Like every home, mobile and manufactured homes require care and maintenance to look and function at their best. While some mobile homeowners leave their homes as they are, refinishing is done just as it would be on a larger, fixed home. And for mobile homes, one of the easier renovations is siding. Replacing the siding on an old mobile home is one of the most common exterior alterations.
The good news is, replacing siding on an old mobile home is a relatively simple endeavor.
Mobile homes can be clad in all the same materials and styles as permanently-fixed homes. This means that you can also get the benefits of the same kinds of renovations. By using a lower maintenance and more durable material for your home, you stand to extend its life. For trailer house siding replacement, there are no greater benefits than the benefits that come from using steel siding.
Mobile Home Siding Considerations
If you are considering siding a mobile home yourself, it pays to do your homework about siding materials. After all, not all materials make for the best replacement siding for mobile homes.
Most mobile homes have many of the same considerations and concerns as permanently-fixed homes. Climate, moisture, location, appearance, and maintenance are all things that you’ll need to consider. When you decide to re-side your home, each of these elements will have a factor on which siding material is best.
Mobile homes can be located anywhere in the country. Like other types of homes they may be impacted by a wide range of different climates and weather conditions. As such, it is important to consider your climate when choosing a siding material.
In areas like Arizona that see a lot of sun and high UV index, wood siding tends to peel more quickly. This requires more maintenance for your average mobile homeowner. Meanwhile, materials like vinyl often soften in the sun, warping over time.
In the north and northeast, very cold temperatures can mean that vinyl siding cracks over time. There are additional concerns with needing to insulate the home as well.
If you’ve installed your mobile home on a foundation or skirted it, you’ll also want to find a siding material to match. A material that can complement its appearance will draw attention from the home’s footing.
Mobile homes can look very attractive when clad with the right material. They can take on a range of different styles. This includes siding in a board and batten style or log-look siding that can transform a mobile home into the look of a log cabin.
It’s also important for mobile home owners to have a siding that’s both durable and low maintenance. Because your siding is exposed to the elements, there’s no better investment than your siding. Durable matertials that are easy to replace are key when cost efficiency is concerned.
Many mobile homes can be impacted by things like high winds, rain, and hail. Each of these uncontrollable elements can damage the property. And this means a lot of high maintenance and costly repairs. When you choose a siding that can help protect your home from wear you can work toward helping save money on exterior home repairs and maintenance.
Consider using a mobile home siding replacement material that stands up to the elements, moisture, insects, fire, and more.
Material Choices for Replacing Mobile Home Siding
Mobile homes can be re-sided in all of the same materials as other homes. But while all siding materials are fine for a mobile home, some will function better than others for the long haul. Here are the most common mobile home siding replacement materials, along with their pros and cons:
Vinyl
Vinyl is a popular choice for mobile home siding options because it’s inexpensive and doesn’t require paint. But, it’s not very durable, melting in hot temperatures and becoming brittle and cracking in cold climates. It’s also not very aesthetically pleasing, with visible overlapping seams and a limited color range. So, while vinyl may be lower in maintenance than wood, it’s not always the best choice for mobile homes.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding gets a lot of attention as a more durable alternative to both wood and vinyl. It’s definitely more durable and it withstands both heat and cold better than either wood or vinyl. But, it’s an extremely heavy material that can be difficult and expensive to install.
You may have trouble finding someone that’s willing or able to install it. While it’s lower maintenance than wood, it still requires repainting about once a decade. The money a homeowner saves up front on this cheaper material is negligible. It will inevitably be spent over the lifetime of the product on unavoidable maintenance.
Another issue with fiber cement is its brittleness. When cracks occur (and they will with this material), insurance claims abound. Homeowners face potential water damage in their walls, insulation, and more.
Steel Siding
One of the most popular metal siding options is steel siding. Steel siding makes an excellent choice for log homes, combining strength and durability with style and curb appeal. Steel siding is available in styles such as
- board and batten
- log-look siding
These genuine looks can give your mobile home siding options a fresh new vibe. They are sure to mean immediate value for your home’s curb appeal.
Steel is moisture and insect-resistant. It is also flame retardant, which is not true for all the other mobile home siding replacement materials on this list. As such, steel siding isn’t impacted by various weather conditions or climates. This keeps the repairs and maintenance needed to the bare minimum, reducing your upkeep costs.
Steel siding comes in many colors with an authentic woodgrain finish. However, because of its lasting material, it doesn’t require repainting like wood or fiber cement. With steel siding, you can gain protection for your mobile home, while giving it a fresh new look.
This material is easy to install, energy efficient, and is one of the most popular siding styles for modern refinishes. Trailer homeowners are smart to consider this among the other mobile home siding materials.
Mobile Home Siding Replacement Cost
As you can imagine, the various materials we noted above come with different costs. Here is the average mobile home siding replacement cost, per type of siding:
- Vinyl: $4 to $5 per square foot
- Fiber Cement: $5 to $16 per square foot
- Steel: $4 to $8 per square foot
As you can see, you, per your choice of siding, can pay wildly different material amounts.
The mobile home siding replacement cost for steel is not only competitive, but actually is cheaper than some alternatives. Of course, these prices are just averages. It’s important to get a firm quote when starting your residing bidding process on your siding project.
You’ll note that the prices quoted above are purely material costs. They do not factor in total costs inclusive of labor. When replacing siding on a manufactured home, it’s important to get an estimate for labor costs as well.
Update Your Mobile Home’s Exterior
Your mobile home has many of the same concernmobis as other types of homes. You need to make sure that you’re preventing any issues with the siding you choose.
Utilizing steel siding from TruLog is one way to find cottage-style aesthetics while protecting your mobile home from the elements. Give your mobile home the upgrade it needs to look and function at its best. Install steel siding on your exterior to capture these benefits for yourself. Installing new siding is fast and easy with TruLog.
