If you plan on buying a manufactured home, you’re likely looking into foundation options. You need to figure out what type of foundation you’re going to put the house on.
There are many options that you can consider. Some of them are going to be more practical than others, though.
If you’re on a budget, you’ll likely be looking into crawl space foundations and pier and beam foundations. These foundations can work nicely, but which one is better?
Continue reading to get all of the information that you need to know about both crawl space foundations and pier and beam foundations. When all is said and done, you can make your final decision with confidence.
What Is a Crawl Space Foundation?
A crawl space foundation is made of an excavated floor. To get this to work, concrete footers need to be built and placed in the soil to act as anchors.
The manufactured home sits on a perimeter wall and gets supported by piers that are placed at specific points. You’ll have an open space underneath the home where you can crawl and check the pipes and other things.
Crawl space foundations are very affordable, but they’re a bit more expensive than pier and beam foundations. It doesn’t take too long to install a crawl space foundation, but it isn’t as fast as pier and beam foundations.
These foundations don’t work well in areas that deal with heavy flooding. Also, having a crawl space foundation is risky in areas that deal with hurricanes regularly.
What Is a Pier and Beam Foundation?
A pier and beam foundation uses anchors that are placed in the ground. These anchors hold your home down and protect it from issues with the wind.
The anchors are designed to go into the ground, and then steel straps are meant to be attached to them. You then attach the steel straps to the steel I-beam section of your home.
Outriggers are then welded to the I-beams to make things even stronger. This is a very sturdy type of foundation that is safe to use.
One of the best aspects of this type of foundation is that it’s affordable. This is the most cost-effective foundation that you can find for manufactured homes.
This type of foundation takes less time to install than other types of foundations, too. So it’s likely one of the best choices that you can make.
To add to this, you can use a pier and beam foundation in many situations. It can be used in areas with heavy frost as well as areas that have flooding issues.
Which Option Is Better?
The best option will depend on what you’re looking for. Some people think that having a crawl space is convenient.
It can be in certain ways, but it can also be problematic. Crawl spaces can have issues with moisture, and this can lead to problems with mold.
You might need to pay extra to install a vapor barrier to protect your manufactured home. Otherwise, you could have structural damage to deal with down the line.
It’s wise to consider whether a pier and beam setup would be more practical. Pier and beam foundations are affordable, safe, and fast to install.
Should You Consider Other Options?
There are other options out there that you can look into. There are four basic common manufactured home foundation styles to pick from.
You’ve already learned about two of the most common types. The other options to consider are concrete slab foundations and basement foundations.
Concrete slab foundations are good, and they don’t cost too much cash overall. They can even be installed rather fast, and that makes them an excellent choice if you’re in a hurry.
Sadly, these foundations won’t work if your property is sloped. So it might not be a good choice for everyone.
Basement foundations work a lot like crawl space foundations, but they’re much more expensive to make. It requires more materials and labor to get a basement foundation for your manufactured home.
It’s great to have a basement for storage purposes, though. Also, it’ll make a handy storm shelter when you need one.
Is a Manufactured Home Right For You?
Living in a manufactured home is something that can help you and your family immensely. These homes are affordable, and they can be placed on vacant lots.
Often, it’s much easier to buy a plot of land and have a manufactured home put on it. Choosing to do this can save you thousands of dollars.
It’s true that manufactured homes aren’t as durable as traditional homes. Regardless, these houses can last for many decades.
On average, manufactured homes are said to last close to 56 years. If you take care of your home, it could even last forever.
If you’re on a budget, you can go with a manufactured home and choose a pier and beam foundation for the property. This is the most affordable solution to finding a home for your family.
Going with a manufactured home instead of living in an apartment or a trailer will be appealing. There are many options when buying these homes, and you should be able to find a home that will suit your family’s needs.
Don’t hesitate to buy a manufactured home if you’d like to. It can be a great experience.
Final Thoughts
You’ve learned about both crawl spaces and pier and beam foundations. It’s up to you to decide which foundation style you want to go with.
Some might say that pier and beam foundations are better than crawl space foundations. It just comes down to preference and what you want.
Pier and beam foundations are the most common foundations that people use for manufactured homes. They’re also safe to use in many situations.
Crawl spaces are also common, and they can be helpful. It is nice to have a spot where you can easily access pipes and vents.
Take the time to consider the other foundation types as well. For some, it might be more appealing to have a basement.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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