What is a Vent Well?

Dec 28, 2022

A vent well is a component of the house skirting on a manufactured or mobile home. House skirting is the material used – often concrete board or plastic – that creates a sealed perimeter around the home. It usually extends from the bottom of the siding of the home down to the dirt.

The purpose of house skirting is to create a barrier to keep pests and rodents out from the underside of a home and also to give the home a more finished look. Many homeowners like house skirting ideas that give their home a more aesthetic appeal. Most importantly, house skirting is critical because it saves the home from potentially expensive mouse and rat damage.

Why Do I Need Vents?

The underside of the home needs air; it must be allowed to breathe. That’s where venting and ventilation wells come into play. Vents are built into the house skirting system to allow air to enter and escape from the underside of the home. They let the air out without letting rodents in to nest and cause damage. A vent well is a specific component of the vent.

Ventilation Wells Vs. Other Vents

Our exclusive hidden-vent overcomes the need for vent wells.

Ventilation well creates an undisturbed space around the vent to allow it to breathe. Oftentimes, manufactured and mobile homeowners like having a cement slab poured and having it come right up to their front door. The slab can help eliminate the need for steps.

The ventilation well prevents the actual vent from being covered up by the cement. It comes up from the vent and allows air to escape the underside of the home. Without it, the vent wouldn’t be properly exposed and the home wouldn’t be allowed to breathe. A vent well is a necessary component of house skirting in order to give the vent space to breathe.

Find Out More.

If you are looking to get house skirting ideas for your manufactured home, mobile home, or storage shed, or if you have questions about the concrete board or skirting materials, get in touch with us.

We at DURASKIRT™ will answer any questions you have, share information about house skirting, or help direct your concerns or inquiries. Our house skirting is uniquely designed in such a way that it doesn’t require ventilation well but still allows homes to breathe without letting rodents in to cause damages. Give us a call at (360)419-9909 and we’ll be happy to speak with you.

Skirting Clearance for High-Wind Tie-Downs

Dec 20, 2022

Okay, Let’s Set The Distance for The Front Edge of High-Wind Tie-Downs

CLICK TO ENLARGE

High-Wind or Hurricane Tie-Downs can pose a problem with skirting your manufactured home. That’s due to the extra strapping that is fastened to the front of your homes’ rim-joist or floor framing. Since, pictures are worth a thousand words we have a drawing and photos in order to aide you in understanding what you need to do. Furthermore, for those that prefer we explain step by step please follow these directions.

Chose a skirting material but in this case we will be explaining the use of DURASKIRT™.
After the home setup and before adding High-Wind Tie-Downs install 2″ x 2″ drip metal around the bottom of your home. (Photos shown below).
Now install the High-Wind Tie-Downs, also shown in the photos, although carefully considering the tie-down materials must be set at least 2 1/2″ behind belly-band trim or backside of drip cap metal (photos below).
If using drip metal the L-shaped bracket securing the tie-down to exterior rim-joist (framing) will need to be bolted through drip metal into floor framing. This is shown in detail drawing.

Now that you followed these steps begin using the DURASKIRT™ manual for a successful installation.

Photos showing High-Wind Tie-Downs.

Photos depicting Drip cap and hidden-venting.

You will need 2 1/2″ clearance from the face of Drip cap or behind belly-band (siding) to back of DURASKIRT™ CMU panels.

Why DURASKIRT™? Engineered Skirting

Dec 14, 2022

Why DURASKIRT™? A Component of a Manufactured Home Foundation

Reason #1 – Proprietary Manufactured Home Foundations

E.R.B.S. Make Up Another Component of a Manufactured Home Foundation. They are also great when you pit set a manufactured home. Although there are more advantages we first want to discuss the kinds of E.R.B.S. so you can determine which one you need.

E.R.B.S. Earthquake Resistant Bracing System

Let’s talk about the reasons, why you should use DURASKIRT™? Did you know, over the past twenty-five years the manufactured home industry has undergone many changes? This includes new forms of mobile home underpinning (skirting) and new processes for how to install mobile home skirting. Another of those changing aspects is the use of proprietary engineered manufactured home foundations called E.R.B.S.

Earthquake Resistant Bracing Systems (E.R.B.S.) replacing tie-downs, runners and slabs. Additionally, these systems are replacing the need for concrete. Of course, the rising needs for a concrete skirting supporting itself on native soils or gravel pads.

Reason #2 – Better Rodent Deterrence

Many people living in manufactured homes can attest to having rodent problems. Moreover, the causes for this can be attributed to only one thing, namely, poor quality mobile home underpinning (or skirting). As a matter of fact, the list of problems rodents are causing is vast.

The bottom line is the costs of dealing with the rodents and repairing the home can be well into tens of thousands of dollars in damages. That doesn’t include months or years of higher heating or air-conditioning bills due to rodent holes through insulation and ducting.

We have years of experience crawling under theses homes and being firsthand witnesses. In the light of these issues is more reasons we began producing DURASKIRT™. Equally important, we understanding people needing a quality durable reasonably priced barrier system.

Not only can it be back filled without quickly rotting away but made strong to keep rodents at bay. We also observed a problem with venting and solved this issue with the “Hidden-Vent.”

Reason #3 – Hidden-Vent

Why DURASKIRT™? Hidden-Vent Feature.

Uniquely, the “Hidden-Vent” allows continuous airflow so there’s no dead airspace. Because of its location and size, it performs well as an rodent guard as well. There are other surprising features to the “Hidden-Vent” as well:

Deters Large Animals
No Vent Wells Needed
Preventing Lawn Sprinklers from Soaking Crawlspace Through Vents
Continuous Airflow (No Dead Air Between Vents)

Reason #4 – Why DURASKIRT™ – Protects Against Rot

We commonly find that homes we inspect are rotting at the contact points of the skirting. As a matter of fact, after investigating, we find that moisture is being trapped, which is detrimental to the integrity of the mobile home underpinning and the home, itself. This has led to replacing hundreds of skirtings made of wood, vinyl and masonry block.

The solution:

An important feature is designing DURASKIRT™ leaving airspaces between the top of the panels and the base of the home. This unique feature is working preventing trapping moisture and as a result rot. This is very important for the longevity of your manufactured home.

Conclusion

DURASKIRT™ is the most comprehensibly designed mobile home underpinning (skirting). Additionally, it’s engineering makes for a wonderful manufactured home skirting product. Call 360-419-9909 to order yours.

Other articles:

How To Skirt A Manufactured Home Over 38″

Engineered Skirting For Manufactured Homes

DURASKIRT™ Concrete Board Is Exterior Use & Back-Fill Ready

The Best Way to Prepare A Site for DURASKIRT™

Nov 23, 2022

What Is The Best Way To Prepare A Site for DURASKIRT™?

The reason for choosing a product such as DURASKIRT™ is when you want your manufactured home pit set. Thus, we’re frequently we’re asked by contractors what is the best way to prepare a site for DURASKIRT™ mobile home skirting. Ideally, for mobile home skirting installation, the home should be set up level on a gravel pad that extends outside the homes’ perimeter by a couple of inches.

Gravel Pad & Access

The home pad should be excavated allowing 18” to 24” around the perimeter to allow for workers. One more thing to consider is accessibility. Since the panels weigh approximately 68 lbs., it makes it easier to have clean, level access from the crates to the home.

Excavating for Blocking Height

Soils preparation.

There are a few things to consider when preparing a gravel pad. In fact, there are three main considerations before cutting for the pad. One consideration is the soil and its ability to support the home. The soil needs to be dug into native supportive soil and free of vegetation.

Next, once the site is excavated, the manufactured homes’ waste lines need to be measured so that they have plenty of fall towards the city sewers or septic tank. This can be obtained from the factory prior to shipment. The factory will supply an exact location on the plan and a dimension from floor or beam height.

Bottom of The Homes’ Joists to Gravel Pad Should Be 31”

Lastly, now that the sewer height is established with the necessary fall, you can adjust the level by bringing in gravel. The finished height from gravel to the bottom of the home’s joists should be 31”. This provides the optimum height for DURASKIRT™ mobile home skirting panels so that there will be no need to cut panels to height.

A Word on Factory Installed Belly Band

Factory-installed belly band that leaves a 2” distance from the bottom of the rim joist to the bottom of the belly band is optimal. Some of the brands that do this are Marlette and Fleetwood. This saves time and material when installing DURASKIRT™.

Although these are the optimal conditions for DURASKIRT™, they certainly do not stop us from being able to prepare all sites. We’ve installed DURASKIRT™ on slopes and extreme height variations where we extend the framework under the home. This style is called a stepped foundation look and we will be covering this in another article with photos.

You can also find more information about how to install DURASKIRT™ on our Mobile Home Skirting Installation video page.

For more information about DURASKIRT™ mobile home skirting, call us, today, at 360-419-9909. You can also request information by completing the form at the bottom of this page (in the footer).

What is Skirting on a Manufactured Home?

Nov 9, 2022

House skirting, also known as mobile home underpinning, is the material used to cover the bottom of a manufactured or mobile home. It extends from the bottom of the siding down to the ground or to the foundational slab.

What Does House Skirting Do?

House skirting fills the gap that is exposed around the perimeter of the home and prevents rodents from getting in and causing damage. Not only that, but house skirting gives a home a more aesthetic appeal.

Why Is House Skirting Important?

Before house skirting is added to a home, the bottom of a manufactured or mobile home is exposed and open. The underside is wrapped to prevent insulation from falling out and to help everything stay intact during transport of the home. However, this wrap is not tough enough to prevent rodents from finding their way to the underside of a home. Without house skirting, rodents enjoy a freeway of access to nesting and chewing.

Unfortunately, homes with no house skirting protection or improper house skirting are prone to damages that can quickly escalate in cost. Over time, rodents can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to a home. House skirting helps ensure that mice and rats will stay away and that the home will be much less prone to pest damage.

It Also Makes Your Home Look Good

House skirting also gives manufactured and mobile homes a more finished look, closer to that of a “stick-built” house. Adding mobile home underpinning to a mobile house can add a bit more visual appeal to the home. The skirting creates a more permanent look to a manufactured or mobile home.

All in all, house skirting is both a protective component to manufactured or mobile homes and also an aesthetic one. Most importantly, it creates a barrier for rodents and pests that would otherwise have easy access to the underside of a home, paving the way for home damage.

If you would like to learn more about house skirting, or mobile home underpinning, contact DURASKIRT™ at any time. We’ll be most happy to answer any questions you might have and share information about DURASKIRT™ house skirting. If you are interested in learning how to protect your home from rodent damage, we can help.

Concrete Skirting for Manufactured Homes – How Does DURASKIRT™ Compare?

Before Buying Park Model Underpinning

Skirting Ideas for Mobile Homes

Manufactured Home Skirting Prices

Oct 26, 2022

Manufactured Home Skirting Prices

Controlling any projects costs are important. For this reason, we feel the best skirting product for controlling manufactured home skirting prices is DURASKIRT™. Especially when you consider all the costs involved topped with future savings. Not to mention, DURASKIRT™ concrete panel skirting have been in production since August of 2000. Go to DURASKIRT™ Cost!

Lean Production

Most noteworthy is the manufacturing processes have changed by introducing lean manufacturing techniques. These advancements ensure the panels are stronger and more durable. Additionally, these revisions help in streamlining manufacturing. With a leaner manufacturing process and control system the benefits are both better production and lower costs. Hence, DURASKIRT™ is more readily available and consistent.

A Skirting to Invest In

Trying to find manufactured home skirting prices? Are you considering all your costs? Look into the cost of DURASKIRT™.

Although they’re primarily sold for manufactured home skirting kits the concrete panels are also bought for other purposes. Today DURASKIRT™ kits are shipping to home sites throughout the United States. Moreover, the costs of these kits are very competitively priced when considering the overall costs over time. Of course, DURASKIRT™ is an investment.

Even more, two unique aspects to this system is the engineering and Hidden-Vent System. Primarily, the engineering helps homeowners get better financing rates. While the Hidden-Vent System, allows unrestricted air-flow under the home. This eliminates dead air, that normally would coagulate under the home.

Moreover, coagulating air can have a high moisture content. Truly, damp air can be detrimental to your mobile home. Moreover, damp crawlspaces push water into the insulation which in turn has adverse effects on R-Values. Finally, decreased R-values can cause heating and cooling costs to go on the rise.

Finally, the best reason to use a product like DURASKIRT™ is for when you are needing manufactured home pit set skirting.

Other Hidden Cost Considerations for Manufacture Home Skirting Prices

Furthermore, skirting can cause short- and long-term hidden costs. For instance, plywood or vinyl skirting can deteriorate rather quickly. Consequently, left unchecked can cause severe and costly damages to your home. More so, rodent infestation.

The results could be replacing insulation, water lines, polluted vapor barriers, and of course skirting replacement. Therefore, we recommend to choosing a skirting wisely.

Choose Your Skirting Wisely

For more information on DURASKIRT™ Pricing and the product please visit DURASKIRT.com.

Other Articles:

DURASKIRT™ Concrete Board Is Exterior Use & Back-Fill Ready

How To Skirt A Manufactured Home Over 38″

Citrol Spray Cleaner Degreaser

Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection

Oct 12, 2022

What Is Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection?

If you are applying for a Manufactured home loan, some lenders require foundation inspections. FHA and VA lenders have set rules for foundation requirements due to manufactured homes’ mobility. Consequently, their condition is a structural engineer performs the foundation inspection.

What Are Foundation Inspectors Looking For?

A Manufactured Home on a gravel foundation with an Earthquake Restraining Bracing System meeting HUD-7584.

Basically, verifying the home’s foundation is structurally sound and is properly attaching the home with the ground permanently. Moreover, that the foundation meets the HUD-7584 federal guidebook 4930.3G for Permanent Foundations for Manufactured Homes. Simply put, Permanent foundation systems must be constructed to withstand both supporting loads and wind overturning loads for whichever region they are placed.

The Foundation Inspection Report

Generally, the inspection report is a one-page document summarizing the results. Although, in cases of deficiencies, it may be longer. The information contained within the report will specify detailing exactly the findings under the manufactured home. The report will also give the exact address, owner’s name, engineer’s name, and stamp.

Summarizing Details of Inspection Report:

Structural engineer contact information
Engineer stamp, license number, & signature
Borrower contact information
Property address
Date of inspection
Invoice for a foundation inspection

Other Requirements

Wheels, tongue, and axles removed
Approved Footings, Engineered Earthquake Bracing Foundation Systems
Mobile Home Skirting Kits like DURASKIRT™ meeting HUD-7584
6 mil vapor barrier on the ground covering soils within the crawl space

These requirements make good sense for homeowners desiring a good stable home. Indeed, the wisdom in making your manufactured home feel like a house with attractive and effective house skirting ideas is worth the effort. Next, let us explore the financing options.

Reasons to Use a VA Loan to Buy a Manufactured Home

Up to 100% financing
The seller can pay closing costs
Up to 4% of the price in seller paid concessions
Up to 55%+ debt to income ratio
No monthly mortgage insurance
Waived VA funding fee for disabled Veterans
Great rates and payments
Include taxes and insurance in the payment
Down to 640 credit score
Cash-out refinance up to 100% of the value
Learn More About VA Loans for Manufactured Homes

FHA Loans for Manufactured Homes

For buyers who are not eligible for a VA loan, there is a low-down-payment home loan option available that is, FHA loans. Loans like these are awesome at providing financing to refinancing or purchasing manufactured homes. Just like VA loans, buyers that are in the market for affordable housing can easily qualify.

This makes for a fantastic combination with manufactured home prices, low FHA down payment, and FHA flexibility, owning a home is feasible. Furthermore, there are so many reasons to use FHA loans to purchase a manufactured home with land.

Reasons to Use an FHA Loan to Buy a Manufactured Home on Land

Low down payment
The seller can pay closing costs up to 6% of the sales price
Up to 55%+ debt to income ratio
Flexible underwriting guidelines
Co signors allowed
640 credit score
Cash-out refinance up to 85% of the appraised value
Great rates and payments
Includes property taxes and insurance in the mortgage payment
Down payment may be verified gift funds

Purpose of Foundation Inspection

Lastly, the purpose of the foundation inspection is to issue a foundation certification. Furthermore, the certification is what FHA, VA, and USDA loans require for manufactured homes. In fact, they will not loan unless the home is fastened to a piece of land permanently.

Foundation Inspection Services

If you live in Washington State please contact MH SERVICE & SUPPLY for foundation inspection services.

If you live in Washington State and are needing foundation inspection services, please read the article FHA, HUD Foundation Certifications. Finally, you will find the process of foundation certifications is fairly simple but necessary. And, the more you understand it will help you make good decisions.

Related Article:

Are Piers Considered a Permanent Foundation?

Alternatives To Plywood and Plywood Skirting

May 25, 2022

Alternatives to Plywood and Plywood Skirting

With today’s inflated prices people are looking for alternatives to plywood especially plywood skirting. The markets are going crazy causing contractors to look elsewhere. So, what are some plywood alternatives worth considering?

Six Alternatives to Plywood

Hardie Siding

Hardie siding panels are an alternative to plywood skirting. Although they have been in use for more than a decade, some find it a short-term alternative. Short-term, meaning, this product does not do well backed up against a crawlspace. The reason is moisture and condensation prevalent inside an unheated space.

FRP Wall Board

FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Panels) is a great alternative to plywood. These panels come in many colors and textures. Still, they are not meant to be structural. FRP does replace plywood and paint for many finishes, such as, ceilings, walls, and cabinet surfaces. What is more, they clean off easily.

Particle Board

Particle board is a material that can replace plywood in many applications. Although because it is made of wood it does go up and down with the plywood market. So, if you are trying to save money it may not be the best alternative to plywood.

Foam Board

Foam board or reinforced foam board can be a viable alternative to plywood. The foam board is lighter and stronger and can easily replace the use of plywood in surf boards, boogie boards, and snow boards. Because of its strength and lighter weight many designers and engineers are having fun developing new uses or applications.

Polycarbonate Sheeting

Polycarbonate sheets or sheeting can replace plywood from hurricane damages. In some cases, it can be used as a permanent solution as window coverings. Because of its relative low cost and availability this material is finding an ever-expanding market.

Alternatives to plywood and plywood skirting for manufactured homes.

Concrete Panels

Concrete panels are a great alternative to plywood especially, skirting for mobile homes. By far DURASKIRT™ is an excellent product for replacing plywood for longevity and cost. The ¾” thick concrete panels work well to replace plywood. There are multiple uses for these concrete panels such as, Mobile Home Underpinning, Modern Deck Skirting, Modular Home Skirting, Manufactured Home Skirting, Park Model / Tiny House Skirting, Pole Garage or Pole Building Wainscoting, Porch Skirting Options, Raised House Skirting, Skirting for Post & Pier Homes, Shed Skirting / Underpinning, Underpinning for Mobile Homes, Mobile Home Underpinning Materials, Utility Shed Skirting, Trailer Skirting Kits, RV Skirting, and more.

Related Articles:

Six DIY Alternatives to Mobile Home Skirting

Engineered Skirting For Manufactured Homes

Manufactured Home Skirting Prices

Manufactured Home Skirting Kits – How to Buy

Feb 17, 2022

Manufactured Home Skirting Kits, Follow These Do’s and Don’ts When Purchasing!

If you own a manufactured home, you’re likely required by local law to put skirting on it. However, before you simply reach for the first mobile home skirting kits you can find, take advantage of these dos and don’ts. They’ll help you make a good choice and give you more bang for your buck!

— DO purchase direct from DURASKIRT™ – Not Home Depot or Lowes

We have always sold our skirting and underpinning kits directly to the public. So when searching for DURASKIRT Lowes call us 360-419-9909!

— DO pay close attention to how it’s made

All manufactured home skirting kits are not created equal. Some are made with vinyl while others are made with aluminum or concrete. There are brands that have special vents to even out airflow. While others have a finish that’s designed to look like stacked stones. Still, more boast of being the best cold weather skirting product.

Bottom line — there’s a variety of options out there, so do some homework! For example, learn about the durability of different materials (concrete skirting, vinyl, and aluminum) and additional expenses which may come up over time if the skirting material doesn’t hold up (rodent infestations, etc.) We think you’ll find concrete skirting is more effective and durable than vinyl or aluminum and will save you money in the end. Also, understand how air circulates inside your crawl space, and thus, why a special vent would be important. The more informed you are, the better-finished product you can purchase!

— DO buy your manufactured home skirting kits from a company that’s happy to help!

Some manufactured home skirting kit manufacturers only care about making money. Once they’ve sold you a kit, they could care less if you struggle to install it. Others intentionally make the instructions difficult to comprehend so that you give up and hire them (or their buddies) to install everything for you.

You can do better than that!

A good manufacturer will be happy to help with your skirting even after your purchase has gone through. Specifically, they’ll have an instruction manual that’s written in plain English, and they’ll post videos and other tips right on their website. Sure, they’ll offer their own installation services, but they’ll also make it relatively easy for you to do the installation work yourself, instead of trying to get you to spend more money!

— DON’T take winter for granted

If you live in a place that gets a lot of snow and ice, you’re going to need a manufactured home skirting kits that can keep up with weather changes, extreme temperatures, and moisture. Because of the way it’s constructed, it isn’t good to let a bunch of snow and ice pile up against ANY type of skirting, but some kits are better prepared to deal with nature’s wrath than others.

Before you buy anything, talk to the manufacturer about how their skirting is going to withstand winter. If you don’t like the answer, look for another kit!

— DON’T forget about your other structures

Yes, it’s called “mobile home skirting“, but these kits can also be used to finish off your deck, above-ground pool, or hot tub. Skirting is also what to put around the bottom of a shed or the storage building you’ve got sitting in the backyard. So, before you put away the calculator, add up the space these structures take up. Odds are some mobile home skirting will make them look AND perform better!

Related Articles & Links:

Appealing Mobile Home Skirting Choices

DURASKIRT™ Mobile Home Skirting Kits Pricing

Mobile Home “Hidden-Vent”

Archive

Yearly Archive for 2022

Why Do I Need Vents?

Ventilation Wells Vs. Other Vents

Find Out More.

Okay, Let’s Set The Distance for The Front Edge of High-Wind Tie-Downs

Why DURASKIRT™? A Component of a Manufactured Home Foundation

Reason #1 – Proprietary Manufactured Home Foundations

Reason #2 – Better Rodent Deterrence

Reason #3 – Hidden-Vent

Reason #4 – Why DURASKIRT™ – Protects Against Rot

The solution:

Conclusion

What Is The Best Way To Prepare A Site for DURASKIRT™?

Gravel Pad & Access

Excavating for Blocking Height

A Word on Factory Installed Belly Band

What Does House Skirting Do?

Why Is House Skirting Important?

It Also Makes Your Home Look Good

Related Articles:

Manufactured Home Skirting Prices

Lean Production

A Skirting to Invest In

Other Hidden Cost Considerations for Manufacture Home Skirting Prices

Choose Your Skirting Wisely

What Is Manufactured Home Foundation Inspection?

What Are Foundation Inspectors Looking For?

The Foundation Inspection Report

Summarizing Details of Inspection Report:

Other Requirements

Reasons to Use a VA Loan to Buy a Manufactured Home

FHA Loans for Manufactured Homes

Reasons to Use an FHA Loan to Buy a Manufactured Home on Land

Purpose of Foundation Inspection

Foundation Inspection Services

Alternatives to Plywood and Plywood Skirting

Six Alternatives to Plywood

Hardie Siding

FRP Wall Board

Particle Board

Foam Board

Polycarbonate Sheeting

Concrete Panels

Manufactured Home Skirting Kits, Follow These Do’s and Don’ts When Purchasing!

— DO purchase direct from DURASKIRT™ – Not Home Depot or Lowes

— DO pay close attention to how it’s made

— DO buy your manufactured home skirting kits from a company that’s happy to help!

You can do better than that!

— DON’T take winter for granted

— DON’T forget about your other structures

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