How a Modular Home is Constructed – Part 2 (Walls)
-Westchester Modular Homes Inc.
Have you ever wondered how modular units all come together to become a quality built home? In the next series of blogs, we will be pulling back the curtain so to speak, and educating you on what specifically happens behind the scenes in the building of a modular home. In these blogs, we’ll be taking you through our factory one production stage at a time to discuss the specifics of how a modular home is built.
Last week we begin with floors. This week we will explore walls. Walls are like the skeleton of a home in that they support the home and dictate its floor plan. High-quality, low moisture studs are used as modular homes framing structure to insure true lines and straight walls. As mentioned in the previous blog, walls, floors and roof systems are built simultaneously. Roof systems will be discussed in the upcoming blog series.
Stage Two: Walls
Wall fabrication transpires usually in an area close in vicinity to the floors. Walls are usually constructed on what is called a floor table. For exterior walls 2” x 6” studs are used and 2” x 4” studs for interior walls. All stud members are laid out in increments of 16” on center as a standard and then nailed in place. To reinforce the areas where a future kitchen will be installed, wood blocking is put in place for kitchen cabinets. Drywall is adhered to the studs by a special foam seal adhesive. This technique allows for a smooth, flawless finish to the drywall with no nail pops.
Walls are then lifted by crane over to the floor section where they are carefully set into place. Exterior partition and marriage walls are usually put into position and nailed first. It is important to note that walls are fastened direct to the floor system in a perpendicular manner as prescribed by a nailing a schedule. This ensures a very sturdy, tightly built structure. Interior walls are then lifted and carried over to the floor system, placed into position and then again fastened to the floor structure. On LEED and Energy-Star homes, exterior walls are caulked to the base of the walls to the deck for maximum energy efficiency.