While some people may want a more straightforward home, others may choose lots of options or upgrades to increase the sign. Modular homes can be anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet with lots of room to change and adapt size and space accordingly. 

What is the Difference Between Modular Homes and Manufactured Homes?

Modular homes are often confused with manufactured homes. What is the difference between modular homes vs manufactured homes? The easiest way to distinguish the difference between modular and manufactured homes is permanence. Modular homes are finalized on a permanent foundation at the residence and are not intended to be relocated. 

Manufactured homes must adhere to building codes developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The homes are transported in sections or the entire home and installed. Manufactured homes are built with attached wheels, allowing the home to become mobile and to be transferred to a new location easily. The floor plans used for modern manufactured homes include:

• Single-wide or built in one section
• Double-wide, two sections put together to make a bigger home
• Triple-wide with three sections joined together for a larger property

Today’s manufactured homes are built to extremely high standards and federal and local regulations. These homes are often recognized as very similar to brick-and-mortar homes at first glance. 

Advantages of Building a Modular Home

Modular homes have a great advantage over other homes. These popular homes can be completed more quickly and efficiently because they are fabricated indoors. Workers can spend time year-round putting them together, keeping weather-related delays off the table and construction times on target. Modular homes are high quality with exceptional levels of consistency built in. The materials are resilient to handle the shift from warehouse to land and are structurally sound. They must pass stringent guidelines on both a local and federal level. Finally, modular homes can save people money because there are fewer delays, weather-related issues, and shorter lead times for construction. 

Quality and Durability

Modular homes must adhere to the same local building codes as site-built homes. This means they are designed and built to the same quality and durability standards. Because construction occurs in a controlled environment, modular homes are often built with a higher degree of precision and consistency than traditional homes. This results in a final product that is often more robust and built to last.

Affordability

While the cost of a modular home can vary depending on the size, design, and location, these homes are often more affordable than traditional homes. This is primarily due to efficiencies in the construction process, reduced waste, and the ability to control construction costs within the factory setting.

Environmentally Friendly Choice

Modular homes are environmentally friendly. By design, they help reduce wasted materials and operate more efficiently than site-built homes. Due to rising costs, saving money on heating and cooling is going to be very important for individuals and families which makes building a modular home a more popular and sustainable option. Modular homes are adaptable and can add solar panels, low-energy lighting and even go off-grid. Some other reasons why they may be more environmentally friendly include

• Great water efficiency. Solar-based water heating systems can save a household lots of money. They reduce energy consumption and provide homes with up to 90% of hot water
• Shorter water pipes are needed in a modular home because areas can be grouped which reduces heat loss and increases efficiency
• Healthier homes are more sustainable with a focus on clean and green energy with less use of toxic materials. Some eco-extras can be thrown in like green or even wildflower roofs
• Sustainable materials like recycled materials for internal walls, insulation, and roofs save money. They offer good quality insulation to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, spending less energy heating and cooling it. Bamboo floors and VOC_free paint can hit LEED standards that make them top-of-the-line in efficiency and eco-friendly architectural design

At Green Valley Homes, we have proudly served Southeastern Ohio since 1969, offering families a wide selection of modular homes, single and multifunctional homes, and pre-owned homes. We pride ourselves in our dedication to getting you the quality home you deserve.