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Guide to Foundation and Support Systems for Manufactured Homes FULL TEXT:
NOTE: Adobe Reader is required to download, view, and/or print PDF files. If your computer does not have this software, you must first download Adobe Reader, and follow the installation instructions before accessing PDF files from PATH's Web site. March 2002, 112 pages For several decades, manufactured homes built to the preemptive Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards have been the nation's foremost source of unsubsidized affordable housing. Manufactured homes were often distinguished from their site-built counterparts in the way they were secured to the ground--the majority held in place by pier and anchor systems. Within the past five years, the manufactured housing industry has experienced an evolution, and the rate of change appears to be accelerating. Sales of multisection homes have well outpaced single section designs, the popularity of land/home financing continues to grow, the buyer demographics are diversifying, and new markets are opening to manufactured homes, particularly in urban infill and higher density areas. The changes in the manufactured housing market, the evolution of the industry itself and the diversification of the potential customers for manufactured homes are ushering in a host of innovations and changes to the industry's core product. No area is more affected by these changes than the methods for supporting and fastening the home to the ground. This guide serves several functions. First, it helps decision makers in forming a strategy for sorting through foundation and support system alternatives and describes factors that affect the design and construction process. Second, it exposes the manufactured housing industry, buyers of manufactured homes and others interested in HUD-code housing to some of the more popular and practical ways of designing and installing manufactured home foundation or support systems. These designs are springboards for exploring alternative design approaches and solutions. Lastly, through the use of case studies, the guide examines how some Practitioners are already pursuing new foundation and support system methods, hinting at the wealth and diversity of foundation solutions yet to come. Content updated on 3/24/2006 |
