Building a new family home requires careful planning. With a large number of options for your project, it helps to know what types of homes thrive in your local environment. If your area sees frequent storms and wind, choosing a modular home may be the right decision for you.
A modular home is safe in bad weather due to various factors. Learn why modular homes can survive extreme conditions throughout the year with Design. Build. Modular.
Modular Homes Are Permanent Structures
There is a common misconception about modular homes. While some might think these are mobile homes, modular homes are lasting structures with permanent foundations.
Modular homes will be safe in minor storms because they are secured to the ground. Unless there is severe flooding — which puts any home at risk — modular homes can handle regular rainfall and winds without an issue. This is not the case for mobile homes with temporary foundations and skirting.
There Are Strict Building Codes for Modular Homes
Modular homes and site-built homes have a few things in common. Notably, they follow identical standards for building codes. Builders create modular homes to withstand an earthquake and resist the effects of hurricanes.
These structures are made inside factories, so the materials that go into your home reside in a controlled environment with little moisture. Modular homes are built to be safe in case of a tornado or storm, and inspectors check surfaces for structural soundness before shipping.
Some Modular Homes Have Reinforced Frames
Modular home builders engineer structures to survive shipping demands. Most modular homes are equipped with stronger supports that they can transport using flatbeds.
To load and unload a modular home from a flatbed, the designer must account for vibrations. This might include adding triple-pane windows or reinforced drywall sections. Most modular homes are also constructed with adhesives and rugged hardware for maximum security.
Choose Design. Build. Modular. for Home Building Services
Design. Build. Modular. constructs homes quickly in parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Craft your own living space from the ground up with the help of our experts. Reach out to us today for more information about our modular home design and installation process.
FAQs
Modular Homes are Permanent Structures
How safe are modular homes in storms? ›
Modular homes will be safe in minor storms because they are secured to the ground. Unless there is severe flooding — which puts any home at risk — modular homes can handle regular rainfall and winds without an issue.
What do you do in a modular home during a tornado? ›
If you're inside your manufactured home or mobile home when a tornado warning is issued, leave it immediately. Even if you use manufactured homes tie-downs to secure your home, it can be overturned by a tornado. An underground shelter is almost always the safest place to be during severe storms.
How do modular homes do in a hurricane? ›
Manufacturers are also required to use products that protect the home from mold, corrosion, insect infestations, and decay. So, if you're wondering if modular homes are safe in a hurricane, the answer is yes. In fact, they may be safer than site-built homes.
How safe are manufactured homes in a tornado? ›
Tornadoes can have winds in excess of 200 miles-per-hour in extreme cases. Current building codes and practices, for either manufactured homes or site-built homes, are not designed to withstand winds in excess of 110 miles-per-hour.
What are four drawbacks of modular homes? ›
Of course, modular houses have their downsides. These include less customization capabilities than stick-built homes. The cost of the land and construction of the home may be higher than some people can afford, land restrictions, and perceive quality issues. Modular homes may also have more a complicated loan process.
What are the risks of modular housing? ›
One of the primary risks associated with modular construction is transportation. Modules are often damaged during transportation due to accidents, poor weather conditions or improper handling.
Where is the safest place in a manufactured home during a tornado? ›
Go to an enclosed, central spot on the lowest floor possible. Interior stairwells are often a good place to wait out the storm. Avoid elevators during the storm because you might become trapped if the power fails. While it's not entirely true, it seems as if mobile home parks are a magnet for tornadoes.
What wind speed can a mobile home withstand? ›
Mobile and manufactured homes are made and anchored based on the intensity of wind in the particular Wind Zones. Homes made for Wind Zone III are built to withstand wind gusts of around 130 mph. Homes made for Wind Zone II are built to withstand gusts of about 120 mph.
How to tornado proof a mobile home? ›
Secure Tornado Shelter Options for Mobile Homes
Underground Storm Shelters: One option for tornadoes is an underground storm shelter. Because they are installed below the ground they offer natural protection from wind and flying debris, and they typically have reinforced doors.
The current state of the market influences the value of your modular home. In a seller's market, your home will often maintain its high value. However, if the market shifts to a buyer's market, your home may lose value as prospective buyers become less willing to pay your asking price.
Can you hurricane-proof a manufactured home? ›
Preventing wind and water from entering your mobile home is one of the most important ways to make your home more hurricane-resistant. When strong winds blow inside a manufactured home, they create pressure that can cause the roof to blow off. Investing in hurricane-proof windows is the most ideal option.
Is it possible for tiny houses to be safe and sturdy against the extreme weather? ›
Are tiny houses safe during stormy weather conditions? If your tiny home has proper weatherproofing, the structure is safe from lightning storms and thunder.
Are modular homes safe in storms? ›
They are constructed with the same materials and techniques used in traditional stick-built homes, including wood framing, steel reinforcements, and other durable materials. This means that modular homes can provide a great deal of protection from wind, rain, snow, and other natural disasters.
Is it better to be in a car or mobile home during a tornado? ›
If you live in a mobile home older than 1976, go to a nearby building, preferably one with a basem*nt. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert and shield your head with your hands. 4. The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle.
What homes are tornado proof? ›
Homes built with insulated concrete forms (ICF), like Fox Blocks, maintain their integrity during the high winds of a tornado. Insulating concrete forms can withstand winds of over 200 mph.
Is it safe to stay in a manufactured home during a hurricane? ›
safe? The short answer is, it depends which mobile homes you are talking about. The manufactured homes industry has maintained that manufactured homes built to the standards of the late 90s are just as safe as “stick built” housing. The disasters of a quadruple hurricane season have put this question to the test.
What is the life expectancy of a modular home? ›
The short answer is that modular homes can last just as long as traditional site-built homes, if not longer. In fact, many modular homes come with warranties of up to 50 years. The key to a modular home's longevity lies in its construction process and the materials used.
How high of wind can a mobile home withstand? ›
Wind Zone I
This wind zone covers most parts of the United States. It is most common in the interior parts of the country where hurricanes are rare. This is why wind zone I is the most lenient area where you can enjoy manufactured home living. This zone is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.
