Is a Modular Home Safe in a Tornado?
Tornado season is fast approaching.
We all know the steps that need to be taken in order to be safe. You get your supplies and get into a shelter for safety.
But what if you live in a modular home? Will that be safe during a tornado?
There is only one way to find the answer.
Is a Modular Home Safe in a Tornado?
The simple answer is yes.
A modular home is built just like a traditional home. However, you need to take the usual safety precautions when you are under a tornado watch/warning.
The question is what makes a modular home safe during a tornado.
First of all, they have to follow the International Residential Code.
Each house has to follow the same building codes and regulations as any “normal” house. They have to in other to keep the homeowners safe.
This also helps that modular homes are permanent fixtures.
Another feature that makes modular homes safe is that they can be built over basements and crawlspaces. It is recommended that you take shelter in those areas of the house.
So yes, a modular home is safe during a tornado.
You just have to follow the normal protocol regarding tornado safety.
What Do I Do Next?
Now that you know that your modular home is safe from a tornado, what do you do next?
The first thing to do when you are thinking about purchasing a modular home is to ask questions.
Always check to see if there is a basement or crawlspace around the house. Sometimes, you will have to be asked where they are while doing the house tour.
Ask about what the house is made of. Brick would be a safer choice during a tornado.
Another thing to ask is how old the house is. Most modular houses are new, but it doesn’t hurt to ask questions.
The next thing to do is research into the house.
It is okay to do a quick Google search before you make a purchase. You are the homeowner after all.
You can look into the history of the house that way.
The location can also come in handy when you are doing research. You can see if you are moving to an area where it is tornado-prone.
Naturally, you would know beforehand if it was or not. It just never hurts to take a look anyway.
Research can help you come along armed with the questions that you need to ask. You will be well-informed before you make a purchase.
After you get your dream modular house, you have to follow the steps needed to keep you and your family safe during a tornado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Modular Home?
The first thing you have to know is what a modular home is. Basically, a modular house is a building that is built section by section in a factory setting.
What makes them an ideal choice for a home is that they are climate-controlled and are built in accordance with the International Residential Code.
In other words, these houses have to be built with safety and quality put first.
Each room is placed side-by-side or stacked on each other as the house is built. This allows the house to be styled in any way that the builder sees fit.
The sections have to be carried to the building site by truck.
After the house is built, utilities, appliances, cabinetry, flooring, and everything that are added to the house to make it complete.
How long it takes for a house to be built will depend on the company and the conditions surrounding the project.
Modular homes will always keep improving as the years go on.
How is a Modular Home Different from a Traditional Home?
A traditional home doesn’t have to be moved to the location that it is going to be settled in.
A modular home is built room by room before it is moved by truck to the final location where the homeowner is planning to live.
The way you can find out which is by looking up information about the house online.
What is the Difference Between a Modular Home and a Manufactured Home?
It is all in the building codes applied.
Modular homes and manufactured homes all have to follow a different code. To know which one is which, go online to look it up.
Can I Customize My Modular Home?
Yes. You are free to add things such as a garage and a porch to your home.
You can find the supplies at your local hardware store or talk to your contractor.
Where Can I Find a Modular Home in My Area?
You can ask your local real estate agent to help you look for the ideal home in your area. You can also check real estate listings in your area.
What Can I Add to My Modular Home?
You are allowed to add a swimming pool, garage, deck, and porch.
If you are worried about tornado safety, you can request that the home be placed over a basement.
Another thing you are going to have to keep in mind is the budget and the materials that are going to be needed.
Always check those things before going ahead with the additions.
Are Modular Homes Green?
They can be if you want them to be. Even green homes have to follow building codes.
Again, you can ask if your modular house could be green or not.
You just need to check with the company that is going to build it. Don’t be afraid to put in the request for it.
Final Thoughts
A modular home is safe in a tornado.
All you have to do is listen to the news, follow instructions to stay safe, and get into a crawlspace or a basement.
You will be free to enjoy your home when the storm is over.
