Steps can be made of a variety of different materials. Your choice depends on the ground conditions, your budget, building regulations and visual appeal. The main contenders are:
- Precast concrete.
- Aluminum and wood.
- Steel and wood.
- Wood (pressure treated).
- Fiberglass.
Why Do I Need Mobile Home Steps?
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Mobile home steps allow the homeowner to exit and enter the building safely which can be an issue on high set houses over 3 blocks high or for elderly occupants.
New homes are required to have steps installed at every point of egress as part of the setup permit process and they are usually inspected as part of the building final.
The relevant step construction code in Florida is the Florida Building code.
Please refer to your State and local authority regulations, some are stricter than others.
Drive through any park and you will see most of these steps in all kinds of conditions and repair. Some materials are more expensive than others and will survive longer in harsh weather conditions.
Must Read: Annual Repairs – Is Your Home Hurricane Ready?
Should My Steps Be Attached To The Home?
Steps should be free-standing, not connected to the home. This usually applies to all additions for structural reasons. Extra attachments transfer increased weight to the foundation.
Some counties require the steps to be secured to the ground with anchors and straps.
This will usually be done after the skirting is installed so that they can be moved before putting up the skirting panels.
Fiberglass Mobile Home Steps.
Fiberglass steps are very popular:
- Reasonably Cheap.
- Lightweight.
- Water resistant.
- Slip proof surface.
- Pre made to code.
- Come in a variety of sizes.
- Sturdy and strong.
Fiberglass steps usually come with aluminum back and side rails which are easily bolted into place. Just decide on right or left side rails when odering.
These steps are best obtained from specialist stores like the Mobile Home Depot or Stylecrest.
Mobile Home Steps With A Landing.
In Florida when you step through a door to the outside of your home you must step onto a platform equal in size to the width of the door in the direction of your travel. So essentially if you have a 36″ out-swinging door then you must step onto a 36″ x 36″ minimum platform for safety reasons.
This is a essential as mobile and modular homes are usually around 32″- 40″ from the door threshold to the ground
This is the amount of pressure-treated wood required to make one step.
Stepping out directly onto steps has been responsible for many falls and serious injuries being reported especially for elderly or disabled residents.
How to Build Mobile Home Steps.
Building your own steps for your trailer is a task that can be under taken by the DIY builder with no special tools and some patience.
Remember to follow your local building code.
Use a plan either your own or look at other mobile homes in your area to get the general idea of the best design.
If you are going to build your own mobile home steps use pressure-treated wood. PT lumber lasts longer and resists pests and the elements better.
The width of a tread and the rise of each step is also a part of the building code.
Normal treads are between 10 and 12 inches with risers being 7 to 8 inches in height. The sum of one tread and two risers should amount to between 25 and 26 inches in total.
eg.
Two seven inch risers and an eleven-inch tread amounts to 25 inches ( 7+7+11=25 inches).
Mobile Home Steps With A Deck.
Steps leading up to a deck do not require a separate platform to be added.
The addition of a deck to the area around doors can make for a more pleasant appearance and an area for the homeowner to sit and pass the time. These deck areas can be just large enough to hold a table and chairs or wrap completely around the mobile home providing useful extra space at floor level.
Upright railings should be no more than 3 inches apart.
Must Read: Mobile Home Shed Plans For Your Backyard.
Mobile Home Steps With A Handrail.
The user must be able to grasp the rail and hold on tight.
The hand rails on wooden steps are built as an integral part of the rail.