I have a special place in my heart for manufactured homes.  I am fascinated by the building techniques.  In many respects they are much better than stick built homes.

  There can be a huge advantage when something is built in a humidity and temperature controlled environment.  Sight-built homes are exposed to inches of rain, freezing temperatures, heat waves and wind.  All of this temperature and humidity fluctuation equals expansion and contraction and building materials that fit good one day and have big gaps the next.

  Manufactured homes are built at stable temperatures and humidity.  The sheer volume of lumber that is purchased ensures higher than average quality.  When these homes are assembled they are actually so tight they have to add supplemental ventilation.  These vents artificially pull fresh air into the home. With a sight built home this fresh air infiltration is accomplished automatically through the openings in the framing and cracks around windows.

  One down side to manufactured homes is that there are parts that are lighter and a less durable than sight built homes.  With an eye trained to look for these vulnerable areas, and subsequent maintenance paid, these homes can be supremely efficient and comfortable.