Manufactured Misconceptions: Top 3 Myths About Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes have changed a lot in the last several decades. With these changes have come some lingering misunderstandings about their quality, aesthetic appeal, and energy efficient capabilities.

At Champion Homes, we’re proud to build high-quality, beautiful manufactured homes that offer many energy efficient features. To help set the record straight, we’re diving into three of the most common myths about these homes.

Myth #1: “Manufactured homes are low quality.”

One of the most common misconceptions about manufactured homes is related to quality. Since 1976, manufactured homes have been built according to the exacting requirements of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code.

These are the official federal safety and construction standards for the structural design, fire safety, durability, and energy efficiency of manufactured homes. A red certification label is displayed on the exterior of each transportable section for proof of being built to the code.

Champion’s manufactured homes are professionally designed, engineered, and built by craftsmen to meet the rigorous HUD code. We provide high quality homes through:

• Controlled-environment construction. Manufactured homes are built in a controlled indoor environment, which means materials aren’t exposed to adverse weather conditions.

• Quality control and inspection processes. Our homes are inspected throughout the construction process to ensure our rigorous quality standards are met. The homes also undergo third-party inspections, adding an extra layer of accountability to check that the components meet or exceed industry standards before they’re delivered to the site.

• Specialized construction roles. Workers in offsite construction facilities specialize in specific tasks. This allows them to become highly skilled and efficient in their roles, helping to yield fewer mistakes and promoting high-quality building techniques.

• Careful vendor selection. From sturdy roofing to robust framing, every component is selected to enhance our homes’ longevity and comfort. We select vendors who provide high-quality materials and share similar values of sustainability and reliability. This careful selection process ensures that the final product is constructed using superior components, contributing to the overall quality and longevity of our homes.

• Showcasing brands you can trust. In addition to our own trusted name, you’ll see many others in our homes, including Whirlpool®, Daltile®, Broan®, Georgia-Pacific®, and more.
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Myth #2: “Manufactured homes aren’t attractive.”

Seeing is believing. Producing a “wow” factor with our home designs is what we strive for. We believe manufactured homes should be just as aesthetically pleasing as any other type of home. In fact, it’s not uncommon for homebuyers to see pictures of our models and be surprised they’re built in a factory.

You’ll love our award-winning designs, which have been recognized with the prestigious Excellence in Manufactured Housing Award for ten consecutive years. With gorgeous kitchens, stunning entertainment areas, and one-of-a-kind primary bathrooms, our homes can offer amenities you’d expect from site-built homes.

Throughout the design process, we take the final location of the homes into careful consideration. We specialize in creating regional designs that reflect the unique tastes of the geographic area, and you can often choose from different opportunities for customization throughout the home.

Myth #3: “Manufactured homes can’t be energy efficient.”

It’s a frequent misconception that manufactured homes don’t have the capacity to be energy efficient. But for our homes, the opposite is true! Every Champion home has an optional upgrade available to be built as an ENERGY STAR® certified home.

That means all 48 of our manufacturing facilities offer homes built to the advanced energy efficiency requirements of the ENERGY STAR Certification program for manufactured homes issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA).

Homeowners save an average of $250 a year in energy bills with an ENERGY STAR home, and ENERGY STAR homes are 20% more energy efficient than typical new homes. That’s an average reduction of greenhouse gases by 3,287 lbs. on average per year — which is the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by planting 39 trees.

All Champion ENERGY STAR homes have:

• High-performance insulation in the walls, floors, and ceilings

• Energy efficient windows and doors

• Programmable thermostats

• High-quality ductwork in the floors and attics

These homes can also include:

• High-efficiency heating, cooling, and water heater equipment

• High-efficiency lighting, water fixtures, and appliances

Learn more about Champion manufactured homes

Did we help clarify any of your manufactured misunderstandings? We hope so! We’re committed to building durable, beautiful homes that offer robust energy efficient features. For more information about our homes, start by finding the best Champion home for you, or locate a Champion retailer in your area.