Sustainability

GREEN BUILDER

Your Green Manufactured Home Builder in Florida

Many Jacobsen Homes shoppers have questions about how environmentally friendly our manufactured and modular homes are. As a green builder, we reduce waste and conserve energy both in our housing designs and building practices. A manufactured home is generally a more “green” choice compared with a traditional site-built home, but we go beyond where other builders might. Here, we explain why manufactured homes are green and how to make the most environmentally friendly home choices with Jacobsen Homes.

Our Green Building Practices for Manufactured Homes

The environmentally responsible nature of manufactured homes starts at the very beginning. Our manufactured or modular homes are built in a climate controlled factory, where supplies are bought in bulk. The construction methods produce less waste, reduce labor cost, and conserve energy. Recycling or repurposing unused products further prevents waste, which reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials, and reduces energy consumed in conventional waste disposal.

At Jacobsen Homes, we store materials away from the elements and recycle wherever possible to save energy and reduce waste. We recycle scrap lumber, aluminum, copper wiring and even cardboard and styrofoam packaging. These materials, as well as steel frames, vinyl lap siding and metal crates can be repurposed to create new products as opposed to costly disposal.

When designing a manufactured home, these green best practices save on costs for both the present and future.

What Green Materials Can be Used to Build Manufactured Homes?

The next, and perhaps most important element of an environmentally responsible manufactured home is the materials it uses. While you live in your home, you will use heat, air conditioning, water, and electricity. Jacobsen Homes incorporated a wide range of green materials with the potential to save you money, also reducing your carbon footprint. Let’s take a look at some of the most important elements.

Roofing

Our manufactured home roofs are reinforced for strength and energy savings. A thick, cellulose insulation cushion is sprayed into the roof cavity prior to final construction. Attached to the rooftop sheathing, a 9” eave drip is applied to prevent water leakage. A layer of asphalt based, shingle underlayment is glued to a layer of OSB (oriented strand board) followed by a 15-pound layer of roofing felt for double insulation. ENERGY STARⓇ shingles are available, greatly decreasing the amount of heat transferred in from the roof.

Walls

We use resource efficient wall systems to sustain low moisture and maximize insulation for warm or cold conditions. To meet HUD standards in Florida, large steel hurricane straps connect trusses to side wall studs and studs to floor joists. Storm ready wall sheathing provides further strength against intense Florida weather, including hurricanes. Our homes come standard with a whole house wrap –  ProLinx™ Housewrap, creating a high quality, low cost weather barrier system.

Using light colors for walls, floors and ceilings contributes to energy efficiency and flexible choices for finishing touches in environmentally friendly homes.

Flooring

A Jacobsen Homes floor system is filled with insulation and reinforced polyvinyl bottom board underlayment using eco-friendly construction, creating a moisture barrier for longevity of the flooring. Floor insulation saves money on energy costs.

Other Environmentally Responsible Building Materials

Best practices for saving energy in manufactured homes are incorporated in our building materials list, which includes:

  • OSB Floor Decking
  • Asphalt Laminated Underlayment
  • Engineered Wood Products
  • Fiberglass Wall and Floor Insulation
  • Blown Cellulose Ceiling Insulation
  • Vinyl Lap Siding
  • Vinyl Flooring
  • Carpet and Pad
  • MDF Cabinet Materials
  • Gypsum Board (Drywall)
  • Cosmetic Trim
  • Cement Board Fascia
  • Steel I-Beam Frames
  • Copper Wiring
  • Steel used in Frames
  • Cardboard Delivery Boxes
  • Wood Pallets
  • Wire Spools
  • Metal Crates
  • Aluminum
  • Scrap Lumber

What Energy-and Water-Saving Options are Available?

The fixtures and appliances in your home also contribute to your energy and water savings. Choose from these interior options from Jacobsen Homes:

  • ENERGY STARⓇ appliances
  • Fluorescent or LED lights
  • Faucet aerators
  • Ultra low-flow toilets
  • Sealed water heater compartment
  • Shut-off valves to each toilet and sink

How Does the Ventilation System Make a Manufactured Home Efficient?

Jacobsen Homes uses a “whole-house ventilation system.” This eco-friendly system reduces indoor humidity conditions that allow condensation, mold and contaminants to form. The air stays comfortably fresh and filtered. HVAC filters are located centrally for easy access to replace as needed. Additionally, we install ventilation exhaust fans for kitchens and bathrooms. Many manufactured homes are designed with non-powered roof vents.

Other green options for heating and cooling include:

  • Fiber reinforced mastic sealed airtight insulated flex-duct system
  • Sealed interior risers
  • Required “R-8” supply duct
  • Non-powered roof vents
  • Whole house return air
  • Bathroom exhaust fans

Jacobsen Homes is Your Green Builder for Manufactured Homes

You’ll feel good about reducing your impact on the environment in a manufactured home. Plus, you will get the advantage of up-front cost savings over a site-built home, thanks to efficient building practices, and enjoy savings for as long as you live there. Contact Jacobsen Homes today to request more information about Florida manufactured homes, modular homes.

Remember Manufactured Homes Last a Long Time

You may decide to live in your manufactured or modular home for life or just a few seasons. Manufactured homes have a longer lifespan than most realize. In fact, according to the affordable housing nonprofit Family Promise, “The life expectancy of modern manufactured homes is equivalent to comparable site-built homes.” That means you can feel good knowing your home is not only green but can house residents for many years.

Our Full List of Green Building Materials

Materials

  •  OSB Floor Decking
  • Energy Star Shingles available
  • 15-lb Roofing Felt
  • Asphalt Laminated Underlayment
  • Engineered Wood Products
  • Fiberglass Wall and Floor Insulation
  • Blown Cellulose Ceiling Insulation
  • 3/8” Structural Sheathing on Exterior Walls
  • Vinyl Lap Siding
  • Vinyl Flooring
  • Carpet and Pad
  • MDF Cabinet Materials
  • Energy Star Appliances available
  • Home Guard House Wrap available
  • Gypsum Board (Drywall)
  • Fluorescent or LED Lights available
  • Faucet Aerators
  • Ultra Low-flow Toilets
  • State “Warrior Glass” Water Heater
  • Cosmetic Trim
  • Cementous Board Fascia
  • Steel I-Beam Frames

Design

  • Controlled Building Environment
  • Minimum 3/12 Roof pitch with Air
  • Admittance Vents
  • Floor System Sealed Underlayment
  • Resource Efficient Wall System
  • Light Colored Walls, Ceiling, and Flooring
  • Shut-off Valves to each Toilet & Sink
  • Sealed Water Heater Compartment

Ventilation

  • Whole House Positive Ventilation System
  • Fiber Reinforced Mastic Sealed Airtight
  • Insulated Flex-Duct System
  • Sealed Interior Risers
  • Documented Proper Sizing of HVAC System
  • Required “R-8” Supply Duct
  • Non-powered Roof Vents
  • Whole House Return Air
  • Easy Access HVAC Filter
  • Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Recycled Building Materials

  •  Copper Wiring
  • Steel used in Frames
  • Vinyl Lap Siding
  • Cardboard delivery Boxes
  • Styrofoam Packaging
  • Wood Pallets
  • Wire Spools
  • Metal Crates
  • Aluminum
  • Scrap Lumber

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