Page 23 - Green Builder November-December 2018 Issue

NAME THAT HOUSE TYPE

IFFERENT HOUSING TYPES HAVE to adhere to different
building codes. This makes sense when the code is intended
to increase safety and building resilience. But these rules
D are sometimes arbitrary and class centric. Jefre C. Outlaw, a
financier with a keen interest in tiny homes, offers the following list of
housing types to help clarify the current options. Not included are tiny
site-built homes, which generally must be built to the same building code
as other, larger site-built homes.
1. THOW (tiny house on wheels): Usually under 400 square feet.
Built to the ANSI 119.5 certification standard (RVIA). Steel frame with
wheels and a VIN, and legally viewed as an RV. Built to last 30 years. Up
to 12-year loan with not-so-great terms. Cannot live in them permanently
(more than six months) per federal laws. PHOTO: WWW.360ARMENIA.COM
2. Modular Home: Also referred to as a tiny home on foundation
(THOF). IRC certification state by state. Typically over 400 square feet,
enabling you to get a 15- or 30-year mortgage through the secondary Ready to roll. Modular and mobile homes typically arrive on site
market (Fannie Mae/FHA). Built to last 50 years. on wheels before being removed from the trailer and welded
3. Manufactured Homes (HUD homes): Single wide, double wide, onto a foundation. This is often the only way they qualify for a
etc. Built to a generally lower standard than site-built homes. Some certificate of occupancy and a conventional mortgage.
zoning prohibits them, even when attached to a foundation. Not
recommended for areas vulnerable to high winds unless they are built ADU’s/”Granny Flats”. Building code jurisdiction is local city/county/state
“above code.” regs. Built to last 50-plus years.
4. Prefab Component Build (PCB): Also referred to as a flat pack 5. Park Model RVs. Larger in width and interior headroom than road-
build. Made with SIPs and dried in approximately three days. Sized 400 ready RVs, these units typically can only be placed in RV parks. They are
square feet to 1,400 square feet. Solves many problems when building classified as RVs for purposes of loans and building codes.

www.greenbuildermedia.com November/December 2018 GREEN BUILDER 21

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