Mobile homes are an affordable and comfortable living option!
These homes are cozy and give you enough space to live comfortably along with your family and pets. And the best thing about these types of houses is that you can get one at just the price of an apartment!
Mobile homes are the perfect residential option for those who want to live a modest lifestyle and save more money for future plans. That’s why these days, a lot of people prefer to live in manufactured homes.
Mobile homes are like self-contained or prefabricated structures that are placed on the ground at one particular place and used as permanent living accommodation. When these homes are built, there is some space between the ground, and the bottom of the home remains open. Trailer skirting is the best solution to cover this space and make your home.
Are you living in a mobile home and looking for some skirting ideas?
If yes, you’re landed on the right page. Today in this blog, we’re going to tell you everything about mobile home skirting! So keep on reading!
Skirting is available in so many different designs, styles, and materials. From metal ones to wood trailer house skirting, you can select the one according to your requirements. You can even pick the one as per their different insulating properties and aesthetic qualities.
Other than this, there are also many benefits of using skirting, such as they act as a barrier to cover the empty space and keep away wild animals. Plus, it also makes the house look more appealing. So let’s start with what it is actually and the types of skirting for mobile homes.
What Is Mobile Home Skirting?
Mobile Home skirting, sometimes also known as “mobile home underpinning,” is a barrier used to protect the underside of the manufactured unit (Home).
This skirting is usually made from hard materials to keep your home safe from all kinds of possible threats, including cold, animals, water, and snow. Apart from this, skirting also plays an important role in your home’s exterior design as it adds a polished and put-together look.
So what’s the real use of skirting? Why should you use skirting for mobile homes? Here’s why:
Major Benefits of Skirting for Mobile Homes
Whether you want to cover the underpinning of your mobile home or just want to make your exteriors look more attractive, skirting is the answer!
Here are some more advantages of mobile home skirting:
Skirting protects your home from rodent infestations.
It provides protection to the pipes.
It protects other home underpinnings from the natural elements.
It encloses the space under your house; thus, it is also helpful in stabilizing in-home temperatures.
With the help of skirting, you can prevent moisture buildup that can lead to severe hazardous mold growths.
Mobile home skirting adds curb appeal to the manufactured property.
If you‘ve small kids in your family, you should always consider skirting as it makes your space safer by covering that gap between the mobile and ground. Apart from this, mobile home skirting can also help lower insurance costs.
Types of Mobile Home Skirting Panels
So the next question is, what type of skirting is best for your home?
As there are so many different types of skirting for mobile homes available in the market, that’s why sometimes it is a bit difficult to find the right one. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks and comes at different prices.
Plus, each one looks completely different from the other and gives your space a completely different look. So whether you want a modern look, minimal design, or bold ones, you can create any exterior look by selecting a particular kind of skirting.
Here are the top mobile home skirting ideas:
1. Vinyl Skirting
Price: $360-$1,300
Vinyl skirting is one of the popular mobile home skirting choices right now. Thanks to its cost-effective nature and ease of installation, people just love this traditional skirting solution for their homes.
Vinyl panels or skirting for mobile homes are available in different thicknesses and textures. Installation of these panels is also quite easy and fast. These panels are usually installed using four distinct products: panels, ground track, top back, and top front.
So if you’re looking for an option that isn’t heavy on your wallet and gives a pleasant look to your home exteriors, go for this type of skirting.
Note:
Insulated Vinyl skirting for colder climates and winter months usually cost double than single-layer vinyl skirting.
2. Metal or Tin Skirting
Price: $500-$2000
Do you want something durable that also makes your mobile home exteriors look pretty? Go with metal skirting!
Metal skirting is available in different types, such as flat metal skirting and imprinted metal skirting with wonderful designs. Brick-stamped metal skirting is trendy right now. Depending on their kind, these types of skirting can be cheap, like tin skirting, or quite expensive, like steel skirting.
The installation of these skirting is easy as they come in panels. You can install them just like vinyl skirting with predrilled holes in them. The only part that you have to do carefully is to drill holes in the metal materials. If you want to add some more thickness, you can also add plywood.
Are you thinking about why metal skirting is so popular these days? This is because metal underpinning is extremely durable and gives good strength to the house. Apart from this, the installation cost is also low. They provide excellent protection against insects and harsh weather conditions.
So if this is all you want, you can go with any metal skirting.
3. Concrete Skirting
Price: $680-$1,500
If you’re looking for a solid and permanent skirting idea, concrete skirting will be the best choice for you.
Also known as stucco skirting, concrete skirting is perfect for those mobile homes which are in regions where there are issues of rot, mold, and pests. It has a special design that provides excellent ventilation, so there will be no moisture buildup under your mobile house.
Compared to another skirting like vinyl, it is on the more expensive side. Not only this, but it is also more difficult to install as professionals are required. That’s why it is advised to go with concrete skirting only when you’re planning to stay at a single place for a long time. But if you want sturdiness, reliability, and insulation protection, you can definitely select this type of mobile home skirt.
4. Brick Skirting
Price: $700-$2500
If you want to make your home appear more stylish and be distinctive from the crowd, you can go with the brick skirting. You can even use recycled bricks in your underpinning as it will be more affordable. With this type of mobile home brick skirting, your trailer will have a traditional look with a modern touch.
Brick skirting is pretty similar to the concrete one, but that doesn’t mean that your manufactured home has a permanent foundation now.
This skirting will last for many years and provide great protection when it comes to durability. Another great thing about them is that they hardly get any repairs and changes.
However, the installation can only be done by professionals; to build this digging, a foundation is required, and after this, a concrete base can be prepared. Once the base is dried and ready, the bricks can be laid.
Note:
Those who don’t want to go through this process can opt for faux brick skirting panels.
5. Foam Skirting (or Insulated Vinyl Skirting)
Price: $1000-$3000
Do you have plans to build your mobile home in a colder region or area?If yes, it’s best to go with foam skirting.
Foam skirting is well known for its insulating properties. But they are really, really expensive!
The reason behind their high price is that they’re highly energy efficient. Some manufacturers claim that foam skirting can reduce energy loss by about 20% or more.
Foam skirting comes in 2-ft panels, whereas the other skirting types come in 4-5ft panels. You can install these panels as a standalone solution, used in front of existing skirting installations, or used as backing.
These panels are extremely durable, and they’re flame retardant and also don’t scratch or dent. Plus, they don’t require extra framing or foundation setting. Amazing, right? Wait, there is more!
Yes, foam skirting is available in a variety of colors and textures. So you can select the one and give your house exteriors a striking look. And another fascinating thing about foam skirting is that you can also use it as an extra layer of insulation beneath and in front of other types of skirting materials.
6. Plywood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), or t-111 Skirting
Price: Varies
Another skirting option that you can try is wood-based materials like plywood and OSB board. Wood is always considered as one of the best materials in construction; however, it isn’t the best option for skirting. You can go with it, but you have to take care of it really well.
Mobile homes with low moisture and wet environment can go with mobile home wood skirting ideas. Among all the other skirting materials, wood is most susceptible to rot and insects. It absorbs water fast and also can swell and shrink with temperatures and humidity.
To overcome this issue, you can use a water resistance material underneath the plywood. This will protect the panels from exposure to water or moisture and increase their life.
7. Faux Stone Skirting
Price: $1,000-$2,800
At first glance, anyone will think that these are the real stone skirting, but here’s the twist! Yes, they appear like real ones, but they’re not!
Faux stone skirting is sometimes considered similar to rock skirting; however, they’re a bit different from each other. Faux stone skirting comes in panels that have a pretty similar texture to real stone.
These panels are made from polyurethane; that’s why they’re super durable and strong. Compared to vinyl skirting, faux stone skirting is a bit expensive, but they raise the house’s value.
Quite simple to install, these faux ones are available in so many different colors and designs. If your budget allows, you can go with this kind of manufactured home skirting.
Mobile Home Skirting: Things to Consider
After deciding which trailer skirting option you’ll be going with, here are some things that you should consider before placing the order.
Time Period
Just like normal homes, mobile homes also require regular maintenance. A skirting can last 5-15 years. So depending on the location and how long you’re going to stay, you can pick the skirting material. If you’re planning to live for many years, you can with durable skirting options like concrete and brick skirting.
Local Regulations
This is so important. Before installing any type of skirting, you should know the local regulations and guidelines.
FHA loans are, also known as HUD loans (Department of Housing and Urban Development), have guidelines for mobile homes with skirting:
Self-supporting
Have access opening
Rest on a concrete footing
Permanent wall to enclose the foundation
Installation Kits
If you’re planning to install the skirting by yourself, you should look for the installation kits. Many companies and stores sell skirting kits. They do come at a higher price, but they can save you a lot of time.
Where to Buy Mobile Home Skirting?
The last step in the mobile home skirting planning process is buying the underpinning.
So the question is, where can you buy these gorgeous skirting to make your mobile home beautiful?
There are a lot of factors you should keep in mind while buying skirting, such as price, service, and support. It would be best if you always bought the skirting from an authentic place so that you’ll get the right product at the right price.
Here’s the list of places or, more appropriately, three main ways from which you can get your favorite skirting:
1. Big Box Stores
The first option is to buy from the home improvement stores. You go to retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, Menard, or anyone that is available in your area/country. These stores have popular skirting in various materials like brick, blocks, and vinyl. However, there is no installation or service. So you have to either do it yourself or hire a professional.
2. Local Mobile Home Parts Store and Dealers
If you live in an area where there are many manufactured homes, you can easily find the mobile home parts store. However, these stores don’t offer much in the skirting types, but they can order the specific type from the main manufacturer.
The best thing about these stores is that they often offer ancillary parts and upgrade services.
3. Purchase Mobile Home Skirting Online
Why go to the stores when the same thing is available online!
Even online, you get plenty of options in skirting in terms of styles, colors, and materials. These online shops provide material calculators, video walkthroughs for installation, and printable guides. This makes everything so easy and convenient. That’s why many people prefer purchasing mobile skirting online instead of going to the stores.
Some of our favorite shops are:
Mobile Home Parts Store
Amazon
SkirtingDirect.com
Mobile Home Parts Depot
Apart from these, there are also tons of other shops and options that you can try.
Mobile Home Skirting: Which is Best?
Conclusion
So which mobile home skirting option do you like the most? Mobile home underpinning has so many benefits, from protecting your house from insects and animals to harsh weather conditions. Apart from adding an attractive factor to the home, they also control the moisture, preventing mold.
Select the skirting material according to the location, weather conditions, and of course, your budget. So, add a finishing touch to your home and make it look more polished and presentable.
So, this is all about mobile home skirting. I hope this blog on underpinning for mobile homes has given you some ideas and inspiration to transform your mobile house exteriors with the help of skirting. If this post was helpful and informative, share it with your friends and family members.
