Should I Insulate My Mobile Home Skirting?

Should I insulate my mobile home skirting? As the cold months creep up on us, you’re probably beginning to think about keeping warm this winter. The question is – can your home’s existing insulation keep you toasty? Or do you need to reinforce it with insulated skirting?

Today we’re going to talk about the pros and cons of insulated skirting. Is what you get worth the cost you pay? We hope that by the end of this article you’ll be able to decide if insulated mobile home skirting is the right investment for you.

Should I insulate my mobile home skirting?

Insulated mobile home skirting is basically a step up from your standard vinyl skirting. Therefore, it is a bigger investment. Before you dive into this headfirst, consider the fact that you’ll be spending more money than you typically would on mobile home skirting. However, you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth. Insulated mobile home skirting can help with common mobile home issues, such as:

• Low energy efficiency 
• Animals and other pests
• Cheap materials/products that have short lifespans

If you struggle with any one of these problems, then you should certainly consider insulating your mobile home skirting. Let’s dig deeper and discover exactly how insulated skirting can make your life easier.

FAQ: Can it save on energy costs?

It certainly can. If installed properly, insulated mobile home skirting can save you a lot of money. If you notice that your energy costs are through the roof in summer and winter (the seasons with the most extreme temps), then most likely you have an energy-efficiency issue on your hands. Keeping air contained inside your home is important if your HVAC system is going to do its job. 

Chances are, most of that lost heat and air-conditioning is escaping out the bottom of your mobile home. Remember that there’s nothing but a piece of skirting between your mobile home’s underbelly and the great outdoors! The thicker and more insulated that skirting is, the warmer (in winter) or cooler (in summer) your house will be.

More pros!

There are other factors that you should consider when investing in insulated mobile home skirting. When asking “should I insulate my mobile home skirting?” here are a few extra perks that we think you should know about. One is the ability you’ll have to keep animals out from under your home. Unless you were to leave a vent open, it’s virtually impossible for an animal to bypass the security of insulated skirting. 

It’s also really hard to destroy insulated mobile home skirting, unlike the flimsy vinyl that’s standard on most mobile homes. Insulated skirting has a long lifespan. Don’t plan on replacing it too often! It won’t get holes or rips like other skirting materials tend to. In fact, insulated mobile home skirting should last as long as the actual house does. If not, it is easy to replace. Just switch out the damaged panel for a new one.

The best insulated mobile home skirting

When you Google “insulated mobile home skirting,” you’ll notice that Skirting Direct will pop up first. They have many great option available, such as their standard insulated skirting with 1” foam insulation, as well as their faux-rock insulated option.

Wisely Insulated Skirting is another great option. They also have step-by-step videos for easy, DIY installation.

Proper ventilation and why it’s important

Ventilation is crucial. If insulated skirting is not properly ventilated, mold will appear, along with condensation and – eventually – rot. You’ll need to install at least eight vents for proper ventilation. If this is not done, your entire mobile home will suffer for it. Most likely, other areas of you home will be affected and need to be repaired. In the end, you’ll pay more than you originally did to install the insulated skirting.

We know it sounds counterintuitive to put vents on the skirting when you’re trying to keep air in as much as possible. But a lack of ventilation will actually work against you. 

Do yourself a favor and ventilate your mobile home skirting. That way, it won’t come back to bite you later.

Yay or nay?

So if you’re still asking “should I insulate my mobile home skirting?” here’s the short answer: Insulating your mobile home skirting is entirely optional. Make a decision based on your budget and needs. Do you have a little extra money to spend on a more expensive option plus a ventilation system? Is your mobile home drafty in the winter? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you should go for it! Insulation is a great investment, but it is that – an investment.