Confused over the difference between modular and manufactured homes? How about panelized or component manufacturers? We know it's confusing and with so many new designs and industry innovations often the lines cross. Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association supports both the manufactured and modular housing industry. Here are the differences among the 7 segments of industrialized manufactured housing industry today.

Modular Home Manufacturers - There are about 200 modular home manufacturers that make assembled sections of housing inside factories. Most modular units are made in complete, box like sections, and multiple-section units and stack-on units are common. Modulars are the strongest of all frame homes built, and are 95% complete when they leave the factory. They are sold direct or through local builders or builder/dealers. During 2001 about 166,000 modular homes and apartments were sold.

HUD-Code Home Manufacturers - Ever since the passage in 1976 of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Manufactured Home Construction & Safety Standards (HUD-Code), exterior frame construction of mobile units has been on par with site-built homes, and HUD-Code homes are now generally safer dwellings. HUD-Code homes are made by approximately 90 companies operating about 350 factories using techniques similar to modular methods but with generally lighter construction and always with a metal chassis as part of the floor system. It is believed that double-section HUD-Code homes which look like site-built homes will account for most low-cost housing in the future. HUD-Code homes are sold through dealers on display lots or from model homes in subdivisions. In 2005 about 150,000 HUD-code homes were sold, and over 75%f of those were double or multi-section units.

Panelized Home Manufacturers - The panelized home manufacturers are the biggest and most diverse segment of U.S. housing. They include 1) Hundreds of conventional panelizers who sell their packaged homes through builders and builder-dealers; 2) Log home builders, over 200 strong, who sell direct or through dealers; 3) The mass merchandiser chains and local lumber yards and home centers who perform all functions of a package home producer; 4) Producers of dome homes and other alternative systems including light-gage steel, lightweight concrete, foam-core panels, foam blocks - plus component first who cross over into package homes. In 2005 the estimated 3,500 panelizers collectively built about 1.377 million units, almost equaling the production builders.

Production Builders - These companies usually build single-family homes and low-rise apartment buildings in subdivisions near major metropolitan centers. More than 95% of the nation's 7,000 large production builders use factory-fabricated roof trusses. Use of other factory-made components, such as floor trusses and wall panels, is growing rapidly because of soaring site labor and construction loan costs. Some of the biggest production builders operate their own component factories. However, all production builders sell their homes directly to end buyers rather than through builder/dealer networks, which distinguishes them from panelized home manufacturers. In 2005, production builders sold about 1.293 million units.

Component Manufacturers - These are independent companies that operate factories and make components mostly for sale to production builders. Component manufacturers almost invariably make roof trusses, floor trusses, produce wall panels and machine and pre-hung doors. They also make gable ends, corners, tees, stair systems, cupolas, agri-buildings, garages, metal-plate connected rough openings for windows and doors, and other components. There are approximately 2,200 component manufacturers in the U.S.

Special Unit Manufacturers - Special unit manufacturers are in-plant builders of commercial structures of all types. There are about 170 of these companies who build an average of about 1,400 structures per year. They sell direct or through dealers and also lease their units. Their output, usually built to more stringent commercial building codes includes classrooms, offices, banks, hospitals, construction offices, equipment shelters, restaurants, kiosks, jails, airport terminals, strip shopping centers and dozens of other commercial buildings. This industry is growing fast as owners and investors discover the speed, cost and quality advantages of specifying modular commercial structures. It must be remembers that all the previously mentioned housing producers also build commercial buildings. Total output of commercial structures by both in-plant special unit and housing companies was estimated at 22,000 units in 2001.

Mobile/Modular/Panelized Retailers - Builders and retailers for HUD-Code homes, modular homes and panelized homes account for sales of 56% of all housing. Sometimes called "builder-retailer" for modular and panelized homes, they may sell for one or several manufacturers. Normally they sell homes only in a given territory, and it is their responsibility to prepare the site, do foundation and utility work, and supervise completion work on the homes after delivery. Most HUD-Code home retailers sell units from display lots, communities or both. A growing trend among HUD-Code home retailer is to sell models in conventional real estate subdivisions.