December 2003
The use of light-gauge steel framing as a structural framework for residential construction has taken hold in some site-built markets but potentially offers even more value in the manufactured housing environment. Steel is lightweight, fire-resistant, dimensionally stable, and can be
manufactured to any size or shape. When used by properly trained manufacturing plant personnel in a manner that takes advantage of its structural properties, steel may offer some compelling economic advantages over wood as a framing material.
The research effort described in this report explores the potential of steel framing for the construction of factory built homes that conform to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code, or the International Residential Code (IRC), with the goal of developing technologies that are competitive with wood framing. This research critically assesses and refines the use of light-gauge steel design in the factory environment. MHRA first explored the use of light-gauge steel for factory building in 2001 when developing a design intended to demonstrate the economic and regulatory viability of steel for HUD-code construction. The current work builds on this earlier effort by exploring the commercial viability of light-gauge steel-frame designs through a case study approach conducted in cooperation with industry partners.
The objectives of this research tightly mesh with the goals of HUD’s "Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing" (PATH), the overall mission of which is to improve the affordability and value of America's homes through technology, including the development of new housing
technologies. Steel framing of factory built homes has the potential to improve home durability, quality, affordability, and resistance to natural disaster damage, and to reduce their environmental impact.
Prepared for:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Affordable Housing Research and Technology Division
Prepared by:
Manufactured Housing Research Alliance
75 pages