How To Skirt A Manufactured Home On Slopes Over 38″
How Do You Skirt A Manufactured Home on A Sloped Lot?
If you have a sloped lot for your mobile home, you may know that mobile home skirting installation on sloped lots can be a challenge. For almost 25 years, we have been skirting manufactured homes across the United States. Sometimes, though, it can be a thought-provoking experience.
Why Sloped Lots Require a Different Skirting Approach
Skirting a manufactured home on level ground is usually much more straightforward. The panels are often close to the same height all the way around the home, making the installation process easier to plan. A sloped lot is different because one side of the home may sit much higher off the ground than the other. This creates uneven spaces, taller openings, and areas where standard skirting methods may not provide the best appearance or protection.
When a home is placed on a slope, the skirting needs to do more than simply cover the crawlspace. It must follow the grade of the land, help protect the underside of the home, and create a finished appearance that looks intentional instead of patched together. This is why planning the step-downs, framing, bracing, and panel placement is so important.
Being the manufacturer of DURASKIRT™, we are sometimes asked, “How high do your mobile home skirting panels reach?” Our answer is always, “as high as you need.” The reason we say that is because we have ways to accomplish almost any height.
Planning Before Installation
Before beginning a mobile home skirting installation on a sloped lot, take time to measure the height around the entire home. Start at the lowest point and work your way around to the highest point. This will help you determine where step-downs are needed and how tall the skirting panels may need to be in each section.
It is also important to think about drainage. Water should be directed away from the home whenever possible. Poor drainage can create moisture problems under the home and may affect the life of some skirting materials. Because DURASKIRT™ panels can be buried into the ground, they provide a strong option for areas where the skirting needs to meet uneven soil while still maintaining a clean, finished look.
Use DURASKIRT™ For Breaking Through the Ground
There has always been a demand for mobile home skirting to look like an extension of the home. This, however, can be a problem for wood skirting because wood should not be in direct contact with the soil. On a sloped lot, this issue becomes even more important because some areas of the skirting may need to extend lower than others.
Why Ground Contact Matters
One of the biggest concerns with skirting on sloped lots is ground contact. Some materials are not designed to touch soil, which can lead to rotting, warping, or damage over time. Wood, in particular, should be kept away from direct soil contact. This is why maintaining at least 6 inches between wood and dirt is so important.
DURASKIRT™ is designed differently. Since it is made for ground burial, it can be installed below grade and back-filled properly. This helps create a stronger barrier around the base of the home and can also help discourage rodents and pests from getting underneath the structure.
By using both DURASKIRT™ and wood, you can achieve the site-built appearance many manufactured homeowners want, even on a sloped lot. Just imagine no more rotting skirting and improved rodent prevention. We recommend keeping wood at least 6 inches away from the dirt, so plan your siding step-downs accordingly.

How to skirt a manufactured home on a sloped lot.
How to Frame Step-Downs on Sloped Lots
Using standard framing materials and siding to match, extend siding to form step-downs that conform to the slope. Remember to add paper under the siding to prevent moisture from entering the crawlspace. After the framing is installed under the home’s exterior rim joist, brace it back to the I-beams for added support. See photo.
Creating a Finished, Site-Built Look
Many manufactured homeowners want their home to look more like a traditional site-built home. On sloped lots, this can be difficult if the skirting simply follows the ground without a clear design plan. Step-down framing helps solve this problem by allowing the siding above the DURASKIRT™ panels to match the home while the concrete skirting below handles the ground-contact portion.
This combination gives the home a cleaner and more permanent appearance. Instead of having one long, uneven skirting wall, the step-downs create visual breaks that follow the slope naturally. When the siding, lap reveals, trim, and skirting are planned carefully, the finished result looks like it was built as part of the home from the beginning.
Things to Keep in Mind

Showing the siding and framing stepping down. Ready to install DURASKIRT™ concrete panels below.
- Framing should line up with the house above.
- Siding should match the brand and style of the home.
- Lap siding reveals should be the same as the home.
- Framing must be braced adequately to support back-filling DURASKIRT™.
- Wood should be no closer than 6 inches away from the soil.
- Use hot-dipped galvanized nails into siding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is allowing wood skirting or framing to sit too close to the soil. This can lead to moisture damage and future repairs. Another mistake is failing to brace the framing properly before back-filling. DURASKIRT™ panels are strong, but the surrounding framing must also be built with proper support.
Homeowners should also avoid ignoring drainage around the home. Even the best skirting system should be installed with water movement in mind. Proper grading, coarse rock back-fill, and thoughtful planning can make a big difference in the long-term performance of the skirting.
Once all the framing is braced, papered and sided, it’s time for the mobile home skirting installation by adding DURASKIRT™. We recommend digging DURASKIRT™ into the soil a minimum of 6” and back-filling with a coarse rock. This helps to prevent rodents from digging under the mobile home skirting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skirting a Manufactured Home on a Sloped Lot
Can manufactured home skirting be installed on a steep slope?
Yes. Manufactured home skirting can be installed on a steep slope, but it usually requires a more customized approach. Step-down framing, proper bracing, and skirting panels that can handle ground burial make the project much more manageable.
How tall can mobile home skirting be?
The height depends on the home, the lot, and the installation method. With DURASKIRT™, panels can be used in a way that allows the skirting to reach the height needed for the project, especially when combined with proper framing on sloped areas.
Should skirting be buried in the ground?
Some skirting materials should not be buried, but DURASKIRT™ is made for ground burial. Burying the panels at least 6 inches and back-filling with coarse rock can help create a stronger barrier and reduce the chance of rodents digging underneath.
Why use a hybrid skirting method on a sloped lot?
A hybrid method uses siding and framing for the upper step-down areas while using DURASKIRT™ concrete panels near the ground. This helps keep wood away from soil while still giving the home a clean, site-built appearance.
Finally, your home will have the finished appearance of a site-built home. With the right step-down framing and DURASKIRT™ concrete panels, even a manufactured home on a sloped lot can look clean, permanent, and well-protected. Your friends and neighbors may be surprised to learn it is, in fact, a manufactured home. Furthermore, if you have not begun your search for a new mobile home, you may want to read our article, “Finding The Best Mobile Home Brands.“
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