Good foundation design and construction are important elements of quality manufactured housing. Though many options exist, there has not been a great deal of guidance available to help buyers and developers select the best choice for their particular circumstances. To help fill this void, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) and HUD Office of Policy Development and Research recently published the "Guide to Foundation and Support Systems for Manufactured Homes." The Guide is the first to consider and compare major foundation alternatives in use across the country, and to provide proven design and installation practices for all types of foundations. Factors to Consider When Selecting a Foundation Site and environmental conditions vary from region to region and significantly impact housing durability. Therefore, a type of foundation that works well in one part of the country may not be suitable in another. The first section of the Guide explores site conditions, major design factors, and basic design practices that impact foundation selection. For example, the Guide recommends that foundations in termite prone areas be designed and constructed so that untreated wood components do not come in contact with the ground. Other environmental conditions affecting foundation design and construction covered in the chapter include:
What Type of Foundation Works Best? The Guide examines four classes of non-proprietary foundation systems: pier and ground anchor support systems, crawl space systems, slabs-on-grade, and basements. These types are considered to be 'in the public domain' and can be constructed by any qualified contractor using materials available from most building suppliers. The Guide discusses at length the design and construction process for each foundation. In addition, it provides information about cost, installation time, and required site conditions - key factors for builders and buyers weighing different types of foundations for manufactured housing. Information presented on each type of foundation is summarized in the table called Characteristics of Non-Proprietary Foundation Systems. Cost information is presented on a relative basis. Case studies in the report provide in-depth information about builders' experiences with the different types of foundations. Characteristics of Non-Proprietary Foundation Systems
Innovations in Manufactured Housing and Foundations The final section of the Guide looks at proprietary foundation systems. Each product in this section is manufactured by a company that owns some protectable interest in the design, and some of these are patented. The number of manufacturers in this industry has engendered a tremendous spirit of competition and led to numerous innovations. Case studies for these foundation and support systems are also included. Looking Forward The changes in the manufactured housing market, the evolution of the
industry itself, and the diversification of the potential customers
for manufactured homes are ushering in a host of innovations and changes
to the industry's core products. No area is more affected by these changes
than the methods for supporting and fastening the home to the ground.
This comprehensive publication serves as a go-to source for foundation
and support systems information, and fosters wider dissemination of
good ideas and 'out of the box' thinking that has become a hallmark
of the manufactured housing industry. By providing information on an
extended range of systems and design options, it offers a variety of
choices, rather than serving up a 'single-best' solution. |
