No. It’s not a fashion statement, although it could be. Trailer skirting is the trim piece that is attached below a mobile home to hide the structural elements and the foundation. It improves the overall appearance of a mobile home and protects it from the elements.

Trailer skirting is available in many materials and colors, but the most common choices in the United States are aluminum and vinyl. Both are attractive and suit the purpose. There are, however, pros and cons to each selection.

Where does Skirting Come From?

To produce the aluminum skirting used on mobile homes, manufacturers chemically treat aluminum coil to protect the metal, paint it to give it an appealing color and, finally, bake on an enamel outer coating for durability. Since the 1940’s, aluminum has been a popular choice because it is lightweight and easy to install.

Vinyl siding and skirting is not a natural material, but rather, a man-made one. The complicated process involves melting vinyl pellets at high temperatures. Resin and a number of chemical additives are inserted into the mix including ones specifically designed for stabilizing, strengthening and UV resistance. The vinyl is then pressed into molds of various lengths, widths, thicknesses and patterns depending on its eventual intended use.

Both vinyl skirting and aluminum skirting can be recycled, melted down and used again. The question of green lies in the both the chemicals and energy used to create the product in the first place. Environmentalists are concerned about how the manufacturing process may be damaging the environment.

How Long will it Last?

Aluminum skirting is said to last in excess of 30 years and, depending on the manufacturer, vinyl skirting is listed at 15-100 years. In fact, some sources state the aluminum will outlive the building it is installed on. That may seem like quite a long time, but one thing is for certain, both products outlive their wood counterpart.

Neither option rusts, rots or attracts termites.In fact, aluminum mobile home skirting is also fire retardant, which can be advantageous with some homeowner’s insurance policies.
Obviously, a number of factors can affect the life expectancy of trailer skirting, including but not limited to strong winds and hurricane-force gusts, proximity to salt water and baseball parks, intense heat and summer sun as well as severely cold winters and ice storms.
The most important take away is that homeowners should perform their due diligence and inquire as to not only the life expectancy of their product of choice but also the manufacturer’s warranty, which can be an entirely different set of numbers. Knowing the facts can help when making an educated decision.

How Well does it Hold Up?

Aluminum will last for decades. That is not to say, however, that it will still look good in 50 years. Aluminum is a soft metal and, while it is perfect for use in this application, it is not the most durable metal. It is prone to both dents and scratches.

On the other hand, vinyl products, especially vinyl siding and skirting, is extremely durable. It won’t dent or scratch. Plus, the color goes all the way through the material so even deep scratches are hard to detect unless pointed out.

The difference between the cost of aluminum and the cost of vinyl skirting continues to expand. The raw materials needed to make aluminum skirting are becoming harder to find, which, in turn, has led to an increase in cost. Plus, the manufacturers of vinyl products have streamlined their process through continued learning and experimenting.

As the above points illustrate, the decision-making process is difficult and the points to consider are many. Do your research and choose the best product for your particular mobile home skirting needs.

Resources:
Complete Mobile Home Supply offers a wide variety of supplies, accessories, and repair items for nearly any mobile home or manufactuered home. Everything from mobile home underpinning to complete kitchens and bathrooms.

The post Vinyl Vs Aluminum Mobile Home Underpinning appeared first on General Article Directory.

Whether you own a mobile home, manufactured home or trailer, you should be familiar with mobile home skirting. This type of construction often involves setting the home on concrete blocks or piers and the skirting is just an attractive way to hide all the structural elements.
Types of Mobile Home Skirting

The options in mobile home skirting are nearly limitless. Traditional metal skirting now comes in a variety of colors and requires little to no maintenance. The downfall, of course, is its tendency to dent. Once damaged, this style of skirting is hard to return to its original condition; the dents never really come out properly.

Another conventional option is wood latticework. This perennial favorite has always been a popular choice, either left natural or painted white, but newer technology has created much more exciting, resilient and longer lasting choices.

Vinyl is a much more durable product than both metal and wood in mobile home skirting and a better decision for long term durability. Vinyl doesn’t dent, rot or fade, so it is a practical, cost-effective solution for most applications in residential construction. Homeowners can choose between solid color vinyl panels or newer, simulated stone and brick options in a variety of colors.

In fact, the faux stone is a choice that is growing in popularity. It seems as though each new pattern is more realistic than the last and creates a truly luxurious design aesthetic for your home. The faux brick panels are available in several color options and give the appearance of the real deal as well. For those that love their mobile homes, it’s great to finally have stylish options comparable to those of stick built homes.

The Hidden Benefits of Mobile Home Skirting

First and foremost, mobile home skirting is designed to hide all the structural elements and grading materials below your home. It is designed to stretch to the ground to give mobile homes a finished, polished look. There are however, other reasons and benefits to adding skirting to any manufactured home.

Animals.Critters.Rodents.Pests. Given the option of climbing up in a tree or under your warm, cozy home, most would prefer to make their home directly below yours. Securely attached skirting prevents larger pests, like raccoons, skunks, and porcupines, from being able to access the area below your home. Mice and rats have been known to actually chew through flooring to get up into a home so preventing access in the first place is a great idea.
InstallationTips for Mobile Home Skirting

Skirting usually comes in 12 foot panels, which is important to know, but your salesperson can help you determine exactly how much skirting, trim and hardware to order for your project, if you provide him or her with the linear feet and average height. It is helpful to note that you should order an extra panel or two in case you damage one during installation. Heavy storms and strong winds can also damage skirting panels. New ones can be ordered, but, quite frequently the dye lot is slightly different than the original resulting in colors that do not match up properly.

Mobile home skirting is a fun, fashionable way to finish the exterior of your home while protecting your assets. Whether you choose plain, vinyl panels or the newer, faux brick and stone variations, you are investing in your mobile home. By increasing its worth and improving its overall appearance with mobile home skirting, you also have the satisfaction of coming home to a house that you are truly proud of and will enjoy for years to come.

Resources:
Complete Mobile Home Supply has prvided mobile home owners with quality supplies and advice for and about living in and maintaining a manufactured home. From mobile home skirting to complete kitchens, our staff is here to make sure your house is a home.

The post Mobile Home Skirting appeared first on General Article Directory.