A modular home refers to a prefabricated house that is made inside a factory in varying modules and sections after which it is taken to the site to be fixed to a permanent foundation.
This form of construction has gained traction becoming quite popular in recent times. Mobile homes entail single and double-wide homes and many do not know about the variation between the two.
Knowing the distinction is quite critical to help you decide accordingly about the type of modular home that you want. This article elucidates more about these differences.
Unit and Size
A single-wide entails one unit measuring around 18 feet wide and 90 feet long, but these dimensions are never uniform, and they can vary from time to time.
Single or Double Wide?
It is much compact and this helps in its transportation as one piece. More so, it is narrower compared to a double-wide which is essentially wider ranging between 20 feet wide and 90 feet long. In stark contrast to its aforementioned counterpart, a double-wide involves two single-wide units which are assembled together on the building site. It gives you more square footage in comparison to the single–wide. Ideally, a single-wide is ideal for people desiring some small living space such as sole individuals or young and small families. On the other hand, double-wide is perfect for bigger families who need more space in their home.
Layout and Design
Due to its limited space by design, a single-wide has no option but to have the rooms constructed in a very linear fashion due to the space constrains. The rooms are therefore more likely to be laid out in conformity to its narrow nature thus they can be predominantly found arranged in a straight line compared to the double-wide where the rooms can be arranged in varying ways due to the availability of more space. As the double-wide is wider, it allows for more variety and flexibility, and it helps in the attainment of certain options that cannot be implemented in a single-wide. An example is flooring options where the choices are more in a double-wide house due to their spacious structure. More so, in a single-wide home, the living space is quite central whereas the bathrooms and the bedrooms are often aligned on one side whereas a double-wide could allow for more bathrooms and bedrooms distinctly placed in different wings due to the availability of more space as the wide structure allows these concepts and designs to be executed easily.
Pricing
Single-wide mobile homes are cheaper as they are constructed in a very simple and rudimentary fashion. Their small size also makes them less pricey than double-size modular homes, which are more expensive by virtue of being wider, spacious, and more sophisticated in terms of design and layout. This not only relates to the purchase price as furnished from the onset but also to the maintenance costs, which are much higher in double-size homes primarily because it is bigger and due to its additional features which require one to expend more towards maintaining them.
Conveyance
As depicted above, single-wide modular homes entail one unit and this implies that transportation to the site is quite simple and straightforward compared to the double-wide manufactured homes which entail two single-wide units rendering the transportation more complex and involving more attention to detail. Further, the intricate nature of transportation of double-size homes makes it more expensive than the single-wide modular homes which is more cost-effective.
Assembly
While at the building site, the affixing and assembly of a single-wide home to the permanent foundation is always quite easy and seamless as it is just a single unit. However, in a double-wide home, the two units involved make the assembly a little bit complex, tasking and labor-intensive. The extra assembly steps ultimately make the process more expensive than in a single-wide modular home.
Customization
Simply, double-wide homes have more customization possibilities than single-wide homes. This allows for more bespoke layouts, more floor plans and options whilst also allowing for more interior design choices and alternatives than in single-wide homes where these types of optional features are quite limited.
The foregoing helps you to comprehend the differences sufficiently consequently enabling you to make a sound decision on the type of modular home you want premised on your dedicated budget, needs and most importantly your personal preference. This article therefore ensures that you stand amply guided as you settle for your desired modular home.