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Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:52 am
by kent6860
Hi folks,
I'm a newbie here and have been snooping around on here for a little while now, and find the site to be outstanding.
I have a old (69) mobile home with vertical tin siding with a gable shingled roof added to it that we use as a seasonal cabin. My question is whether or not i can update the look by installing vinyl siding over the existing vertical tin without removing it. I have been reading on here and most suggest removing old and replacing with OSB. I will be replacing windows and doors as well.

Is it possible to wrap with Tyvek and reside directly over the old tin? If not, Why? the exterior is currently in excellent shape, but would like to have a more modern look.
Thanks, and any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Kent

Re: Re-siding an older motorhome

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:34 am
by Greg S
I have sided older homes. The main issue is with the fact that under the tin is 1/4" chip board. This has very little holding power for nails and will require the use of screws for all attachments.
To add siding you need to add vertical strapping first spaced about 12" on center and around every opening. This needs to be installed with screws very carefully so as not to strip the attachment strength of the screws.
The siding must also be installed to the strapping with screws as hammering on the walls will loosen the strapping. This is done over the top of the tin and if desired rigid foam insulation can be added at the same time.

Re: Re-siding an older motorhome

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 4:13 pm
by kent6860
Thanks Greg for the quick response. What you wrote makes perfect sense to me. if anyone else has any input I would be interested in listening. The idea of adding styrofoam between the furring strips has peaked my interest, even though i don't use it in the winter it would help to keep the place cooler in the summer. Thanks again Greg.
Kent

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:45 pm
by bobfather99
I would recommend removing the metal siding, if nothing else just to see if there's anything that needs your attention. Rot, mold, or a lack of vapor barrier could be hiding underneath.

If you do decide to go over the siding, use the method Greg S recommends. I would put something between the strips to prevent the new siding from getting "wavy" over time.

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:20 pm
by Greg
Plus you can scrap the aluminum and recover "some" of the costs!!
Remember to check & possibly relevel the home first.

Greg

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:45 pm
by DCDiva
Removing the metal is very easy to do. Then replace the windows and any insulation. You do a section at a time. Replace with plywood or OSB depending on your budget.then house wrap and siding. You savings in energy cost will shock you. We replaced with smart siding, it comes pre primed with the tan color and kept on tan and painted one blue.
This is our blog it has all the different stages of 2 mobile home remodels of 1973 MH.
http://myprojects-dcdiva.blogspot.com/s ... -results=8
Melissa in WV DCDiva

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:28 pm
by kent6860
Thanks to everyone for the advise. I will weigh my options and do what's best for my situation. Probably going to go with the removal of the old tin and put up osb and wrap before siding and check and adjust level before doing anything. It's still winter up here in the great white north so I have a little bit of time to do my planning.
Thanks again
Kent

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:23 pm
by DCDiva
Do not be surprised to find the MH was built with 2x2 --that is what the tan one was made with so we replaced all of the 2 x2 with 2x4's--made installing windows door so much easier and just add ed 2 days to the project. The blue Mh was made with 2x4's lol and both were 1973's I think different manufactures --keep us updated and photos.

Melissa in WV

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:20 pm
by kent6860
Yes Melissa , our trailer is definately 2x2 construction and depending on what I find when I take it apart will dictate what type of repair I do. It probably will be at least a month before we can get to the place and will try to post pictures along the way. Really liked your blog and pictures as well.
Kent from the frozen north aka Minnesota.

Re: Re-siding an older mobile-home

Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:37 am
by Greg
If you are going through that much work, go to a 2x6 and increase the insulation, costs between a 2x4 & 2x6 will be nothing compared to the heat savings, the only down side would be the loss of a few inches of interior space.

Greg