What is the difference between a manufactured home and a mobile home?
The term Mobile Homes is often used interchangeably with the term Manufactured Homes but in fact they mean quite different things. Mobile Homes refers to homes built prior to 1976 when the HUD code governing building standards for factory-built homes was instituted, greatly improving quality standards. Homes built from that year on should, technically, no longer be referred to as Mobile Homes but instead are Manufactured Homes and are built to a higher standard of quality than yesterday’s “Mobile Homes” and, in fact, often feature better quality construction than site-built homes. But, by whatever name, today’s factory-built homes are a great option for the most home for your dollar! The term Mobile Home is also used when people refer to homes that have been manufactured to be pulled around by large pick up tracks or “fifth wheels.” These units are not built to HUD specifications, and are constructed with a high amount of adhesives to increase their rigidity during frequent transport.
A Manufactured Home is constructed in a climate-controlled factory and must be built by a strict code from the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code) of July 1, 1976. A Manufactured Home can be transported in one or more sections, is built on a permanent chassis, and has the option to be built with or without a permanent foundation. A mobile home was a factory assembled home that was constructed before the July 1st, 1976 HUD code came into effect. It is a term used ONLY for these homes that fall into this category and not to be used for any home built after July 1, 1976.
