Installing Vinyl Siding on Mobile Homes
Vinyl Siding---the Convenient Alternative
The first mobile homes sported aluminum or wood skins which were replaced by aluminum siding as they grew larger. As the majority grew even larger and stationary, the covering of choice became vinyl, (polyvinyl chloride or PVC) a product that was made more durable and versatile as its use increased. According to the Vinyl Institute, PVC performs favorably compared to other products "in terms of energy efficiency, thermal-insulating value, low contribution to greenhouse gases and product durability," making it an efficient choice in addition to being inexpensive. Manufactured homes, which are built in a factory and transported to their site, use vinyl siding because it is lightweight and easy to install. Manufactured home walls are customarily built on 16 to 18-inch centers with plywood sheathing, although the 18-inch standard is becoming rare. Although older homes may require the use of furring strips to level the wall surface, most vinyl siding can be applied directly to the plywood skin.
Preparation and Framing
To protect the sheathing and insulate the home, a layer of insulation (appropriate to the climate) and covering of wind wrap (a slick, tough paper) are attached all around the house. A base line is then drawn around the home starting at the lowest corner to provide a reference to keep the 12'6" siding sheets looking "straight," especially if ground or bottom of the house is not level. As the base line is drawn, vertical "inner posts" are nailed in at each corner of the building with galvanized nails, providing anchors for the terminal ends of the siding. Curved metal "J" channels are installed around window and door frames to hold the edges of siding sheets and under-sill trim is attached under window sill noses and along the top of the wall along all of the eaves. These specialized framing strips will retain the siding but allow movement. Finally, a "starter strip" is nailed around the base line.
Finish
Siding is applied in a staggered pattern, beginning with the starter strip and working up the side of the house, overlapping edges by about one inch. Strips are secured by a lip along the top of lower strips. Siding will expand and contract with temperature, so a special hole-punch is used to make oval nail holes in strips that have been trimmed to allow movement. Galvanized roofing nails with large heads will not allow the nail hole to slip off as the siding moves and are non-corrosive. Siding ends are tucked under "J" strips at windows and doors and sill strips under windows and along the eaves but not nailed. Siding strips are attached around the house, from the base line to the eaves until the entire house is covered. Outer corner posts are snapped on top of the inner posts to cover and retain the ends of the sheets and soffits (if present) and trim are added along the eaves. Finally, holes are cut in the siding sheets for electrical plates that will house outlets and exterior lights and caulked to protect wiring.
Tags: base line, along eaves, siding sheets, allow movement, around house, attached around
