Living in the Upper Midwest requires a certain kind of toughness. Whether you are in the open plains of North Dakota, the Black Hills of South Dakota, or the lake country of Minnesota, you know that winter here isn't just a season—it’s a stress test.

When you buy a home in this region, you aren't just buying a floor plan or a kitchen design. You are buying a shelter that needs to withstand -30°F temperatures, 50 mph winds, and feet of heavy snow.

At Liechty Homes, we don’t sell homes built for "average" American weather. We sell homes engineered for our weather. Through our partnerships with industry leaders like Schult, BonnaVilla, and Cavco, we provide modular and manufactured homes that meet a rigorous "Cold Climate Standard."

Here is why a home from Liechty Homes is the smartest investment you can make for year-round comfort in the North.

The "Northern Build" Difference

A common misconception is that all factory-built homes are the same. This couldn't be further from the truth. A home built for a southern climate would struggle to keep you warm in a Minot January.

We specialize in homes built to Northern Zone 3 specifications (and above). This means every component—from the roof trusses to the window seals—is upgraded to handle extreme conditions.

Our Manufacturing Partners

We carefully select our partners based on their ability to build for the North:

Schult Homes: A legendary name in the industry with deep roots in the Midwest, known for robust construction.
BonnaVilla: Renowned for high-end modular designs that rival or exceed traditional site-built engineering.
Cavco: A national leader that tailors their northern production lines specifically for heavy snow loads and thermal efficiency.

1. The Backbone: 2x6 Exterior Construction

The most important difference between a standard home and a "Liechty Winter-Ready" home starts with the frame.

While many builders use 2x4 wall studs to save money, our standard for cold climates is 2x6 exterior wall construction.

Why 2x6 is Critical for the Midwest:

More Insulation Space: A 2x6 stud creates a 5.5-inch deep wall cavity (compared to 3.5 inches in a 2x4 wall). This allows us to pack in significantly more high-density insulation without compressing it, which maximizes heat retention.
Structural Integrity: The wider lumber provides a stronger vertical load path, helping the home resist the high wind shears often found in the Dakotas.

photo of a manufactured home covered with snow with red sidding showing that Liechty Homes are built well for northern snowy climates — 2x6 external wall construction allows for a higher R Value of home insulation.

2. The Thermal Envelope: Superior R-Values

"R-Value" is the measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. In the Upper Midwest, insulation is your primary defense against high energy bills.

We spec our homes with High-Performance Insulation Packages that create a continuous thermal blanket around your family.

Roof (Attic) - R-50+: We use heavy blow-in cellulose or fiberglass insulation in the roof cavity. This prevents heat from escaping through the ceiling—the #1 source of heat loss in most homes.
Walls - R-21: Thanks to our 2x6 construction, we achieve high-density wall insulation that keeps cold drafts at bay.
Floor - R-22+: We insulate the "belly" of the home to protect plumbing and ensure that you aren't walking on freezing cold floors during those sub-zero mornings.

3. Handling the Weight: Northern Roof Loads

If you live near Duluth or Fergus Falls, you know that snow doesn't just fall—it stacks.

Standard manufactured homes in other parts of the country are often built with a 20 PSF (Pounds Per Square Foot) roof load rating. In our region, that is simply not enough.

The Liechty Standard: We sell homes with 30 PSF, 40 PSF, or even higher roof load ratings depending on your specific location.

Engineered Trusses: Our roof systems use heavy-duty trusses spaced closer together to support the immense weight of accumulated snow and ice.
Peace of Mind: You shouldn't have to worry about your roof every time the weatherman predicts a blizzard. Our homes are built to carry the load.

4. Defeating Drafts: Airtight Construction

The wind in Jamestown and Bismarck can be relentless. Even the best insulation won't help if the wind cuts right through the house.

Because our homes are built indoors by Schult, BonnaVilla, and Cavco, they benefit from precision engineering that site-built homes can't match.

Unitized Construction: Walls, floors, and ceilings are assembled in jigs for perfect squareness, ensuring tight seams where walls meet.
Sealant Packages: Our builders utilize advanced foam sealants and tapes around outlets, windows, and doors to stop air infiltration.
Low-E Windows: We use double-pane, argon-gas-filled windows with Low-E coatings. These reflect interior heat back into the room during winter, acting as a transparent shield against the cold.

5. The Final Shield: Insulated Skirting

For manufactured homes, the space between the ground and the floor joists is critical. Standard vinyl skirting is often just cosmetic. For true winter resilience, we recommend Insulated Skirting options.

Plumbing Protection: Insulated skirting keeps the crawlspace significantly warmer, protecting your water lines from freezing.
Efficiency Boost: It stops the wind from stripping heat away from the bottom of your home, making your floor insulation work even better.

Visit Us Across the Upper Midwest

At Liechty Homes, we are proud to be a family-owned business serving the communities we live in. We understand the climate because we live here too.

Whether you are looking for a starter home, a spacious family home, or a lake retreat, we have the "Winter-Ready" models you need at our six convenient locations:

North Dakota

Jamestown: Serving central North Dakota with a wide variety of modular and manufactured options.
Bismarck: Your source for homes built to withstand western ND winds.
Minot: Specializing in high-efficiency homes for the northern tier.

South Dakota

Rapid City: Serving the Black Hills with beautiful, durable homes tailored to the landscape.

Minnesota

Duluth: Expert advice on heavy snow-load homes for the Arrowhead region.
Fergus Falls: The premier destination for year-round lake homes and cabins.

Don't settle for a home built for the average climate. Choose a home built for ours.

Built for the Bold North: Why Liechty Homes are Engineered for Upper Midwest Winters