Skirting a manufactured home

Skirting

Wood skirting within 6 inches of the ground must be pressure treated for ground contact or naturally decay resistant.

Skirting may not be fastened in a way that stops the home's siding from expanding and contracting.

A skirted crawlspace needs vents of at least 1 square foot per 150 square feet of floor, reducible to 1 per 1,500 with a full vapor retarder (24 CFR 3285.505).

Skirting must include an access opening at least 18 by 24 inches.

Texas times its installation inspections so inspectors see the home before skirting goes on.

Sources: Weather-resistant skirting; Ventilation; Inspect before skirting (Texas example)

Rules for skirting

Skirting, where installed, must be made of weather resistant materials or protected from weather.

A skirted crawlspace needs cross ventilation, with openings on at least two opposite sides.

Vent openings must be fully covered with a perforated, corrosion and weather resistant covering that keeps rodents out, and in freezing areas the covers must be adjustable to open or close.

Sources: 24 CFR 3285.504; 24 CFR 3285.505

Under the home

Where required, the ground under the home is covered with at least six mil polyethylene sheeting, with joints overlapped at least 12 inches.

Voids or tears in the vapor retarder must be repaired, and the manufacturer's instructions give at least one repair method.

Source: 24 CFR 3285.204

Closing up the outside

Before siding goes on, the plastic sheeting that covered the walls in transit must be removed completely.

Any wall joints or seams disturbed during the move must be made weatherproof, and roof holes sealed.

Source: 24 CFR 3285.801