Mobile Home Skirting Installation Tips for New Homes

Feb 8, 2023

New Home Skirting

Newer manufactured homes might seem like the perfect candidate for easy mobile home skirting installation: they’re fresh, new, and haven’t been sitting in the elements for years. While they shouldn’t be left without house skirting, the installation process isn’t always easy and seamless, however. Even new homes are prone to imperfections, and when mobile home skirting installation comes into play, those imperfections become more obvious.

Here are three tips for installing house skirting on a newer mobile or manufactured home and making it look great.

1. Know that your mobile home probably isn’t squared or level. Mobile and manufactured homes are factory-made. And, although it often depends on the manufacturer, most mobile homes are not perfectly square or perfectly level. Recognizing this and planning for it will let you know what you are facing and allow you to prepare. So, just know that the area of the home you’ll be working with may not be perfectly square or level to the rest of the house or the ground beneath.

The good news is, the manufacturing of mobile homes has come a long way. In the last 30 years or so, advancements in robotics and technology have aided in how well homes are built in the factory. The quality truly is improving; homes are getting squarer and straighter. Not only that but manufactured homes are still significantly cheaper than stick-built homes, saving homeowners money.

2. Form your skirting material to your house, as it stands. This means acknowledging that homes may have imperfections (tip 1) and working your material around them as best you can. How well the skirting ends up looking on a home is partially dependent upon how well the home was constructed in the factory, but you can do a lot to make those imperfections look better by forming your materials well.

3. Make sure you have the right tools. Depending on the skirting you use, there will be specific tools you need for the installation. However, the tools the manufacturer indicates may not be all you need. Because you will need likely need to make adjustments to your skirting to form it to the imperfections of your house, you will need the tools to properly measure, note imperfections, and cut or form the skirting.

Keeping the above-mentioned tips in mind will be beneficial when working on a mobile home skirting installation project or even a shed skirting project. Sheds can be even more difficult to work with, but with a little patience and attention to detail, you can do it and make it look great.

Tips On Hiring A Tie-down Pro

In a recent blog article, we shed the light on hiring a tie-down pro. We recommend making certain your home is tied down properly before replacing and installing new skirting. Love & Peace of mind protects us. Read more here: https://duraskirt.com/tie-down-pros/

If you would like more information about house skirting, shed skirting, or how to perform a mobile home skirting installation project, get in touch with DURASKIRT™ at (360)419-9909. We can share more information about our house skirting product and help you with additional tips and installation inquiries. We have experience working with both older and newer manufactured homes and will be most happy to assist you.

What Is Cement Board and What Is It Used For?

Jan 11, 2023

Cement board may be a familiar product to carpenters and even some ambitious do-it-yourself homeowners, but what is it, exactly?

Is there exterior cement board verses interior cement board?

Cement board is a tough, large panel composed of cement and other fibers that comes in different sizes and thicknesses, most often ¼” or ½” thick and 3 feet by 5 feet in size. Like drywall, it is sold in sheets and can be purchased at hardware or home improvement stores.

Cement Board vs Drywall

Cement Board – Not A Cheap Mobile Home Skirting

Cement board has a different use than drywall, however. While drywall panels create smooth walls and ceilings and are appropriate for most rooms, cement board is best suited for bathrooms and other areas that are prone to humidity and frequent moisture.

Cement board is used as the wall-backing behind shower tile and bathroom tile. It is much tougher than drywall and can resist mold, mildew, and other moisture-related issues prone to bathrooms. It’s a better option for rooms where moisture, sitting water, and humidity are common, because cement board is heavy and tough and creates a great base for tiles.

Exterior Cement Board?

Some homeowners have used this product as exterior cement board for the house skirting around their mobile or manufactured home, treating it as a cheap mobile home skirting alternative.

Unfortunately, this does not work out well for them.

While cement board is good for bathrooms, it does not hold up as well outside where it is highly susceptible to weathering and a lot more moisture. When used on a home’s exterior as house skirting, cement board often doesn’t last long. The nylon component on the cement board begins to deteriorate and then the cement itself begins to crumble. This causes holes in the house skirting.

Cement Board Should Be Used Inside

It is best to use cement board with indoor locations like bathrooms where it is used as a backing for tile and helps prevent mold and other common moisture problems. However, if you are looking for skirting for your home, there are other options for house skirting for homeowners of mobile or manufactured homes.

DURASKIRT™ offers a house skirting product similar to cement board but it is thicker, tougher, and designed to be used outdoors. It won’t crumble or fall apart and will holds up to weathering and outdoor elements. If you are searching for a cheap mobile home skirting option that will last, get in touch with us at (360) 419-9909. We can help answer any questions you might have and share more information about our house skirting product: a durable, efficient option that does a great job.

Cement Board Well

Q. Can you bury cement board?

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?

Tie Down Pros

Jan 16, 2021

Tie-Down Pros – How Do You Hire One?

Tie-down professionals or Tie-Down pros are contractors who professionally install tie-downs for manufactured homes. Moreover, they are certified by state governing authorities. Certainly, they are very experienced in all sorts of tie-downs for manufactured homes.

Tie-Down Pros Explain Their Products & Services Well

These are parts that tie-down pros use.

Most importantly, a tie-down professional has a great website that explains its services well. In fact, after reading through their website you come away with peace of mind. Surely, these people know and understand what they are doing, and I feel comfortable having them do my work.

They Are Experts in Manufactured Homes

Undoubtedly, a tie-down pro knows more than just securing a manufactured home to the ground. They are also grounded in knowledge about your home so they can spot other potential problems under your home. This can be detrimental to the longevity of your manufactured home.

What Sorts of Problems Can Be found Under A Manufactured Home?

The following items and more can be found under your manufactured home:

Settling
Doors or windows unable to close or jamming.
Cracks in walls
Uneven floors
Bowed skirting.
A tie-down installed on a manufactured home.
Rusted piers
Rodent Intrusion
Making sure there’s proper ventilation.
Underbelly wrap
Heating ducts
Waterline insulation
Sewer pipe slopes
Groundwater drainage
Vapor barrier
Inspect piers.

They Also Offer Other Services

A sincere professional offering a speedy tie-down service also offers manufactured home re-leveling too. Moreover, they have a setup crew that can set new manufactured homes or moves existing manufactured homes. If you need blocking repaired they can help with that too. So be picky about who you choose because you may be needing more work done.

Tie-Down Pros Publicly List Their Prices

A true tie-down expert has set rates for installing tie-downs on your manufactured home. Understandably, this builds immediate trust with the public. You have probably been in that car dealership that only shows list prices or no prices at all. You would much rather deal with an honest dealership that sets their no-dicker sticker on the window. We also have had that salesman who asks you tons of questions to size up your wallet. I do not know about you, but it leaves me with a sick feeling in my gut.

Finally, A Tie-Down Pro Does Their Job Quickly and Efficiently

Look around for a speedy tie-down pro service that gets the job done fast and effectively. They should offer engineering and photos of their work so you can get your loan closed. Moreover, remember if you need a tie-down professional choose wisely.

Related Articles:

What Is Earthquake Tie-downs for Mobile Homes

Mobile Home Re-Leveling in Washington

Manufactured Home Tie-Downs

If you reside in Washington State and need to hire tie-down pros or tie-down professionals you can count on MH SERVICE & SUPPLY.

Get Tie-Down Prices!

Reasons Why You Should Choose DURASKIRT™

Oct 26, 2013

Reasons Why You Should Choose DURASKIRT ™

Since 2000, Creative Concrete Products, LLC has been one of the most premier homes skirting companies in the United States. We’re located in Mount Vernon, WA, it has boasted a reputation of over 4,000 successful DURASKIRT ™ installations in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and Illinois and shows no signs of stopping. If you need home skirting done call on Creative Concrete Products, LLC.

DURASKIRT ™ is the first and only place you should call. Here are the reasons why:

Affordability: Let’s face it – people are into economy and affordability. People want to save money in any way possible, but they also don’t want to deprive themselves of the pleasures of life – home modification being one of them. It’s nice that a company has reasonable rates, and will give you a quote before working on your home and potentially nickel-and-dimming you.
Appearance: A lot of DURASKIRT’s clientele have had skirting done on their mobile homes. Mobile homes kind of get a bad rap, but they are commonly known for their aluminum skirting, which leads to many issues, one of them being the fact that it gives the home kind of a ratty and ragged appearance.
DURASKIRT ™ uses the finest concrete finishes in their home skirts, giving your mobile home skirting a more dignified and classy appearance!
DURASKIRT ™ is not a one-trick pony! While many of their installations have consisted of mobile homes, that’s not all they do. They have also done installations on decks, offices, hot tubs, and many other structures.
With DURASKIRT’s flexible style, anything is possible!
Do It Yourself (DIY): While DURASKIRT ™ will happily install your home skirt at an excellent price, they also give you the option to provide you with the supplies and kits so you can do it yourself. How great is that?
Support your community and your country: DURASKIRT ™ their products for sale nationwide, and all of their material is made in the good ol’ U.S. of A! Be sure to consider getting a home skirting made of their finest smooth wall finish!
Speaking of Smooth wall…: You’re guaranteed to give a home or structure an awesome look.
Guaranteed: DURASKIRT ™ offers a full warranty. So no worries. With a great history of customer satisfaction, a loyal clientele, a company working toward helping their customers with all their needs.

DURASKIRT ™ is Pacific Northwest’s best home skirting business with second to none service.

Call 360-419-9909 today and you will not be disappointed. Our prices are competitive. Visit us always for all your mobile home skirting needs.

Related Products:

Mobile Home Re-Leveling

Seismic Retrofit Solutions

DURASKIRT™ Installation

Concrete Skirting for Manufactured Homes

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