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Best Wireless (Wi-Fi) Home Security Cameras of 2019 – Indoor …

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

Best Overall

The Arlo Q is an excellent security camera with great video quality, strong motion and sound detection and a generous free cloud-storage plan.

Don't be deceived: This $25 wireless security camera is very good for the price.

The Arlo Pro 2 provides a great combination of software, free cloud storage and video quality.

Need to keep an eye on your house from anywhere? Small, stand-alone Wi-Fi or wireless home security cameras are easy to set up; can stream video to your phone, tablet or PC; and will send you alerts if they detect motion or loud noises. Most cameras also provide night vision and automatic motion-activated recording, and some can be connected to other smart-home products, such as security systems and smart lights.

After testing dozens of wired and wireless options, our favorite home security camera is the Arlo Q ($149). We found that it had the best software, the most flexible options and the most affordable cloud-storage subscription plan of the home security cameras we tested. Our favorite fully wireless, battery-operated camera is the Arlo Pro 2; this 1080p camera's rechargeable battery can last for up to six months, and features two-way talk capabilities.

If you're looking for something under $100, our favorite budget security camera is the Wyze Cam 1080p, which costs about $25, yet has a surprising number of features for the price, and gives you 14 days of rolling cloud storage for free.

Can't decide which Arlo camera you should get? We've put together this handy Arlo security camera buying guide.

Our favorite indoor home security camera has an affordable price, high-quality video, and lots of features.

SPECIFICATIONS

Simple, trouble-free setup

Intuitive, flexible scheduling

Unusual level of control over motion detection, scheduling

Excellent video quality

Generous free cloud plan

Easy social sharing of videos

Single-user mobile app

Difficult Custom Mode setup

Activity Zones not part of motion-detection controls

Timeline requires expensive subscription

With its top-notch video quality, excellent motion detection, flexible scheduling and intuitive user interface, the Arlo Q would be a contender as our best home security camera even without its very generous basic cloud-subscription plan. That plan gives you the past week's recordings at no cost for the lifetime of the unit (although higher tiers aren't free), and more than justifies the unit's relatively high price. The Arlo Q is the Wi-Fi security camera to beat.

Read our full Arlo Q review.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

This camera costs less than $30, yet offers a ton of features, including 14 days of cloud storage for free.

SPECIFICATIONS

Inexpensive

Free 14-day, rolling cloud storage

Works with motion and door sensors

Local storage

Limited field of view

Cloud storage clips limited to 14 seconds

Don't let the low price fool you; the Wyze Cam 1080p is an excellent home security camera, and our best pick for its price. This device comes with two weeks of free cloud storage, as well as a microSD card slot which you can use to enable continuous recording and create time-lapse videos. With an add-on module, you can link this camera to Wyze's motion sensors and smart bulbs, as well as to third party smart-home devices with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Read our full Wyze Cam 1080p review.

This battery-powered security camera offers exceptional quality video and can withstand the elements.

SPECIFICATIONS

Video resolution: 4K | Field of view: 180 degrees | Night vision: 25 feet | Audio: full-duplex | Local Storage: Yes (in base station) | Battery Powered: Optional | Weather Resistant: Yes | Smart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT | Cloud Storage: 30-day rolling-cloud service (1080p) for up to 10 cameras free for one year;$9.99/month afterwards. Upgrade to 4K recording for $1.99/month per camera.

Excellent 4K video

Optional color night-vision videos

Comprehensive, easy-to-use software

Good audio

Can log in from only one device at a time

Web portal requires Adobe Flash:Expensive

Not only do the Arlo Ultras 4K cameras deliver the best quality weve seen from a wireless home security camera, but it also uses that extra resolution to enable digital track and zoom, which makes it easier to follow and ID a person as they move across the frame. A built-in spotlight also enables color recording at night, and it has dual microphones for better audio. Plus, the Arlo Ultras base station will be compatible with the companys smart home security kit, due out later this year. All of this will cost you, though: A single camera (with the hub) is $399, and extra cameras are $299 each. And if you want to save 4K videos, its an extra $1.99 per camera per month, on top of the $9.99 monthly plan, the latter of which is waived for the first year.

Read our full Arlo Ultra Review.

A less expensive indoor/outdoor battery-powered camera that still offers very good image quality.

SPECIFICATIONS

Simple installation

Clean, intelligent interface

Flexible and easy scheduling

Geofencing turns system on/off depending on the phone's location

Very good daylight video quality

Free seven-day rolling cloud storage

Can login from only one device at a time

No auto-rotate of live or playback videos on mobile devices

Motion detection tools separate from setup section

Like its older sibling the Arlo Pro, the Arlo Pro 2 has motion detection, night vision and an intercom function, but the Pro 2 has a higher resolution (1080p vs. 720p) with a wider 130-degree field of view. The Arlo Pro 2 can be plugged in or run off battery power, and can last for up to six months without needing a recharge. You'll also get Arlo's generous cloud-subscription plan, which offers seven days' worth of footage for free.

Read our full Arlo Pro 2 review.

Nest's home security camera integrates well with many other smart home devices.

SPECIFICATIONS

Excellent 1080p video quality

Easy setup

Impressive night vision

Programmable with Nest Protect and Nest Thermostat

Pricey

Requires monthly subscription for extra features

Microphone/speakers not very powerful

The Nest Cam Indoor is the third generation of the celebrated Dropcam, and bumps up its predecessors' video quality to 1080p. It's easy to set up and, thanks to its magnetic, swiveling base, it can be installed almost anywhere indoors. The video looks sharp; night vision is clear; the camera can be used as an intercom; and it interacts with the Nest Thermostat and the Nest Protect smoke detector, as well as numerous third-party smart- home devices. But to really make use of the camera's features, you'll have to shell out $10 or more per month for the Nest Aware program, which gives you access to cloud storage, person detection and customizable activity zones.

Google has discontinued its Works With Nest program; if you migrate your Nest account to a Google account, many of the smart home integrations with the Nest cam may no longer work. We suggest to hold off transitioning your account until the integrations you currently use with the Nest cam are supported within Google Home.

Read our full Nest Cam Indoor review.

SPECIFICATIONS

Wide field of view

Lets you set motion zones

Affordable subscription plan

Saving videos requires a subscription

In addition to a sharp 1080p camera, the Ring Floodlight camera has two powerful LEDS that turn on when motion is detected. Plus, Ring's app has a neighborhood-watch feature, which lets you see what's happening in your hood from other Ring users, as well as police and fire departments. Unfortunately, to view recorded video, you'll need to subscribe to Ring's cloud storage plans, which start at $30/year.

Read our full Ring Floodlight Camera review.

Arlo's cameras are expensive; this older (and cheaper) model is a lower resolution, but is just as effective.

SPECIFICATIONS

Simple, quick installation

Clean, intelligent interface

rich set of features

Excellent video capture

Very good audio quality

Geofencing

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The 8 Best Wireless Security Systems of 2019

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

Monitoring Service

Some home security systems add extra peace of mind by offering an additional monitoring service. The upside is that if there is an intruder, the service can intervene quickly and call the police if necessary. On the downside, you can expect to pay an additional monthly fee for monitoring and it often (but not always) means signing a contract for a year or more. Other home security systems skip professional monitoring in favor of features such as smartphone alerts and self-activated sirens.

Smart Home Compatibility

Many of todays home security systems are built with tech integrations that allow the system to work with popular smart home platforms such as Google Home, Nest, and Amazon Alexa. Taking advantage of smart home compatible security systems can boost your confidence that your home is safe and secure and allow you to automate certain functions of your homes security protocol.

Video Recording

With a video-enabled security system you will get a live look at your home anytime and from anywhere, or receive real-time alerts when your home security system detects an unusual event. Some cameras will continuously record surveillance footage and upload it to a cloud server, while others save battery life and storage space by only recording motion-triggered events.

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The 8 Best Wireless Security Systems of 2019

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Homemade Window Cleaner – 3 Ingredients You Already Have

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

Homemade window cleaner is one of my favorite DIY cleaning recipes: its so cost-effective, and it leaves a wonderfully streak-free shine. You dont have to limit its use to windows, either! I use it on glass surfaces throughout my home, including the fronts of framed photos and my glass shower doors.

Our windows get coated with dirt spots and pollen, but they also acquire a different, more stubborn kind of mess known as city grime.

I try to make window cleaning a monthly chore for that reason, at least on the inside. With 36 windows in our house, I need a window cleaner that works quickly, cleans thoroughly and doesnt cost a small fortune! This homemade window cleaner fits the bill.

Ingredients

* Surgical spirits in the UK.

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake gently to mix.2. Fold a few sheets of newspaper together like a washcloth, or use a microfiber cloth.3. Spray the glass then wipe.4. When cleaning framed photos, spray the cloth rather than the glass.

TIPS

NOTE that the dish-washing liquid shouldnt contain moisturizers or oxygenating action you want a straight liquid dish soap like Dawn Original (Sunlight or Fairy in the UK) or even Ivory.

I find using rubbing alcohol cuts through city grime best, but if youre in a more rural area, you can skip it and just use water.

When cleaning windows, wipe left-to-right on the inside, and top-to-bottom on the outside. That way you can tell which side a smudge is on.

Its best to clean windows on an overcast, dry day. Trying to clean them while the sun is hitting them, or while theyre still hot from being exposed to the sun, will lead to streaks no matter what window cleaner you use.

Crazy as it sounds, I have the best luck cleaning the inside of kitchen windows at night. Turn off outdoor lights and work in a brightly lit kitchen: youll see every smudge on your windows, making them easy to clean.

No Streak Homemade Window Cleaner – wholenewmom.com

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

This No Streak Homemade Window Cleaner is super easy to make, is much safer than a lot of the store bought options, and leaves your windows and mirrors streak free.

Plus it costs almost nothing to make, so it's easy on the budget too.

Our environment is filled with toxins and one of the biggest offenders in the toxin department is household cleaners.

So I've been working for awhile to get and keep as many toxins as possible out of our home.

I make and use homemade foaming soap, a natural dishwasher rinse aid, homemade soft scrub and even soap nuts instead of laundry detergent.

I personally think that it is so important to get Home Care and Personal Care products that are toxin free so that we, our families, and our world can be a lot more healthy.

Plus, you can save a TON of money by making these things yourself.

And it doesn't have to take a TON of time.

In fact, most of them are lickety-split.

So even uber busy folk can do thisand not drive themselves crazy.

This Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe is a case in point. It's simple.

Since my childhood, I have been plagued with chemical sensitivities.

Truthfully, I've always been sensitive to a lot of things, but some chemical smells (think off-gassing) and artificial fragrances are one of the worst.

For as long as I can remember, I would get light-headed and feel woozy just walking down the detergent and house cleaner aisles at the grocery store, or walking through the perfume section in a department store.

Even walking outside when people are running their dryers bothers me. The smell of the VOCs in the dryer sheets is just terrible (and terrible for you).

Sofor a long time now, I have shunned the use of commercial home care products.

Since I'm a pretty simple gal about DIY cleaning products, mainly I was trying to get by with only vinegar and water. But sometimes you need something more.

Anyway, even if these chemicals don't make you feel bad, there is a lot of evidence that they aren't healthy, so it's a good idea to do what you can to remove them from your environment as much as possible. In fact, you really should do what you can to remove toxins from your life to improve your health.

Either way,making your own DIY Glass Cleaner is a breeze.

Let me ask you thisdo you really want these things in your home?

propylene glycol2 HexoxyethanolAmmonium HydroxideMirapol Surf S-210Viden EGMSodium C14-17 Sec-Alkyl SulfonatFragrance Palette (all kind of stuff in there.artificial fragrances are not healthy)Liquitint Sky Blue Dye

I didn't think so.

Yes, that is what is in one of the more popular glass cleaners on the market. Ick.

You can make your own cleaner for way less money than you would spend on a commercial cleaner. Even if not, I would still prefer to make my own for the other benefits.

See the end of this post to see how much you can save.

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.

Do you really want to add these toxins to our already toxically-overloaded environment? I am convinced that one of the main problems regarding the onslaught of autism, auto-immune disorders and cancer is the prevalence of toxins in our world. Let's do what ever we can, within reason, to help clean things up for us and for future generations. Every time you can use a toxin free product over a toxin laden one, you help the environment.

Now, I used to use just plain vinegarto clean our mirrors and glass. Truth be told, we didn't really clean our windows often. Just didn't really think about it.

We would put some plain vinegar on a piece of newspaper and wipe it all over the mirror.

It worked pretty well, but it did leave some streaks that were a little hard to get off.

But in a pinch, it works well.

This cleaner, however, is great. I found it on a number of sites all over the internet and I must say, it is a real winner.My son likes to take our spray bottle all over the house and clean all the windows and mirrors it helps to have a bottle with a blue top (his favorite color!)

This cleaner does contain isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, which some people may wish to avoid, but I don't have a problem with. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.and I did find another promising recipe that costs quite a bit more money to make and has no isopropyl alcohol. Maybe I'll give it a whirl!

By the way, I discovered this recipe on several sites, so hard to know where it came from originally.

One of the things you'll notice in this formula for Homemade Glass Cleaner, is that it has cornstarch in it. Huh?

Are you with me in wondering what it's doing in there?

Well, this update is just in today (Sept. 13, 2013) from a reader who is in the know. Here is her answer:

On a microscopic level, glass is not perfectly smooth. When you spray water on it, the water molecules get caught in the pits on the glass surface. Water also clings to itself through hydrogen bonding the hydrogen atoms from two molecules cling together. Water stuck in the glass + water stuck to more water = streaking. Cornstarch (or dish soap or oil-even a couple drops of essential oil) disrupts the hydrogen bonding, thus preventing streaks!

Cool beans! A DIY house cleaning recipe and science lesson in one!

A ton.

Vinegar: costs about $.59 for 32 oz at Aldi. So even if we double the price, let's say it costs $.04

Rubbing Alcohol: Based on current Rite Aid pricing (I called :-)!)$.25 for 1/4 cup

Cornstarch: A local Midwest grocery chain has it for $1.39 right now. If the Tbsp per pound info I got is correct, then the cost for 1 Tbsp is about $.04.

Water: I am just going to call this $0.00. The current approximate cost per gallon in my city is $.002 per gallon :-).

So it costs a total of $.33 to make 2 1/2 cups of Glass Cleaner.

Cost of a popular brand on the market? $3.43 on Amazon. I had to do some fancy math to get the cost per ounce, but this is what it costs for 2 1/2 cups (20 oz). So you save over 90%!

WindowsMirrorsGlass AppliancesStainless SteelChromeAluminumCeramicMarble (thanks to a reader, I've found out that you shouldn't use vinegar on marble as it can cause it to corrode.)Plastic

I hope this gets you motivated to:

Save Money

Reduce Toxins

Improve Your Family's Health

Clean Your Windows :-)!

Before you try making this Homemade Window Cleaner, here are some helpful tips to ensure it works well for you.

Shake well before using since the cornstarch might clog up your spray nozzle otherwise.

Allergic to corn? I'm sure other starches like tapioca or arrowroot will work as well.

You can use microfiber cloths or rags to wipe your surfaces clean. I prefer either those options or newspaper to paper towels since paper towels leave lint and are more wasteful.

Make sure to label your bottleso as you make more and more non-toxic home cleaners you will know what is what :-).

Another great tip from a reader: Add natural food coloringto the bottle so kids will know it's not water. Beet juice (from canned beets) is one inexpensive natural color or you could drop a bit of powdered beet juice in as well. I think that would work great..

This handy dandy Chalkboard Contact Paperis great for label making.

Streaking?

Some readers have had streaking issues. It's possible that this is from impure essential oils or hard water. If you have streaking issues, please do share in the comments what brand of essential oils you used and if you have hard water. Thanks! I recommending only using pure essential oils even for house cleaning, because you breathe in the fumes from the cleaning products and you don't want to be breathing in impurities.

Use Two Cloths

Another tip from a readerto avoid streaking, use two clothsone to wash and one very dry cloth to dry.

Eyeglass Warning

You can definitely use this Homemade Glass Cleaner on your eyeglasses, but only if they are plain glass. If they are coated, avoid using this since alcohol will cause crazing (small surface cracks) in poly carbonate plastic. Additionally, it can also cause the lens coating to deteriorate, resulting in less durable glasses that are easily scratched.

Print This!

Ingredients

1/4 cup white vinegar (apple cider vinegar will work as well)1/4 cupisopropyl (rubbing) alcohol1 Tbsp non-GMO cornstarch (the cornstarch reduces streaking anyone know why?)2 cups water8-10drops essential oil of choice (optional. Lemon, orange, or another citrus would be my choice here, but lavender or others would be nice as well. Go here to learn why I chose this company as having the best essential oils for the money.)A good glass spray bottle or quality BPA-free plastic spray bottle.

Method

1. Combine everything in a spray bottle (You can reuse the container you already have from your store bought glass cleaner. I had to buy one at a dollar store since we haven't used glass cleaner in years :-)!)

2. Shake well to mix.

3. Spray onto glass surface and wipe clean.

Note: I heard from a reader that vinegar can damage marble, so be careful using this around / on marble surfaces.

Let me know what you think of this homemade window cleaner recipe!

Natural Dishwasher Rinse AidHomemade Foaming SoapDIY Shower CleanerBest DIY Fruit Fly TrapEasiest DIY Weed Killer

What do you use to clean your mirrors and windows?

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No Streak Homemade Window Cleaner - wholenewmom.com

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About Our Company | Mr. Rooter Plumbing

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

Founded on Trust, Service, & Quality Work

Since the original Mr. Rooter was founded in 1970, the company has remained committed to a set of core values that are rooted in performing quality work at honest prices. Nearly half a century later, the original Mr. Rooter business is still servicing homes and businesses in and around Oklahoma City. Its still independently owned and operated with strong ties to the community that made it all possible.

Weve never lost sight of that local connection. Today, Mr. Rooter is a large family ofindependently owned and operated plumbing companies united by a common set of values and a shared belief in providing the best customer service possible. Although our network is vast, with hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada, each business is ingrained and invested in the communities they serve. Because theyre our communities, too. And through experience weve learned that exemplary service comes naturally when you truly care about your customers.

At Mr. Rooter, we love what we do, and we believe in it. Its not just plumbing to us, but a philosophy applied to every area of our lives. Its just the plumbing thats made us famous.

Our only priority is to provide the highest level of customer service.

We know thatplumbing emergencies are enough of a headache without dealing with an ornery customer service rep or repairman. We offer a warm voice, a courteous call, and a convenient process. We make your emergency a priority for us, scheduling service as quickly as possible to resolve your problem.

Our plumbers are the same waythey treat your home with respect and consideration. We wipe our feet on our own mats, we wear shoe covers before entering your home, and well offer you a fair assessment of your plumbing situation and how much it will cost to handle it. Our prices areflat-rate and upfront, so you dont have to worry about inflating prices as the job goes on.

Mr. Rooter is proud to be a Neighborly company. Everything we do is shaped by our values:

We always listen carefully to each other and our customers. We also endeavor to respond quickly to our customers needs with open, upfront commitments. These values and the practices based on them are the foundation of our service, our philosophy, and our daily lives at Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

If your home is in need of other services or repairs,learn more about our community of home service experts.

Read the rest here:
About Our Company | Mr. Rooter Plumbing

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Manufactured Homes | Cavco Industries, Inc.

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

What is a Manufactured Home

Some people use the terms manufactured home, modular home and mobile home interchangeably. However, it is important for consumers to know the differences in these construction terms before they begin shopping for a new home. A manufactured home, or a mobile home as it was commonly called prior to 1976, is a home that is constructed almost entirely within the protection of a factory. It is built on a specially designed steel frame (or chassis) and delivered to the final home site virtually completed. Some refer to these as HUD code homes because following 1976, their construction requirements and inspection have been regulated by the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Association as defined in the HUD Title 6 Construction Standards.

Here is a list of links to our Cavco home builders who build and sell manufactured homes.

The manufactured home is built on a steel supporting frame in an environmentally protected building space. When it is 90 to 100% complete, it is then transported to the building site. Once the home has been installed and inspected, the wheels on the steel frame can be removed, but the steel frame remains in place.

Building Codes for Manufactured Homes

In the United States, HUD (the US Department of Housing and Urban Development) regulates manufactured housing through the HUD Code instead of local building codes. Each home must meet these federal guidelines and inspections rather than the local building codes of the area where the home is built. After each home or segment of a home is built and inspected, it is labeled with a red tag that is the manufacturers guarantee the home was built to conform to the HUD code.

A manufactured home can come in many different sizes and shapes. It may be a simple one-story mobile home, or it can be a complex tripewide with lots of custom features.

Typically, however, our manufactured homes are priced significantly less than their site-built counterparts due to the efficiencies of scale created by building the complete home in one location with a skilled, experienced building crew.

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Manufactured Homes | Cavco Industries, Inc.

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Manufactured housing – Wikipedia

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

A modern "triple wide" home

Manufactured housing (commonly known as mobile homes in the United States) is a type of prefabricated housing that is largely assembled in factories and then transported to sites of use. The definition of the term in the United States is regulated by federal law (Code of Federal Regulations, 24 CFR 3280): "Manufactured homes are built as dwelling units of at least 320 square feet (30m2) in size with a permanent chassis to assure the initial and continued transportability of the home."[1] The requirement to have a wheeled chassis permanently attached differentiates "manufactured housing" from other types of prefabricated homes, such as modular homes.

According to the Manufactured Housing Institutes National Communities Council (MHINCC), manufactured homes[2]

are homes built entirely in the factory under a federal building code administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (commonly known as the HUD Code) went into effect June 15, 1976. Manufactured homes may be single- or multi-section and are transported to the site and installed.

The MHINCC distinguishes among several types of factory-built housing: manufactured homes, modular homes, panelized homes, pre-cut homes, and mobile homes.

From the same source, mobile home "is the term used for manufactured homes produced prior to June 15, 1976, when the HUD Code went into effect."[2] Despite the formal definition, mobile home and trailer are still common terms in the United States for this type of housing.

The original focus of this form of housing was its ability to relocate easily. Units were initially marketed primarily to people whose lifestyle required mobility. However, beginning in the 1950s, these homes began to be marketed primarily as an inexpensive form of housing designed to be set up and left in a location for long periods of time, or even permanently installed with a masonry foundation. Previously, units had been eight feet or less in width, but in 1956, the 10-foot (3.0m) wide home was introduced. This helped solidify the line between mobile and house/travel trailers, since the smaller units could be moved simply with an automobile, but the larger, wider units required the services of a professional trucking company. In the 1960s and '70s, the homes became even longer and wider, making the mobility of the units more difficult. Today, when a factory-built home is moved to a location, it is usually kept there permanently. The mobility of the units has decreased considerably.

The factory-built homes of the past developed a negative stereotype because of their lower cost and the tendency for their value to depreciate more quickly than site-built homes. The tendency of these homes to rapidly depreciate in resale value made using them as collateral for loans far riskier than traditional home loans. Loan terms were usually limited to less than the 30-year term typical of the general home-loan market, and interest rates were considerably higher. In other words, these home loans resembled motor vehicle loans far more than traditional home mortgages. They have been consistently linked to lower-income families, which has led to prejudice and zoning restrictions, which include limitations on the number and density of homes permitted on any given site, minimum size requirements, limitations on exterior colors and finishes, and foundation mandates.

Many jurisdictions do not allow the placement of any additional factory-built homes, while others have strongly limited or forbidden all single-wide models, which tend to depreciate in value more rapidly than modern double-wide models. The derogatory concept of a "trailer park" is typically older single-wide homes occupying small, rented lots and remaining on wheels, even if the home stays in place for decades.

Modern homes, especially modular homes, belie this image and can be identical in appearance to site-built homes. Newer homes, particularly double-wides, tend to be built to much higher standards than their predecessors. This has led to a reduction in the rate of value depreciation of many used units.

Although great strides have been made in terms of quality, manufactured homes do still struggle with construction problems. Author Wes Johnson has pointed out that the HUD code which governs manufactured homes desperately needs to be updated, quality control at manufacturing facilities are often lax, and set-up issues often compromise even a well-made manufactured home. Johnson states buyers need to be exceptionally cautious if they are entertaining the idea of purchasing any manufactured home by carefully checking it for defects before signing the contract and supervising the set-up process closely. These homes in the modern age are built to be beautiful and last longer than the typical old trailers.

When FEMA studied the destruction wrought by Hurricane Andrew in Dade County Florida, they concluded that modular and masonry homes fared best compared to other construction.[3]

While manufactured homes are considered to be affordable housing, older models can be some of the most expensive in the nation to heat due to energy inefficiency.[4] High-performance manufactured housing uses less energy and therefore increases life-cycle affordability by decreasing operating costs. High-performance housing is not only energy efficient, but also attractive, functional, water-efficient, resilient to wind, seismic forces, and moisture penetration, and has healthy indoor environmental quality. Achieving high-performance involves integrated, whole building design, involving many components, not one single technology. Highperformance manufactured housing should also include energy efficient appliances, such as Energy Star qualified appliances.[4] Energy Star requires ample insulation: 2x6 walls: R21, roof: R40, floor: R33.

Both types of homes - manufactured and modular - are commonly referred to as factory-built housing, but they are not identical. Modular homes are built to IRC code. Modular homes can be transported on flatbed trucks rather than being towed, and can lack axles and an automotive-type frame. However, some modular houses are towed behind a semi-truck or toter on a frame similar to that of a trailer. The house is usually in two pieces and is hauled by two separate trucks. Each frame has five or more axles, depending on the size of the house. Once the house has reached its location, the axles and the tongue of the frame are then removed, and the house is set on a concrete foundation by a large crane. Some modern modular homes, once fully assembled, are indistinguishable from site-built homes. In addition, modular homes:

Manufactured homes have several standard requirements that are more stringent than International Residential Code homes.

Fire Protection

A National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) study from July 2011 shows that occurrence of fires is lower in manufactured housing and the injury rate is lower in manufactured housing. The justification behind the superior fire safety is due to the following higher standard requirements:

The San Francisco Bay Area, located in Northern California, is known for its high real estate prices, making manufactured housing an increasingly popular alternative to traditional real estate.[6] It is mainly the value of the land that makes real estate in this area so expensive. As of May 2011, the median price of a home in Santa Clara was $498,000,[7] while the most expensive manufactured home with all the premium features was only $249,000.[8] This drastic price difference is due to the fact that manufactured homes are typically placed in communities where individuals do not own the land, but instead pay a monthly site fee. This enables a consumer, who could otherwise not afford to live in the Bay Area, the opportunity to own a new home in this location. There are various communities of manufactured homes in the Bay Area, the largest being Casa de Amigos, located in Sunnyvale, California.

Construction starts with the frame

Interior wall assemblies are attached

Exterior wall assemblies are set in place

Roof assembly is set atop the house

House is ready for delivery to site

In Australia these homes are commonly known as transportable homes, relocatable homes or prefabricated homes (not to be confused with the American meaning of the term). They are not as common as in the US, but the industry is expected to grow as this method of construction becomes more accepted.

Manufactured home parks refer to housing estates where the house owner rents the land instead of owning it. This is quite common in Queensland in both the form of tourist parks and over 50's estates. The term transportable homes tends to be used to refer to houses that are built on land that is owned by the house owner.[citation needed]

Typically the homes are built in regional areas where the cost of organizing tradespeople and materials is higher than in the cities. In particular prefabricated homes have been popular in mining towns or other towns experiencing demand for new housing in excess of what can be handled by local builders. This method of construction is governed by state construction legislation and is subject to local council approval and homeowners' warranty or home warranty insurance.

A manufactured home is built entirely inside a huge, climate-controlled factory by a team of craftsmen. The first step in the process is the flooring, which is built in sections, each attached to a permanent chassis with its own wheels and secured for transport upon the homes completion. Depending on the size of the house and the floorplans layout, there may be two, three or even four sections. The flooring sections have heating, electrical and plumbing connections pre-installed before they are finished with laminate, tile or hardwood. Next, the walls are constructed on a flat level surface with insulation and interior Sheetrock before being lifted by crane into position and secured to the floor sections. The interior ceilings and roof struts are next, vapor sealed and secured to each sections wall frame before being shingled. Then, the exterior siding is added, along with the installation of doors and windows. Finally, interior finishing, such as sealing the drywall, is completed, along with fixture installation and finishing the electrical and plumbing connections. The exposed portions of each section, where they will eventually be joined together, are wrapped in plastic to protect them for transport.

With all the building site prep work completed, the building will be delivered by trucks towing the individual sections on their permanent chassis. The sections will be joined together securely, and all final plumbing and electrical connections are made before a decorative skirt or facade is applied to the bottom exterior of the house, hiding the chassis and finishing off the look of the home.

Inside, paint and carpet are finished to design specifications, then the home is cleaned thoroughly.[9]

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Manufactured housing - Wikipedia

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Germany, Berlin and Western Eruope Escorted Tours | smarTours

- October 2, 2019 by Mr HomeBuilder

Germany, Berlin and Western Eruope Escorted Tours | smarTours

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Explore the very best of Bavaria & Berlin on this exciting 12-day adventure! Based on your feedback weve crafted this tour to maximize your comfort and make sure you wont miss a thing: youll overnight in Berlin, Nuremberg, and Munich with daytime excursions to some of Bavarias most popular towns. Youll visit fairy-tale towns like the quintessential Rothenburg ob der Tauber with its medieval old town, beautiful Regensburg with its 12th-century Stone Bridge, Neuschwanstein Castle with its storybook facade, and more; all from your comfortable home base so you wont have to pack your bags each night.

Activity Level: Explorer*