Prefabricated Homes
Canadian factory-built housing is a popular alternative to site built
homes, combining quality Canadian wood products, solid construction with
great design and exceptional value. These homes can be manufactured to
the R-2000 standard – the highest standard for energy performance in Canada
–and often come with comprehensive manufacturers’ warranties. There are
several factory built systems to choose from, depending on the buyers’
or builders’ needs and preferences:
Modular Homes
Modular homes are built in three-dimensional modules, offering a great
deal of design flexibility. Modules can be combined to make one-, two-
or three-storey homes and can also be used for multi-family complex construction.
When the modules arrive at the building site, they are ready for assembly
on the foundation. Insulation, air/vapour barriers, plumbing, wiring,
siding and other construction details are mostly completed in addition
to some of the interior finishing, including drywall, trim, flooring and
cabinets. Completion of a modular home on site may take a builder a couple
of weeks or more, depending on the size, style and features of the home.
Custom upgrades such as brick siding and some hard surface flooring are
best done on site.
Manufactured homes
Manufactured homes provide the most complete option for houses built in
the factory. These homes are often ready for move-in the same day or a
few days after arrival on site. Due to their unique structural design,
manufactured homes can be installed on surface foundations, such as piers
and can also be relocated. Built in one or two sections, manufactured
homes are available in many designs and layouts, with a wide selection
of standard and customized features.
Panelized homes
Panelized homes consist of pre-fabricated wall sections that can reduce
on-site construction time. The panels can be partially or fully completed,
with windows, doors and siding often pre-installed. For pre-engineered
homes, the major building components are prepared in the factory and shipped
to the building site as a package ready for assembly—including framing
materials, doors, windows, roofing, siding, interior wall partitions and
subflooring. The pre-engineered building system emphasizes precision design
and pre-cutting and can be used for virtually any home design, from standard
cottage plans to highly customized dream homes.
For more information on Canadian factory built homes, please refer to
the Canadian Manufactured
Housing Institute, QWEB , BC Wood, or contact Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation.