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belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:00 pm
by Asphaltcowboy
I'm in the process of tearing out the belly wrap from under my single wide. A lot of it was damaged due to stray cats getting in there from previous unfixed holes after water line repairs. Anyways I noticed that about a quarter of the length of the trailer has the batte style insulation up in between the floor joists. The rest only has what looks like a really thin layer of loose insulation laying on the belly wrap. I'm wanting to do the entire underside with the batte insulation. My question is, do I need to put a belly wrap back up or will a moisture barrier laid on the ground suffice. I'm hearing mixed opinions about it on other boards. Also isn't the paper side of the insulation a moisture barrier also? Thanks in advance. This is my first post here. Thanks for having me.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 4:17 pm
by DaleM
You're best off putting up new belly wrap as well as new insulation. That wrap helps keep the heat in and drafts out.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 7:36 pm
by Greg
Insulation on Mobiles are designed to hang under the joists like a big blanket. If you are in a cold region you want the warm air to be able to circulate under the floor to keep pipes from freezing.

If the area you live in is "Not too cold" you may be able to get by with insulated skirting.

Greg

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:50 pm
by Asphaltcowboy
I live in southern Ohio. So how do I get the insulation to hang below the joists? Do I still use the batte type insulation that normally goes in between the joists. Just trying to picture that stuff just hanging there below the joists.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 2:40 am
by MizFurball
Somebody answer Asphaltcowboy. I def don't know the answer to this one.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:58 am
by DaleM
Outside of the I-beams you can usually staple insulation in between the joists as normal. In between the I-beams is where you need to drape it down some to form a belly. Easiest I found was to cut encapsulated insulation about 18"-24" longer than the width of the home. Working from the middle slide each end over the I-beam and pull to edge of home, staple into place. This will create the belly you are looking for in between the beams.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 12:13 pm
by Asphaltcowboy
I get what you are saying but what is encapsulated insulation?

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 11:41 am
by 1987Commodore

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 4:45 pm
by Asphaltcowboy
So the idea is to use the encapsulated insulation as both the insulation and the belly wrap? If so, do I put the vapor barrier side of it facing the ground? Just wondering because it mentions putting the vapor barrier side against the floor. Thanks for the help everyone.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 8:47 pm
by 1987Commodore
You are going to want new belly wrap also, attached below the fiberglass. Ysing just the fiberglass will leave lots of spaces for drafts and critters.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 10:19 pm
by DaleM
The encapsulated is not a vapor barrier but the belly wrap is and that is why you have to install new belly wrap.

Re: belly wrap/insulation question

Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 3:38 pm
by mattjslaunwhite
when i redid all my plumbing i reran everything above the floor so im just gonna fill the gap between the joists with think insulation to keep it warm