The manufactured housing industry has grown significantly in recent years, providing an affordable and customizable housing option for many buyers. Two of the top players in this market are Cavalier Homes and Clayton Homes, both offering factory-built homes across the United States.
But how exactly do these two industry giants compare?
This comprehensive guide breaks down the key differences between Cavalier and Clayton manufactured homes in terms of company background, home models, customization options, quality, warranties, financing, and more.
A Brief Comparison Table
Below is a comparison overview of Cavalier and Clayton Homes:
| Cavalier Homes | Clayton Homes |
| Specializes in manufactured houses | Manufacturer of manufactured, modular and site-built homes |
| Operates 5 manufacturing facilities | Operates over 30 manufacturing facilities |
| More limited model and floorplan choices | Wide range of model and floorplan options |
| Customization available but limited | Highly customizable floorplans and features |
| Quality and durability varies by model | Consistent, high-quality construction |
| Limited financing options through installer | In-house lending and financing options |
To better understand the similarities and differences, we’ll take a deeper look at each company’s background, home models, customization, quality, warranty, prices, financing, and more.
Whether you’re looking for the utmost in personalization or the consistency of a large corporation, both Cavalier and Clayton offer advantages.
Also Read: Differences Between Stanley Martin Homes And Ryan Homes.
Comparison of Home Models of Cavalier Homes And Clayton Homes
Both Clayton and Cavalier offer an array of home models to suit budgets and preferences. Here is an overview of the product lines from each company:
Cavalier Home Models
Cavalier Homes produces both single-wide and double-wide manufactured houses. Their models include:
- Westchester Series – Cavalier’s line of single-wide homes from 576 to 1,344 square feet. More basic models focused on affordability.
- Cabinet Series – Double-wide homes ranging from 1,216 to 2,547 square feet. Offered in 2 to 5 bedrooms with various exterior styles. Their most popular model line.
- Manor Series – Larger double-wide floorplans from 1,924 to 2,808 square feet. More customization options and high-end finishes.
- Villa Series – Cavalier’s smallest double-wide line from 1,054 to 1,924 square feet. Features like walk-in closets, flex rooms, and open layouts.
- Heritage Series – Their flagship series with 8 double-wide models from 2,321 to 3,020 square feet. Luxury kitchens, spa-like baths, and spacious living areas.
Clayton Home Models
As the country’s largest manufacturer, Clayton Homes offers the widest selection of models including:
- i-Series – Entry-level manufactured homes up to 1,500 square feet. More basic models focused on affordability and simplicity.
- Designer Series – Mid-range double-wides from 1,200 to 2,500+ square feet. The most popular Clayton line with hundreds of floorplan options.
- Signature Series – High-end manufactured houses from 2,000 to 3,200+ square feet. Luxury kitchens, bathrooms, and smart home technology.
- Custom Series – Bespoke custom-designed homes. Build a completely unique manufactured house tailored to your lot and lifestyle.
- Modular Series – Factory-built modular homes that are transported in sections then completed on-site. Up to 3,500 square feet.
- Mobile Homes – Smaller single- and double-wide mobile houses meant for relocation. Basic amenities and budget-friendly.
Customization Options Comparison
One of the major benefits of factory-built homes is the ability to personalize many aspects of the design. Here’s how Cavalier and Clayton compare when it comes to customization:
Cavalier – Allows buyers to make moderate changes like selecting flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and appliances. More significant mods like adjusting layout or openings are very limited.
Clayton – Touts an extremely flexible Custom Series where homebuyers can fully customize their floorplan. Even their standard models allow for more layout changes than Cavalier.
Clayton clearly has an edge when it comes to home personalization. Their size and capabilities mean they can accommodate greater modification freedom. Cavalier offers decoration flexibility but minimal structural changes.
Also Read: Comparison of NV Homes And Toll Brothers.
Comparison of Quality of Construction
The quality and construction of Cavalier and Clayton homes is another area where buyers should compare. Key points:
- Building Materials – Both utilize quality materials like engineered wood, Hardie siding, and metal roofs. Clayton offers more premium finishes.
- Production Process – As industry leaders, Clayton and Cavalier have state-of-the-art factories and efficient construction processes.
- Testing/Inspections – Each company has rigorous quality control testing during and after production. Clayton’s larger scale means more standardized processes.
- Durability – Clayton homes are built to last with weather-resistant materials and designs. Some Cavalier models have had issues with moisture resistance.
- Craftsmanship – Attention to detail varies more with Cavalier, while Clayton produces very consistent, quality fit and finish.
When it comes to construction practices, testing, and longevity, Clayton Homes edges out Cavalier with their manufacturing capabilities, resources, and processes. However, Cavalier remains a quality mid-tier choice.
Warranties Comparison
The warranties that protect a manufactured home after purchase are crucial. Here are some key details:
- Cavalier – Offers a standard 1-year material and workmanship warranty. Extended structural warranties are available.
- Clayton – Comes with a 2-year limited warranty covering defects in materials, workmanship, and more. Platinum protection plans extend coverage to 5, 10 or 20 years.
- Both – Have additional component warranties on appliances, systems like plumbing and electrical, roofs, etc.
The longer standard and extended warranty options provide Clayton buyers with greater long-term peace of mind. But Cavalier offers satisfactory coverage, especially if you opt for added structural protection.
Prices and Financing
Affordability is an important advantage of factory-built housing. Here is how Cavalier and Clayton compare on pricing and financing:
- Base Prices – Both offer very competitively priced homes. Cavalier ranges from $35k to $140k. Clayton from $30k to $250k+ for custom builds.
- Payment Assistance – Clayton has extensive in-house lending and financing programs to help buyers with costs. Cavalier works with independent banks and lenders.
- Incentives – Clayton provides a number of incentives like closing cost assistance for qualified buyers. Cavalier promotions vary by retailer.
- Resale Value – Clayton homes tend to have slightly higher resale value due to brand recognition and quality construction.
When it comes to upfront affordability and financing options, Clayton excels with far greater resources for buyer incentives and cost assistance. But both deliver manufactured houses at relatively low price-points.
Also Read: Comparison of Ryan Homes And NV Homes.
Pros and Cons of Cavalier Homes And Clayton Homes
Based on the in-depth comparison above, here is a summary of the main pros and cons of Cavalier vs Clayton Homes:
Cavalier Pros
- Specialized expertise in manufactured housing
- Quality materials and construction (in most models)
- More limited but still decent customization options
- Usually more affordable than Clayton
Cavalier Cons
- Durability issues in some models
- Very limited structural customization
- Lesser-known brand compared to Clayton
- Smaller footprint and manufacturing capabilities
Clayton Pros
- Industry leader with strongest brand recognition
- Excellent quality, consistency, durability
- Highly customizable floorplans and finishes
- Extensive selection of models and sizes
- Great financing and buyer incentive programs
Clayton Cons
- Less focus on manufactured homes specifically
- Among the more expensive manufactures
- Large company feel vs Cavalier’s family-owned roots
Company Backgrounds
- Cavalier Homes
Cavalier Homes was founded in 1969 by Jim Schell and Wayne Weaver in Addison, Alabama. The company started off small, building portable classrooms. In 1977, Cavalier shifted to manufacturing modular homes and quickly expanded.
Today, they operate 5 manufacturing facilities across Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
Though Cavalier is not the housing giant that Clayton is, they still produce over 1,000 homes per year. They are employee-owned and focus exclusively on manufactured housing. Cavalier has a network of over 300 independent retailers that sell and install their homes across much of the Eastern U.S.
- Clayton Homes
Clayton Homes dates back to 1956 when it was founded by Jim Clayton in Knoxville, Tennessee. It steadily grew over the decades, especially under the leadership of CEO Kevin Clayton.
Today, Clayton Homes is the largest builder of manufactured and modular homes in the United States.
Clayton Homes is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and operates over 30 manufacturing plants. They produce a whopping 42,000 homes per year on average.
In addition to manufactured houses, Clayton builds modular homes, mobile homes, traditional site-built homes, and commercial structures. Their homes are available through 1,500+ retailers nationwide.
Also Read: Comparison of Clayton Homes And Live Oak Homes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some of Clayton Homes’ biggest competitors in the manufactured housing market include Champion Home Builders, Cavco Industries, Skyline Corporation, Palm Harbor Homes, and Modular Homes Direct.
Clayton Homes is the largest producer of manufactured homes in America, controlling around 50% of the new manufactured housing market. They build over 40,000 factory-built homes per year.
Yes, mobile homes and modular homes are different types of factory-built housing:
1. Mobile homes are built on a steel chassis so they can be attached to a truck and relocated. They need less on-site work.
2. Modular homes are built in sections or modules that are joined together on the home site. They usually require more finishing work on-site.
Southern Energy Homes was a manufactured housing company based in Alabama that operated from 1981 to 2009. The company was acquired by Clayton Homes in 2003 and the Southern Energy brand was discontinued in 2009. Today, Clayton Homes manufactures the models that originated under the Southern Energy name.
Wrapping Up
In the world of manufactured housing, both Cavalier Homes and Clayton Homes stand out as two of the top national providers. When comparing the two brands, Clayton clearly comes out ahead in areas like customization, quality, warranty, brand reputation, and financing options.
But Cavalier remains an excellent mid-range choice, bringing quality construction and family-owned service to buyers looking for value.
Choosing between Cavalier vs Clayton comes down to your budget, desired features, and financing situation. Clayton is the right pick for maximizing personalization and long-term dependability. Cavalier offers satisfactory durability and construction with more modest pricing.
With their different backgrounds and strengths, both Cavalier Homes and Clayton Homes bring advantages to the manufactured housing marketplace.
