The creation of a mobile home is a fascinating process. Many elements have to come together to accomplish the job, and it requires a massive assembly line and a big team of people to pull it off. Since mobile homes are manufactured in a factory, rather than built on site, the building process is more refined and absolutely more efficient. Seeing one built right before your eyes makes for a very interesting experience.
But, since many of us won’t have the chance to see it in person, today we’re going to go step-by-step through the process of building a mobile home. Plus, knowing just how it was designed and built can help you remodel your current mobile home. Win-win!
So how are mobile homes made? We’re here to answer that question today, from design to the finished home you live in!
1 – Design
Mobile homes are designed much like any other house, but with one major difference. The design must be simple and easy to produce many times over. After the design is settled on, materials are ordered (think of that – those orders must be huge!), and construction begins. So back to our original question: how are mobile homes made?
2 – How are mobile homes made? In an assembly line!
That’s right. It’s all done in a factory in a traditional assembly-line style. Mobile homes are not subjected to outdoor elements until they are completely finished. This ensures they will be water-tight and snug inside and out before ever leaving the building.
Certain parts of the home are created “in bulk” beforehand to make things easier. Partition walls, for instance, are ready and waiting to be placed in the house before construction starts. The factory has rooms full of cabinets and countertops ready to go the instant they’re needed. And big rolls of linoleum and carpet line the walls.
3 – The floor
Usually, the first thing that happens is floor construction. The frame is built, the joists are put in, and then plumbing, ducts, and electrical cables are run through the joists. Insulation is placed on top. Then the whole thing is flipped over onto a steel chassis, which looks like a big trailer and is essentially the foundation of the mobile home. (The wheels are removed from the chassis after the mobile home is delivered to the site.) Now the subfloor is laid down and we come to the next step.
4 – Appliances
Hot water heater, furnace, toilet, bathtub…they all come during this phase. The plumbing is also prepped for faucets.
5 – The floor, part two
Here’s where the flooring is laid. Linoleum is a popular material for mobile homes, but sometimes real wood is used. If the mobile home is going to have carpet, that comes later on.
6 – Exterior walls
The exterior walls are built and insulation is installed in another area of the factory. Then they are moved onto the prepared floor by huge sliding cranes. They are nailed to the floor and attached at the corners. Panels are sometimes put on the outside of the house at this stage but often this is done later on in the process.
7 – Interior walls
After that, panels on the interior are installed, nailed directly onto the studs. Sometimes, these are VOG panels – the acronym stands for vinyl over gypsum. Then partition walls are put in.
8 – The roof
Like the walls, the roof is built separate from the rest of the construction and lowered on the house by cranes at this stage. Then roofing is put on, starting with wood panels, underlayment, and finally, shingles.
9 – Doors and windows
Exterior doors and windows are added. Now we come to the exciting part of how mobile homes are made. At this point, it’s starting to look like a real house!
10 – Siding
Now to add some curb appeal. Siding is the defining factor in a house, and a mobile home is no exception. Shutters and trim are also added.
11 – The interior details
Interior doors are installed. If there’s carpet, that’s put down. Trim, curtains, shelving…they all come at this stage too! Then the appliances (stove, refrigerator, microwave) are added – and that’s the last step.
12 – The final product
The finished mobile home is moved outdoors, awaiting transportation to its new location. Finally, the journey is over, and the new mobile home is complete. And best of all? It’s move-in ready.
How are mobile homes made at a glance:
Mobile homes, also known as manufactured homes, are typically constructed in factories using a standardized process. Here are the general steps involved in the construction of a mobile home:
- Design and Planning: The manufacturer determines the layout, features, and specifications of the mobile home based on market demands and customer preferences. This includes the number of rooms, size, floor plan, and any additional options.
- Chassis Construction: The construction starts with building a steel frame chassis, which serves as the foundation and structural support for the entire home. The chassis is engineered to withstand transportation and provide stability.
- Floor Assembly: The floor structure is built on the chassis using wood or steel beams. The floor is usually made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) and is securely fastened to the chassis. Plumbing and electrical systems may also be installed within the floor assembly.
- Wall Construction: The walls of a mobile home are typically built using wooden or metal studs, which are placed at specific intervals. The studs are covered with panels made of gypsum board or other materials. Insulation may be added between the wall studs for energy efficiency.
- Roof Installation: The roof structure, usually constructed with trusses or rafters, is installed on top of the walls. The roofing material, such as asphalt shingles or metal sheets, is then added to provide weather protection.
- Interior Finishing: Once the basic structure is in place, interior components are installed. This includes wiring, plumbing, insulation, drywall, flooring, and fixtures. The walls are painted, and cabinets, doors, and windows are added according to the design specifications.
- Exterior Finishing: The exterior of the mobile home is finished with siding, which can be made of various materials like vinyl, metal, or wood. Skirting may be added around the base of the home for aesthetic purposes and to provide protection.
- Quality Control and Inspection: Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control checks are performed to ensure that all components meet safety standards and comply with relevant building codes. A final inspection is conducted to ensure the mobile home is ready for transportation and installation.
- Transportation and Installation: Once the manufacturing process is complete, the mobile home is transported to its destination site. It is typically delivered on a specialized truck and placed on a foundation or support system. Final assembly, including connecting utilities, is done on-site.
That’s what mobile homes are made of
How are mobile homes made? One step at a time! It’s a detailed, yet surprisingly simple and straightforward process. And it’s completely worth it. The end result is an affordable home for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.
