Modular housing gets Green Capability certifi cation

New England Homes Inc., a modular home manufacturer based in Greenland, N.H., has been certified as a Green Building Capable Manufacturer by TRA Certification, an independent third-party certification and inspection firm in Elkhart, Ind. An evaluation of the New England Homes manufacturing facility “Quality System” was completed and found the construction methods, as well as many of the products used in the homes, to be green capable based on various green building initiatives. This TRA third-party certification recognizes the Quality System and process controls employed by New England Homes as achieving a capable manufacturer status for production of Green Buildings. Based on its standard building practices and the products used, New England Homes can achieve a Silver rating, as measured by typical green building proponent criteria. Consumers who purchase a New England Home will be provided with a detailed specification showing how their home qualifies to the applicable standards. The builder and the consumer must then comply with the balance of the construction requirements, including the site work and finishing details, to receive a final certification through available Green Programs. Industry ratings for these programs generally range from Bronze to Silver and Gold. Consumers wishing to achieve a Gold rating can do so by selecting various building product upgrades. New England Homes is the first manufacturer of modular homes in the nation and in the system-building housing industry to meet these independent third-party requirements for certification of its Quality System as Green Capable.