Plywood & Cement Siding Use In Crawl Spaces as Skirting
Beginning in the 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s continuing into the 2000’s plywood, cement siding was a staple in the manufactured home industry. What’s more, there were no regulations for skirting products being used to enclose crawls. Finally, years into their use we have seen widespread failure with rotting, rodent infested homes. Why? What happened?
Reasons for Their Use
Money. As you may surmise, cost is always the driving factor for decisions. Likewise, both Plywood & Cement Siding are easy candidates for skirting homes. The reasons are simple, cost and ease of use. They also are easy to attach to a wooden framework and paint to match the home. At first they look great and in a subdivision of new homes they appear normal and secure. Compared to the old subdivisions these homes showed well. Likewise, new buyers, not wanting anything to do with looking like their grandparents, viewed these homes as modern.
However, there was an underlying problem that would begin to appear as time went on. Rain, humidity and temperature changes began to reveal their weakness. Moreover, a question emerges as rodents began to chew their way in and rot began to set in. Besides, with rising replacement costs, also expensive repairs to the undersides of these homes like new insulation and plumbing. The obvious culprit being the skirting. Why the failure? What was being overlooked?
Why the failure? What was being overlooked?
Rotten treated plywood with a hole made by rodents.
Reasons for Their Failure
Let’s begin with the old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pond a cure.” Getting back to the reasons for failure. Plywood and cement board products were not meant to be used for crawl spaces. Simply put, they do not hold up to constant moisture being expelled from the crawlspaces. For example, many of these products were never meant to be used as skirting they were meant to be used as siding. Although clearly, they make great siding products!
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pond a cure.”
As a lesson, always look for products that say they’re made for skirting use. Of course, skirting product manufactures take into consideration the elements that a crawlspace enclosing material must endure. Undoubtedly, crawlspaces are the primary defense to the living space. Hence, I feel the following consideration must be:
- Weather
- Moisture contact
- Weed Eaters
- Rodents
- Venting
Some Things To Consider
Personally, I have been installing and replacing skirting products for more three decades. Usually, I get a call stating, “I have rodents” can you help me? Of course, this is only the beginning. Actually, what many people don’t realize the potentially tremendous cost this has already caused. Over and over I have witnessed thousands of dollars…$25,000 and upwards for not only skirting replacements but insulation, piping, vapor barrier, cleanup, transport barrier and more. As it happens, this could have been prevented. And, it’s not just because I invented a solution, but that the solution came from the desire to help people.
New Regulations
As it happens, when problems begin to arise regulators begin to look for solutions. Some jurisdictions have been moving to help residents by forcing them to re-skirt their homes with approved materials. I am not necessarily a fan of this approach, but it does make sense from the alternative of waiting for a major problem to burst forth. Still, if this is you and you are without means to purchase new skirting this can pose a burden. I do feel for you.
Fortunately, I have been working on this solution for both new and used homes for quite some time and I feel DURASKIRT™ is the best solution. Actually, it is real concrete and best of all, it is considered a waterproof concrete.
DURASKIRT™
Yes, I had a hand in getting DURASKIRT™ to where it is today. Considering all skirting products available, I know I would use DURASKIRT™. Why? Because DURASKIRT™ is designed to provide protection to your manufactured home investment. I offer samples of the product if you are seriously considering my skirting. Yes, I do charge for shipping the sample but I will credit that back if you order my skirting. So, order a DURASKIRT™ Sample now!
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