Stick Builders Have Hard Time Matching Insulation Qualities of Modular Construction

I just received this email from Harris Woodward, owner of Finish Werks in Savage, MD who builds some of the best High Performance modular homes in the country. His email speaks for itself.

Modcoach;
This is a monthly report that comes from ICF – the
contractor that administers Maryland’s
Builder Rewards program (regulated by the Public Service Commission from
utility company grants) that pays out up to $1600 for Energy Star rated homes.

My point is this: when you look at the photos you can tell
right away this substandard insulation installation does not happen in modular.
With indoor, line-production controls, installing insulation is almost always
“Class I”. Stick builders have a problem on their hands because the insulation
subs are cutting corners and the other trades and not talking to the insulation
team.

In modular home building, given the close proximity of each
trade to the other, these challenges just don’t happen. If there is an issue
with compressing insulation, one man simply walks down the assembly line to
discuss the solution with the other guy.

Problem solved.

Another reason to go modular.

BTW,                             is a senior consultant at ICFI. He comes to me occasionally on
building science advice so that he can council Ryan Homes
and other regional builders how to tighten up their homes cost effectively. I’m
not making this up!… and yet these stick builders continue to try and hit
IECC 2012 one Stick at a time. Good grief.

Regards,

W. Harris Woodward

Member, Master CGP