Champion Homes Home Buying

Not Your Trailer Home Anymore: Meet the New Prefab Homes of Today 

If you hear “manufactured” and automatically think of a trailer from the 70s, read this blog to see what you’ve been missing from this updated industry! 

When some people think about the types of homes we build here at Champion Homes, they might envision old, bent-out trailers and want to avoid that like the plague. What those folks might be surprised to learn is how far manufactured housing has come! It’s quite an exciting path, actually.

Check out these vintage photos of our models dating back to the 60s and 70s!

How We Got to Where We Are: 

  • According to Construction Physics, in the 1910s and 1920s, car adoption was rapidly increasing. By 1925, cars in the U.S. had increased from 500,000 to 17.5 million cars in 15 years. 
  • Mobile homes as we know them today came about in 1926 with automobile-pulled trailers or “Trailer Coaches.” 
  • Trailer Coaches transitioned into mobile homes after a surge in interest during World War II. 
  • In 1976, a significant regulatory shift happened when the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development worked with the industry to enact the first manufactured housing construction code.  This code really put manufactured housing on the map.   It established the consistent construction parameters needed to improve overall quality and safety standards and did it at a federal level that works for all states.   
  • Things were further refined and improved throughout the 80’s and 90’s with more advanced developments around structural load paths, installation procedures and much more.  The codes continue to be advanced and improved even today through a robust collaboration process that occurs between federal agencies and industry experts using the latest in construction engineering and technology.  This ensures that manufactured homes will always be built for value, performance, and great looks. 
The Paris is a stunning modern home built in our Dresden, TN manufacturing facility.

What the “Big Change” Means for You: 

After the industry shift in 1976, companies such as Champion Homes went on a mission to transform our collective perception of manufactured housing by consistently building quality homes that are affordable, attainable and durable. The result is a manufactured housing industry that looks completely different from what you were seeing in the 20s through the 70s.  

The Aspire is built in our Sangerfield, NY manufacturing facility and is quite the looker!

Key Feature Updates and Changes 

So, what are some of the main differences between the mobile homes of before 1976 and manufactured homes built to more current codes? Thanks to the implementation of the HUD code, you can expect to see changes such as: 

  • Manufactured homes are wind-resistant. They are built to withstand similar forces as site-built homes and are as safe as site-built homes during a storm-even on the beaches. 
  • Manufactured homes are structurally sound. The federal HUD code established structural parameters for snow loads throughout the country.  This allows for the proper use of materials and assemblies to ensure a manufactured home can properly transfer heavy loads to foundations-even in the mountains. 
  • Manufactured homes provide for fire safety.  The manufactured homes of today are built with flame spread-resistant materials, smoke/carbon monoxide protection and, in some cases, fire sprinkler protection. 
  • Manufactured homes are more energy efficient.  Modern Federal codes have established provisions to ensure good thermal envelope efficiency and optimal use of heat and cooling equipment.  This keeps your operation costs low and your comfort level high. 
  • Manufactured homes are more material efficient.  Well thought out construction practices within the manufacturing environment ensure that material usage is optimized by recycling and reducing waste wherever possible. This keeps the materials in your home rather than in the landfill. 
  • Manufactured homes go through a detailed plan review and construction approval process.   Federal codes require that all homes designs be reviewed and approved by engineers before construction begins.  Federal and state inspectors then oversee all factory construction and site installation processes.  These procedures ensure that your home meets the safety and quality standards you expect.  

Under current HUD codes, manufactured homes can be installed on a variety of foundation types. From the efficiency offered with traditional manufactured home foundations to the anchored feeling of a permanent foundation just like a site-built home, Champion has a foundation system that works for you. Check out the building process in this video…it’s pretty cool! 

The Innovation 3266F kitchen…WOW!!

Ready to step into the new and become a homeowner of a fabulous manufactured home? Talk to a local retailer today to find models near you!  

Champion Homes Home Decor

Designing a Kitchen That Screams YOU!

When it comes to the heart of the home, here’s how to nail it on the décor! 

Each part of a home serves a purpose of its own. The bedrooms are where you lay your head after an eventful day to get some rest for the days ahead. The family room is pretty self-explanatory; and does its job well when it comes to providing space for quality family time. Then there’s the kitchen. It’s been called the “heart” of the home for as long as we can remember, and for good reason! The kitchen is where nourishing meals are prepared, bonds are strengthened over breaking bread, last minute the-bus-comes-in-5-minutes waffles are devoured and so much more.  

That’s why the interior design of the kitchen is so important to so many existing and prospective homeowners alike. If you’re trying to figure out how to infuse a bit of yourself in your kitchen design, keep reading!  

The dark tones in the Odyssey Kitchen perfectly complement the cool-toned appliances. 

START WITH…

You’ll want to begin perfecting your kitchen design by taking the whole home into account. Think about how each room in the home is connected to the others. We’ve spoken in other blogs about the “flow” of a home, and that flow should definitely be considered when you want to design a kitchen that won’t stick out like a sore thumb, but still has a vibe of its own.  

Will the kitchen be traditional like the rest of the home with unique pops of color to stand out? 

Will the kitchen take on a nautical feel like your bathroom? 

Will the kitchen employ neutrals like the bedroom, but feature some brass details to emphasize the appliances? 

These are all the types of questions you want to start asking yourself when thinking of designing your kitchen.  

Carved arches and an expansive island in the Cypress Manor 5644A Kitchen make it a truly standout part of this home.

THEN YOU… 

Mix a little bit of reality with your dreams. You want to think about the layout of the kitchen and surrounding space, but you also want to think about key elements you’ve just GOTTA HAVE.  

Maybe the kitchen is separate from other rooms in the house, and you must take that into account with the big monstera plants you want in the room. Or maybe it’s an open flow layout where the kitchen naturally leads to the family room or living room, and you’ve got to think about where you’ll be aesthetically placing things. 

Maybe you want to make the backsplash the focal point of the room. If it’s an open plan home, you’ll want to make sure the design doesn’t clash with the surrounding rooms/spaces.  

Do you NEED to have a farmhouse sink? Do you really want your cabinets to be white? Really think about your feature priorities and try to balance those with the space and layout you’re working with. 

Image of the inside of our Laurel II model. The kitchen has blue accenting.
The blue tones in the Laurel II Kitchen will have you thinking about the usage of color! 

FINALLY, YOU WANT TO… 

Get to business! A local retailer can help you by presenting your best options. When you purchase a Champion® home, your local retailer will be able to take your kitchen needs and make suggestions on the best models to suit those needs.  

Ready to find the kitchen of your dreams? Get in touch with a retailer near you today!

Champion Homes Home Decor

The Light Choice

Choosing the right lighting for your home

It’s time to shed light on something important in the realm of home design: lighting! Choosing lighting fixtures for your home can really make a difference. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the details and thought processes that will help you make the best decision for your home, room by room.  

The Advantage 3276 211 is a fashion forward example of how lighting can make all the difference in a room. 

Finishes are key. 

 The material used in a lighting fixture can add a special touch to a room and should be considered when thinking of your overall design. When it comes to choosing a finish, you want to let current trends guide you but not anchor you, so that you won’t bring in a finish that’s going to date the product.  

These days, you see a lot of mixed finishes. This helps because if one fades, the other will keep it from being considered outdated. Brushed nickels, matte blacks, lots of gold (champagne for example) — those are metal finishes. You’re seeing a lot of wicker, tan, basket weaving textures paired with metals. As for textures, cane is very popular. Terrazzo, which used to be huge in flooring in the 60s/70s, is now making a name for itself again in lighting.  

Paint and application are huge because you can have one material, but it can look something totally different. People are really exploring new approaches to classic touches, which means lots of mixing. 

Go big AND go home.  

The size of lighting has changed over the years, and larger than life lights are more popular than ever as lighting becomes more and more of a talking point in a home. “Oh, I LOVE these lights over your island” has become much more common of a conversation. At Champion® Homes, we are always trying to find the best in lighting with our customers’ best interests in mind, that includes both style and affordability. 

What are your thoughts on the lighting options in the Titan Extreme 3276F? 

Lighting is important now because it’s so much easier to change the lighting out instead of trying to change the structure of your home. If you select something that allows for flexibility, and allows you to be eclectic, that decision will allow you to make changes down the road more easily. 

The Magazine

 Want to see a visual representation on the importance of lighting? Be sure to check out our models, including the Advantage 3276 211, the Titan Extreme 3276F and the Magazine. Interested in illuminating your path to homeownership? Contact us today.  

Champion Homes Home Decor

The Champion Approach: How We Set Industry Design Trends 

When you think “ahead of the game,” think Champion® Homes.

When it comes to design standards in the factory-built housing industry, it’s no secret that Champion Homes sets the curve. Whether it’s color combinations, texture choices or interior features, innovation has become part of the Champion name.  

But how are we able to predict trends and execute them sustainably? Well, a large part of it is the same reason you trust us to build your home: experience. Our team members know what they’re doing, because they’ve been doing it for a while now. We got a chance to talk about The Champion Approach with Tammie D., our Interior Designer who’s been working in the industry 20+ years. Keep reading to learn how we bring you the best aesthetics, season after season! 

Tammie D., our Interior Designer, keeps us ahead of the curve
The American Freedom 3270HDE living room is a spacious dream come true

Staying Ahead of the Game 

Champion Homes supports interactive research, which means we prioritize working with suppliers to not only see and touch emerging materials, but also develop entirely new materials. We utilize our experience and reputation in the industry to navigate important relationships, which allows us to participate in inventive conversations.  

We approach home design holistically, and that’s what sets us apart. This is key to, for example, making sure the flow of the home from room to room is sensible and complementary. We make sure the kitchen complements the bedroom, etc.  

Tammie’s Way

  • See your environment (the home and its features, the neighborhood, etc.) and think of it with every decision you make 
  • Remember we mentioned the flow of a home from room to room? Think of this as ‘movement.’ Try to gauge the movement within a house and correspond materials to said movement  
  • Have a balance of new and old! Too much innovation could scare people off, even if it’s beautiful 
  • Never underestimate the importance of complementary colors  
The Ultimate Kitchen 3 is a show stopper

It’s Important to… 

  • Grow past bias against factory-built homes (remember: it’s high quality materials used in a site-built home) 
  • Be rightfully picky, keeping the customer in mind 

Now that you know The Champion Approach, you’ll be able to point it out more easily. Take a look at some of our most notably designed models, such as the Odyssey and the Glenwood.  

Champion Homes Home Decor

How to Determine Your Design Style(s) 

Figure out how to make your home feel like “you” every time you walk in.

It goes without saying that design and décor are hugely important when it comes to purchasing a home. You want your home to be a retreat; to welcome you back warmly every time you return. And, design plays an integral role in that. That’s why we seek to offer you cutting-edge design choices, so that you can love everything about the place you call your own.  

Thinking of the “temperature” (warm toned vs. Cool toned) of your surfaces will play a large role in your personal style

Where Design Style Comes into Play 

  • Cabinets 
  • Countertops 
  • Tiles and flooring 

Design Styles for the Traditional at Heart 

Farmhouse – a style which values simplicity and rustic charm. In farmhouse you’ll find quintessential dedications to rural architecture, mixed in with pieces of modernity. 

Classic – true to its name, classic style features ornate detailing, often with an ode to nature in some way. You’ll also find texture and patterns, to add personality. 

Nautical – an age-old style that adds coolness to the place. Nautical brings what you love most about the coastal lifestyle into your home by focusing on key colors and elements. 

The Barcelona is truly contemporary 

Design Styles for the Trend-Aware 

Contemporary – a style that fully understands subtle sophistication, contemporary is bold in its use of texture. Key features include clean lines, bold colors and shape, creating a finish that is sleek and fresh. 

Mid-Century Modern – a style that has stood the test of time, mid-century modern finds the perfect balance between muted tones and vibrant colors, natural and manmade pieces, indoor and outdoor motifs. 

Modern Nordic – this minimalistic style takes a fresh approach by using a blend of textures. Modern Nordic prioritizes utility and functionality in tandem with aesthetics. 

The 528-SL has really cutting edge features, and we love it! 

Design Styles for the Stylishly Offbeat 

Contemporary Abstract 

Scandinavian – Similar, but not identical to Nordic styles, Scandinavian is meant to be a bit warmer and more inviting. This added coziness gives style a comfortable appeal. 

Boho Shabby Chic – a beautiful marriage of already complementary styles, boho shabby chic combines gentle hues and textures with bold splashes of bohemian colors and patterns. Bohemian adds punchy character to shabby chic, and the shabby chic softens up intensity of the bohemian. 

It’s perfectly fine (and even encouraged!) if your design style is a mix of one or two different ones. You aren’t one-dimensional, and it’s unlikely that your décor interests will be as well. Think of your home design as a “flow,” meaning think of how each room can peacefully transition into another. This may mean thinking of complementary colors or standout pieces. Above all, remember to get creative with it! A home is never fully “finished,” and that’s a good thing!  

What would you say your design style is?