| Modular homes are made of units called modules, | | | | many architect-designed variations. Many architects |
| shipped to a building site and assembled. They are of | | | | have now begun to design modular homes. |
| different types, structures, designs and budgets. | | | | Manufacturers have learned to use wood and steel |
| The modular home method combines the benefits of | | | | beams in their floor plans, and they have borrowed |
| engineering and shop floor manufacturing to produce | | | | from both classical and contemporary designs to give |
| high quality homes. Compared to traditional, stick-built | | | | their homes beautiful exteriors. Modular homes today |
| homes, the method yields considerable savings in | | | | are embellished by Cathedral ceilings, reversed gables |
| time, cost, waste generation, etc. | | | | and other exciting designs. |
| As modular home dealer Andrew Gianino points out, | | | | Many manufacturers allow the customer to |
| modular homes have the advantages of a trained | | | | custom-design their own modular homes. Computer |
| and experienced work force, large and sophisticated | | | | aided design (CAD) has made it possible to prepare |
| production machinery, precision jig assembly, | | | | custom floor plans accurately. Manufacturers routinely |
| high-quality kiln-dried lumber, and construction done | | | | customize the modular homes according to a |
| indoors in climate-protected facilities. There is | | | | customer's choice. Luxury features like skylights, |
| adherence to local building codes, superior energy | | | | central vacuum cleaning, whirlpool tubs, and bay and |
| efficiency, and strict quality control systems. | | | | bow windows are added on by designers. |
| As modular homes first became popular in the 1060s, | | | | Modular homes today can be built to any specification |
| they were considered low-quality, affordable | | | | or size. From a one-and-a-half split level ranch to a |
| substitutes for stick-built homes. But today they are | | | | grand 4000 sq. ft. luxury condo, the modular industry |
| available in very high-quality and varying, luxurious and | | | | has a wide range of options. Amenities like |
| creative designs. | | | | granite-topped kitchen counter tops and hardwood |
| All manufacturers have some standard and traditional | | | | floors are also available. In sum, modular-built houses |
| designs. But they also supplement these designs with | | | | can be every bit as luxurious as stick-built houses. |