Terms and Definitions

Cape Cod (1-1/2 story) Modular Homes

Champion builds Cape Cod style modular homes in most regions of the U.S. When the modules are installed on-site, the roof system is hinged to a 10/12 or 12/12 roof pitch to form a large unfinished second floor living space. Local contractors can be used to finish off the space to meet the homeowner’s needs at the time of the build or at a future date.

Endwall Entry vs. Sidewall Entry

These terms refer to the location of the front entry door to the home. Endwall entry homes have their entry door located on the gable end (narrow or hitch end) of the home. Endwall entry homes are a great solution for residential lots that have less road frontage but ample lot depth. Sidewall entry homes have their entry door located on the long side of the home (eave side) and are the most common layout Champion builds.

Factory Built Housing

Factory built housing refers to any home that is built in a quality-controlled manufacturing facility and includes both manufactured HUD code homes and modular homes.

Manufactured Home

Single- or multi-section home built to the federal HUD code for manufactured housing.

Manufactured Home Communities (parks)

These are land lease communities where homeowners pay a monthly lot rent to keep their home in the community.

Mobile Home

Although the term “mobile home” is still used today, it does not apply to a separate building code. Prior to the beginning of the HUD manufactured Housing code in 1976, the term mobile home was the primary house type name associated with the factory- built housing industry.

Modular Home

Ranch, Cape Cod or two-story home built to a state adopted building code. Most states have adopted the International Residential Code (IRC); however, a few states are still using the Building Officials Code Administration (BOCA) code.

Off-frame Modular Homes

Modular homes that are detached from the steel chassis (carrier) that was used to ship them to the building site and then crane set onto a crawlspace or full basement.

On-frame Modular Homes

Modular homes that remain on the steel chassis they were shipped on. These homes can be installed on a pier style foundation with a non load-bearing perimeter wall or set on an engineered crawlspace or basement that is designed to carry the loads from the chassis to the perimeter foundation walls. Most homeowners that are installing their homes on a full basement prefer the off-frame type of modular housing.

RVs and Park Model Homes

These are small single-section homes that are built to the HUD Manufactured Housing code or the ANSI code for recreational vehicles. ANSI models must be less than 400 sq. ft. and HUD code models range from 400 to 500 sq. ft.

Two-Story Modular Homes

Champion builds two-story modular homes in a few regions of the U.S., primarily in the east and Midwest states. Two-story modular homes are set on a crawl space or basement foundation using a crane. Most of our two-story modular homes consist of four sections, however, in a few regions of the east coast we have built large homes with six or more sections.