Below you will find full instructions on how to install vinyl siding on a mobile home. But first, let’s cover some basic siding information which should be helpful.
If you already know about vinyl lap siding, click to go to the full DIY installation instructions down below.
Introduction How To Install Vinyl Siding On A Mobile Home.
Table of Contents
Vinyl siding, also called dutch lap or lap siding, comes in a number of popular colors and sizes. The panels are usually 12 feet long, double 4”, double 4.5” and triple 3” wide in height.
Lap siding comes in boxes usually containing 2 sq, which is 200 square feet. The panels have a plain texture on the back with a wood grain pattern on the front.
How Much Will Replacement Vinyl Siding Cost?
Replacement vinyl costs between $1.50 to around $5.50 per square foot depending on the quality of the materials.
The total installed cost would be around $8.50 per square foot. The total cost will depend on a few things to include the size of your home, but typically you can do this for less than $5000.00.
Prices do depend on the region in which you live.
Can I replace the Vinyl Siding Myself?
Yes, you can especially on single-story homes and single-wide mobile homes which do not involve ladders. I have included detailed DIY instructions for the homeowner down below. If you do decide to do a vinyl lap project yourself, take your time and do the installation in an organized manner.
You probably have most of the tools needed already.
Do I need a Building Permit?
Where I live in central Florida usually not. However, if you live in stricter regions like in Miami, New York, or San Francisco more than likely. This is always a consideration these days with local building departments taking an active interest in all construction projects.
Permit fees are a large source of income for local authorities. Check first to be on the safe side and avoid fines.
Can I Get Insulated Lap Siding Panels?
Yes, some manufacturers make the panels with a slim styrofoam backing for extra insulation. These insulated panels are more expensive and awkward to install. They do come on some new houses and these panels increase the insulation R-Value by a factor of 1.
Click Here To Read: How To Install Vinyl Skirting On A Mobile Home – Full DIY Guide.
Things To Look Out For Under Old Siding.
Siding is not only a cosmetic addition in some cases it is used to help to keep the home dry. When you remove the old siding take a good look at the walls and replace any water-damaged panels.
The flashing around the doors and windows may also require attention. Some building department codes require the addition of Tyvek (flash spun high-density polyethylene) sheeting or thermo-board.
Discuss these issues with your contractor before finalizing your contract as these additions can be expensive.
How to install vinyl lap siding on a mobile home end wall.
What Will You Learn?
In this particular article, I will be speaking about how to install vinyl lap siding on a new mobile home end and wall. The basic elements are the same anywhere on a mobile home but the Gable ends are more complicated than the side because of the angled rake to the pitched roof.
Once I show you how to take care of the end walls and the gable end the rest of the mobile home should be fairly straightforward.
What Tools Will You Need?
- 8 ft step ladders, 2 if possible.
- 16 ft long, wide tape measure.
- Snips.
- Pencil or marker pen.
- Hammer.
- Box knife.
- Pry bar.
- Toolbelt with pouches.
- Chalk box and line.
- Torpedo or 4′ level.
What materials will you need?
- 2 Boxes of lap siding
- 2 Sticks of J channel
- 3 Sticks of starter strip
- 5 lb of roofing nails
Where Can I Get The Vinyl Siding Supplies?
Local big box stores like home depot, lowes. Amazon for vinyl siding tools.Mobile home depot and mobile home suppliers in your area. Measure the wall section to obtain the total square footage.
Subtract an allowance for windows and doors.
Prepare The Walls For The Vinyl Lap.
In this particular case, the wall is covered with OSB boards on top of 2 x4 wooden studs @ 16 inches o/c. There is one window in the wall that should be prepared with roofing felt to prevent any condensation from going behind the window flanges.
Remove any plastic shipping coverings and wooden furring strips. Remove or flatten any exposed nails or staples to protect the new lap from damage. This end wall was totally covered with roofing felt up to the roofline to cover the marriage line between the two home sections.
Mark Off A Level Line between The Corners.
Follow the line from the existing lap around both of the corners with a square and pencil lines, mark off both ends with a marker pen. Add the width of the starter strip to the marks and hammer a nail at both locations.
Stretch a chalk line between the nails and snap a visible line along the wall. Line up the top of the starter strip with the chalk line and carefully attach the strip to the wall. So long as the starter strip is level, you have an accurate point from which to start running rows.
Install The First Rows Of Siding.
Place a whole piece on 1st and a smaller piece to fill in the gap so that the seam is not visible from the road. Nail every 16 inches minimum on center. Take care to not drive the nails in all of the way in to allow the lap to hang on the nails. It is very important to allow the vinyl to move side to side as it expands and contracts with the changes in temperature.
When you nail, apply slight upward pressure to the pieces. Try to apply the same pressure to each piece for the best results.
Start the next row of lap with the offcut from the last row. Doing this will stagger the joints for better looks and waterproofing. Continue to fill in the rows, staggering the joints as you make progress towards the top.
Check the level with a 4′ level as you complete a row
Tip: If you tap or slap the new lap it should rattle freely, if not you have it nailed too tight.
How To Hang Lap Around A Window.
Best practice, try not to place a cut joint in the lap either above or below a window. Most modern mobile home windows have an integral 1 inch channel around the window to hide the edges from view.
If the window is flush, add a J channel frame around the edge of the window attached to the wall.
Tip: Add a small section of scrap siding behind the lap along the top and bottom rail of the windows to fill out the extra space where the lap is loose. Secure it to the wall.
How to lap around a door, heater vent, dryer vent or any other protrusion from the walls. Use the same principles as with the window, adding J Channel to trim out where necessary.
How to Cut The Rake Angles Under The Roof Line.
Take the tape measure, go to the top of the lap and measure in 36 inches horizontally from the corner. Make a line with the marker pen and from that point measure from the mark to the fascia.
Transfer those measurements to a 4foot piece of scrap siding. Draw a line from the corner to the top of the vertical line. Cut along the line, you will now have the correct angle.
Tip: Do not install this 1st piece on the wall, instead use it as a template for all of the angles that need to be cut on both sides.
Important Fascia and Soffit Considerations.
Mobile homes come with their own type of facia and soffit. This sometimes consists of one piece which is made of aluminium and held up with small screws. Some homes have a three piece construction with aluminium soffit, hardi-board fascia and a vinyl trim molding with a snap-on cover.
Most of these soffit and trim pieces can be loosened up to allow the top edge of the lap to be hidden underneath. This also allows for the water to run down the fascia without going behind the lap and destroying the structure.
On older houses, this is not possible. On these homes, you must install “J” channel to cover the top edges of the lap siding. It is essential that this “J” channel is caulked to stop water infiltration behind the vinyl and subsequent damage to the walls.
Care Tips For Vinyl Siding.
I’d like to share with you a helpful hint when you pressure wash a mobile home. Instead of purchasing expensive products to protect your vinyl siding, you can use a little car wax. It works almost the same and will help to keep the dirt and pollen, etc. from collecting on your mobile home.
Some of these car waxes contain UVA blockers which will help prevent your new siding from becoming brittle and cracking in the sun.
If you have any helpful hints that you would like to share, please leave a comment below.
Make Your Home Stand Out With Extras.
This is also a good time to change the trim around your window and carry out fascia and soffit repairs if needed.
You may also want to add new shutters by your windows. There are many colors to choose from to match or contrast with the vinyl siding.
These come in a variety of colors and styles and are available for under $35.00 per set in many places.