Whether you’re outfitting a brand-new manufactured home or giving an older model a facelift, the correct installation of mobile home skirting is crucial for enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and the structural integrity of your home. This guide is designed to walk DIY enthusiasts through the essential considerations and effective strategies to ensure a successful and durable mobile home skirting installation.

Understanding the Basics of Mobile Home Skirting Installation

Mobile home skirting fulfills several vital roles—it serves as a visual barrier, safeguards the undercarriage of your home from animals and debris, and enhances your home’s insulation significantly. Skirting that is installed correctly regulates airflow beneath the home, crucial for maintaining consistent temperatures and potentially leading to substantial energy savings across different climates.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) states that for the durability of your home, it is critical to ensure that skirting is well-ventilated and has the necessary clearances to avoid moisture accumulation. HUD prescribes that skirting materials be durable, fire-resistant, and suitable for the home’s climate, with precise guidelines for the size and spacing of ventilation openings to avert moisture-induced damage and energy loss.

Statistical Insight on Skirting Benefits

Statistical evidence highlights the significance of efficient skirting. Studies show that skirting installed correctly can cut heating expenses by as much as 22% by reducing unwarranted airflow that causes heat loss. Additionally, approximately 15% of mobile homes suffer from moisture problems underneath, which can be alleviated through proper skirting techniques, thus demonstrating its dual advantages in structural safeguarding and energy conservation.

Choosing the Right Materials

When selecting skirting materials, consider the following options:

• Vinyl: Known as vinyl siding, is appreciated for its affordability and simple installation, making it a favored option for homeowners. It comes in an array of colors and textures, offering versatility to complement your home’s exterior. Yet, vinyl can turn brittle and is susceptible to cracking under extreme temperatures, potentially leading to more regular replacements in areas with harsh weather. In essence, its durability is limited.
• Metal: Metal skirting, often crafted from aluminum or steel, provides enhanced durability and fire resistance, though it is not as robust as concrete. It withstands severe conditions and can lend a sleek, contemporary aesthetic to a home’s exterior. The primary concerns with metal include its susceptibility to denting and the necessity for appropriate treatment to avert rust in damp environments. Additionally, it does not offer the same level of insulation as concrete.
• Concrete Panels (e.g., DURASKIRT™): These provide the best in durability and insulation, meet rigorous HUD standards, and are excellent for all climates but come at a higher cost. Concrete skirting is highly resistant to weather-related damage, including warping, rotting, and pest infestations, making it a long-lasting investment.

Choosing the right materials is critical. We’ve had homeowners literally crying because when they were replacing their old vinyl or wood skirting after just a few years, they found rot in their homes which ended up costing them an additional $40,000 to repair.

Addressing Weather Concerns in Skirting Installation

The selection and installation of mobile home skirting are critically influenced by weather conditions. Various materials respond distinctively to environmental stressors, and selecting the appropriate type can greatly prolong the durability of your skirting.

• Hot Climates: In hot and dry regions, skirting materials need to withstand intense sun exposure without degrading. Light-colored vinyl or specially coated metal can help reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption, which helps maintain cooler under-home conditions.
• Cold Climates: In areas with cold winters, insulated skirting options such as foam-backed vinyl or concrete skirting can help keep the area under the home warmer, which prevents pipes from freezing and reduces heating costs.
• Wet Climates: In wet or flood-prone areas, it’s essential for homes to have skirting that provides excellent water resistance and promotes proper drainage. Homes that are raised may find adjustable skirting beneficial, as it can be altered to enhance water runoff.

Insulating mobile homes, particularly underneath, is crucial, yet many homes may lack adequate insulation. In northern regions, it’s common to find older homes with minimal under-home insulation. DURASKIRT™ concrete skirting is designed for such climates, offering resistance to rain and humidity while also delivering superior insulation.

Preparing Your Site Properly

Effective preparation is crucial before starting your installation:

• Inspect and Repair: Check the rim joist and other structural elements for damage. Repairs are necessary to provide a stable base for the skirting.
• Level the Ground: Ensure that the ground around your home’s perimeter is even to avoid installation issues and ensure structural stability.
• Ensure Accessibility: Keep enough space around your home clear to facilitate the easy movement of materials and installation work.

DIY Skirting Installation Challenges and Practical Solutions

DIY skirting installation can present several challenges, particularly for those who are new to home improvements, due to a combination of factors related to skills, tools, material handling, and the precision required. Here are some of the main reasons why DIYers might find this project challenging:

1. Complexity of Task: Skirting a mobile home involves multiple steps that must be executed in the correct order and with precision. These include measuring accurately, cutting materials to the right size, ensuring level installation across potentially uneven ground, and securing the skirting effectively. Each of these steps requires a good understanding of basic construction principles, which might be daunting for beginners.
2. Tools and Equipment: Proper installation of skirting requires specific tools such as levels, saws, drills, and possibly more specialized equipment depending on the material used (e.g., heavy-duty cutters for metal or concrete). New DIYers might not have immediate access to these tools or the experience to use them safely and effectively.
3. Material Selection: Choosing the right type of skirting material to meet both aesthetic desires and practical needs can be complex. Factors to consider include durability, maintenance, insulation properties, and compliance with local building codes. Misjudgments in material selection can lead to premature wear, inadequate protection, or compliance issues.
4. Physical Labor: Installing skirting involves significant physical effort, including digging, lifting heavy panels, and lots of bending and kneeling. Additionally, this can be physically demanding, especially for those who may not be accustomed to such labor-intensive activities.
5. Unexpected Issues: If you are removing old vinyl, wood, or metal skirting which didn’t properly protect your home, you may find mold, rot, or pests which cause additional issues to address. We had one crew that was replacing wood skirting and insulation. While they were pulling the old insulation, a possum dropped on one of the crew members chest. He ran out of there so quickly screaming! He called the animal dracula because of how it tried to bite him.
6. Weather Conditions: The process can be affected by external conditions such as wind, rain, or extreme temperatures, which can hinder the installation process or affect the curing and settling of materials like concrete.
7. Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and adhering to local building codes and HUD standards (for the U.S.) can be challenging. These regulations might dictate specifics about ventilation, material types, and installation methods, which if not followed, could lead to fines or the need to redo the work.
8. Problem-Solving Skills: Unexpected issues often arise during home improvement projects. For instance, the ground may not be as level as initially thought, or existing damage to the home’s structure could require additional repairs before proceeding. Effective problem-solving and adaptability are crucial, skills that typically improve with experience.

These factors combined make DIY mobile home skirting installation a challenging project, particularly for those new to DIY tasks. It requires a balanced mix of practical skills, physical labor, and attention to detail, all of which are developed through experience and education in home improvement projects.

Step-by-Step Guide to DIY Mobile Home Skirting Installation

1. Measure and Plan: Calculate the required amount of skirting material by measuring the perimeter of your home and the height from the ground to the base.
2. Material Selection: Choose materials that align with your home’s style and your climate’s demands.
3. Installation: Start from the corners and proceed around the home, ensuring each panel is level and securely attached.
4. Sealing and Securing: Apply sealing materials to fill any gaps, enhancing both the insulation and the security of the skirting.
5. Final Inspection: Conducting a thorough inspection from various angles to ensure everything is properly secured and visually appealing.

By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, homeowners can confidently undertake their own mobile home skirting projects. Especially, enhancing both the curb appeal and the structural integrity of their homes. Moreover, selecting the right materials to addressing various weather conditions and preparing the site properly.  Clearly, each step is crucial for achieving a durable and aesthetically pleasing result.

Keep in mind that DIY projects may seem daunting, proper preparation and a clear understanding can pave the way for success.

For further assistance, don’t hesitate to consult with skirting experts or utilize detailed installation videos provided by manufacturers like DURASKIRT™. With patience and careful execution, your DIY mobile home skirting can significantly improve your home’s efficiency and compliance with safety standards.

Click here to learn more about DURASKIRT™.