Manufactured Housing Walls That Provide Satisfactory Moisture Performance in AllClimates

摘要

We used the MOIST Computer Model to conduct a detailed analysis of the moistureperformance of one wall typical of current construction practice in manufactured housing, and two new alternative wall designs with potential for better moisture performance in a wider variety of climates. The analysis showed that the current-practice wall with an interior vapor retarder performed acceptably in a cold climate (Madison, WI), but poorly in a hot and humid climate (Miami, FL). The alternative wall designs both exhibited satisfactory moisture performance in the cold climate and the hot and humid climate, even with moderately severe indoor conditions. The alternative wall designs also performed satisfactorily in a mixed climate (Little Rock, AR). These alternative wall designs should be of interest to the manufactured housing industry, which distributes homes to all climatic regions of the United States.