When it comes to buying and owning a mobile home there are a number of design options to choose from. One feature that you won’t find among traditional stationery homes is that of skirting.
The majority of mobile homes will have what is called a “skirt”, also called underpinning, built around the base of the home. Mobile homes are constructed and placed above the ground. They will typically be seen seated on top of steel or concrete beams and framing. Because the home is positioned atop the ground then there is a gap underneath the home leaving much of the home’s underpinning construction, like plumbing and ductwork, exposed.
This is why mobile homeowners will place a skirt to cover and protect the underside of the mobile home.
The Benefits
A mobile homeowner will want rock skirting for a number of options. One simply is the design appeal. Having some type of material underneath your home to cover it looks a lot better than having some exposed metal beams and a gap under your home. Various skirting options are a great way to improve the exterior design of your home.
Likely the most important reason why you would want skirting installed is because of the protection and insulation that it will provide. In nearly any environment, having your plumbing and heating and cooling ducts exposed to the elements underneath your home is a possible hazard. You’re looking at probable rusting, moisture damage, and a number of other risks if the underside of your mobile home is exposed.
Adding skirting will also protect your home’s insulation. With skirting your home will be protected from having drafts of cold air blow underneath your home and seep up through the floors.
Another miscellaneous benefit of skirting is reducing the risk of having critters like rodents taking up shelter under your home.
Types of Mobile Home Skirting
When it comes to choosing what type of skirting you want to install in your home there are a lot of options. There are plenty of cost-effective options and more expensive options if you’re really interested in upping the design quality of your skirting.
Among your options, you have simple vinyl skirting, foam skirting, metal, wood or hardwood, false stone or brick panel skirting, or actual brick, concrete, and cinder block options.
Another option though that we think provides the benefit of being both affordable whiles also enhancing the design of your home is rock skirting.
Rock Skirting
Rock skirting is pretty similar to any type of vinyl panel or siding that you might put on a house. It is made out of a milled plastic material and it will typically be sold in panels that can be installed around the perimeter of your mobile home. To get it to fit around the exact perimeter of your home you or a contractor are able to cut it to size just like you can with vinyl.
Rock skirting will usually be slightly more expensive than its simple vinyl counterparts, but homeowners and contractors find that it is a sturdier option and is actually a lot simpler to install. Many will find the main benefit of rock skirting is the visual design that it offers. It gives your home a nicer and classier appeal. Many companies will also sell you trim pieces and tracks to make sure that your rock skirting has that nice professional look.
What’s the Cost?
Depending of course on what company you go with, the cost of rock skirting is going to vary. Also, your total quantity and cost of materials are going to depend on the size of your mobile home. You will typically find rock skirting sold by the panel around the cost of $40 – $50 per panel. In total, a fair estimate of the total cost in materials could end up being around $1,000 – $2,000.
All in all, if you have a brand new mobile home or if your home doesn’t already have skirting, purchasing any type of skirting is going to be a worthwhile investment. And if you’re looking to upgrade the mobile home skirting that you currently have, rock skirting is a great option to go with to give your home that attractive look.
Also see…
Mobile Home Must-Haves: Choosing The Right Steps, Skirting, Doors, etc.
About Dan Paton
