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Mobile home insulation in Corning NY

Mobile Home Insulation

Mobile homes are a category of housing that is built to completely different specifications than more traditional homes. As such, they require special attention and consideration when it comes to insulation. This post will explore how mobile homes are different, and what that means when it comes to insulation.

Differences from Traditional Housing

Traditional homes, also known as site-built or stick-built homes, are built to fairly stringent standards. Most of the nation has adopted the IBC (International Building Code) in some form or fashion, and this lays out the requirements that home builders must follow. A building permit is required to construct a home, and a county inspector verifies that the home meets IBC and any local standards.

Mobile homes are not subject to the IBC. They are covered by a federal standard (HUD) that is quite different from traditional building codes. HUD standards control minimum quality and safety, but are not as extensive as IBC. This makes a degree of sense because mobile homes are designed to be, well – mobile. If they were designed to traditional standards they would be difficult to move and cost as much as a house.

Since mobile homes are designed to be as light as possible for easy movement, it should be no surprise that they are not as structurally sound or as well insulated as traditional homes. For example, a traditional home must have wood that is at least four inches thick to create the walls (commonly, “2x4” lumber). Many mobile homes – especially older ones – have three inch thick walls. That leaves 25% less space for wall insulation. A similar situation exists in the roof of the home, which is lower than a traditional home and doesn’t provide as much space for insulation.

Another big difference with mobile homes is that they often have “skirting” around the bottom of the home rather than a concrete foundation. Skirting is a thin metal or plastic sheet that hides the unsightly underside of the home. While this prevents freezing wind from blowing underneath the floor, it serves little other purpose in the way of insulation. This is one reason mobile homes are infamous for water pipes breaking in the winter – there is no foundation to protect them from the cold.

And, speaking of plumbing, another difference with mobile homes is that most of their plumbing is just beneath the floor, and those pipes are sealed off with a vinyl covering often called the “belly.” When a mobile home suffers a broken pipe, a plumber has to cut away the plastic “belly” to get to the pipes. It is difficult to properly restore the belly to its original condition once it is cut, and some plumbers may simply leave the repaired section exposed or shoddily patched. This erodes the home’s insulation and makes the possibility of future pipe breakage more likely.

Every Home is Different

The differences above are generalities. For enough money, a mobile home can be built with four-inch or even 6-inch walls, and it can be put on a concrete foundation. This adds to the cost of the home, so many people don’t choose these options. Additionally, mobile homes are sometimes built to different standards depending on the geographical location where they will be sold. Every home and situation is different, but we can generally say that mobile homes are not as well built or well insulated as traditional homes.

Insulation Options

The U.S. Department of Energy found that better insulating a mobile home’s walls increased efficiency by 13%, and better floor insulation gave an 11% increase. Installation of storm windows can also give approximately an 11% increase in thermal efficiency, but with the high cost of windows it probably makes sense to explore insulation options first.

Since mobile homes are not as efficient as traditional homes from the start, it is important to shore up their insulation wherever possible. The tiniest details should not be overlooked because every one of those little cracks, crevices, and holes can add up to one huge energy bill at the end of the month. In fact, it’s not unusual for a mobile home to have an energy bill equal to a traditional home with double the square footage.

All the popular insulation types used in traditional homes are also options for mobile homes. Some of the installation methods may vary, however, because of the unique way mobile homes are constructed. To install extra insulation in the “attic,” for example, a contractor may have to drill holes in the interior ceiling (to be covered later with decorative plugs), temporarily detach the roof edges, or drill and plug holes in the exterior roof.

To insulate the walls, a contractor may detach the bottom portion of the exterior siding, or may drill holes into the “rim joist” that surrounds the bottom of the home.

Properly applied spray foam under the home and around all pipes can go a long way toward closing the gap (no pun intended) left by the manufacturer’s standard insulation. Better insulation under the home also helps with the “dead zone” in many mobile homes – that layer of air from the floor to three feet above the floor that tends to stay colder than the air higher up. Not only will spray foam add to the insulation value under the home, but it will help keep out unwanted pests.

Because of the unique construction of mobile homes, the insulation types and methods discussed above are not good candidates for DIY projects. It is more critical that an experienced professional perform the installation than for a traditional home because mistakes in the invasive installation procedures can lead to disastrous moisture leakage.

A Sobering Thought

You should be aware that if your mobile home was built prior to 1976, there were NO standards governing construction because the HUD rules did not exist. If your home was built prior to 1976 it may have little or no insulation in addition to other structural deficiencies.

Where to go from Here

Just as with a traditional house, a variety of types of insulation may be required to create the best solution for a mobile home. This is where a qualified insulation expert will need to examine your home’s specifics to determine the best solution unique for you. And part of this evaluation will take into consideration the home’s geographic location.

An inspection by a qualified insulation expert and a consultation with that expert is the best thing you can do to ensure your mobile home’s thermal efficiency. At Koala Insulation, our technicians are experts in all kinds of insulation materials and installation techniques. Our experts bring state-of-the-art equipment with them to thoroughly inspect your home or building top to bottom, inside and out. They will give you a detailed assessment of your home. They will design a custom solution to meet your needs, and will help answer your questions about the status of your insulation. And since every building is unique, your expert may suggest a combination of installation options to protect your home from cold, heat, moisture, and pests.

Don’t forget the investment you make today will reap years of energy-saving benefits. Contact us now to schedule a consultation to start your journey toward higher energy efficiency and better protection for your home.