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Modular Homes’ LEED-Certified Model Home to Debut in Robbinsville, NJ

March 12, 2008  |  from greenbuildingsNYC

Modular Homes, Inc. (“MHI”) is an Edison, New Jersey-based custom modular home builder that will break ground in April on what it hopes will be a LEED-certified model home in Robbinsville, New Jersey. LEED projects in New Jersey have been relatively far and few between (though that seems to be changing), and Modular is currently in the design phase for the project. Modular construction is obviously much more environment-friendly than traditional construction, as individual components are prefabricated off-site, thus reducing construction waste and increasing the use of excess materials.

MHI homes are built from wood and individual modules are delivered with maximum dimensions of 16’ wide x 75’ long x 14’ high. Homes arrive on site with all finishes, as well as doors, cabinets, appliances, and lights, installed. Homes are typically delivered within 6 to 8 weeks of being ordered, and installation will take another 12 to 16 weeks. MHI delivers homes to a number of states outside of New Jersey and also works with Energy Star partners (including Andersen Windows) to in pursuit of energy efficiency in each of the homes that it builds. Floors and roofs are manufactured from dried kiln lumber and offer an insulating value of R-38 with exterior walls at R-19. (Just by comparison, the value for snow is R-1 and straw bale is R-54).

We’ve written about a number of green projects in the Garden State previously, including the prefabricated Suburban Prototype Home in Woodcliff Lake, but MHI is the first large New Jersey home builder we’ve come across that has committed to sustainable construction practices across its operations. Given what’s going on in the housing market, its initiative is significant, and we expect to see prefab gain increased exposure locally over the coming weeks in advance of the MoMA exhibition on the subject which opens in July.

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Filed: Green-Construction