Wood foundations for manufactured houses

ANUEACTURED homes can be a marketing target for the lumber and home center retailer.

For example, the Permanent Wood Foundation is a useful addition to a manufactured home. Demonstration models with wood foundations attracted a lot of attention at the Fleetwood exhibit complex during the Western Manufactured Home Institute show held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca., Oct. 30 through Nov. 12. Provided through the efforts of the Wood Products Promotion Council, the foundations demonstrated their versatility with one combining a specially designed outdoor deck.

The Permanent Wood Foundation makes it possible for mobile home buyers placing double-wide models on their own lots to qualify under HUD Sec. 203b for mortgages with longterm loans and the usual home loan interest rate. All model building codes and primary lending institutions approve the "PWF."

Relatively new to the manufactured home industry, the Permanent Wood Foundation, also referred to as the All-Weather Wood Foundation, is a building concept that's been around for several decades. Estimates now place the number of contractor-built homes with wood foundations at slightly over 100,000. Pressure treated wood's performance record in actual use and its acceptance by builders, owners and investors account for the growing popularity of this building product.

Considered to be permanent because it's constructed of longJasting preservative treated wood, the Permanent Wood Foundation is a low cost

Story at a Glance

How lumber & home center re tailers can develop sales with manulactured housing...Per. manent Wood Foundation and deck use growing...lucratlve wood decks can be a tiein sale.

alternative to the concrete slab foundation.

It can be constructed on-site by a carpentry crew. No other trades are required. Or it can be prefabricated elsewhere and delivered to the mobile home site. The foundation can be built at any time of the year without delays due to inclement weather.

Providing additional living space with outdoor decks adds another dimension for sales to those with manufactured homes. Wooden decks designed to augment the living space of the pre-built home or accommodate the needs of wheelchair users and others who have difficulty negotiating steps offer retailers additional sales opportunities.

Retailers wbuld be wise to include plans or a model of a deck appropriate for use with a manufactured home in their deck display. Dealers also should be familiar with the building codes provisions dealing with manufactured housing.

The Wood Products Promotion Council consists of representatives of five industry groups that have been working together in a cooperative relationship for the past several years, conducting joint programs of common interest. Members are the American Plywood Association, the American rffood Council, the National Forest Products Association, the Southern Forest Products Association and the Western Wood