DIY Idea: Retrofit Your Mobile Home With Foam Insulation

Last Updated on February 18, 2021 by Palm Gardens

Installing foam insulation under a mobile home may not seem an exciting DIY project at first glance. However, homeowners who have managed it successfully would know it does make an appreciable difference.

The first year you spend in a mobile home is a good learning experience, because this is when you really notice any temperature fluctuations, especially in the winter. Spring is the best time to roll up your sleeves and get to work boosting the home’s energy efficiency; there is always room for improvement there. Most homes have a spot 2 to 3 feet above the floor where cold settles in a lot more strongly than in other areas. No one likes that.

Advantages

Foam board insulation is a great way to cut energy loss while working inside a low budget. As it turns out, these aren’t the only benefits:

  • Foam boards are easy to cut with any sharp object you have handy – a utility knife, handsaw, or table saw
  • These weigh very little, and are easy to carry
  • Good for DIY-ers because they are flexible enough to fit into tight spaces
  • Foam does not allow the growth of mold
  • The material is water resistant
  • It is long-lasting, immune to decay
  • Foam manufacturing uses insecticide

Foam boards can act as an insulator for your home, and also play the role of vapor blocker, because of which they are an excellent addition under the flooring.

Points To Note

Under the safety regulations, every mobile home needs to meet the local fire protection codes. Installing foam boards can make that harder. The reason is that although it is tough to ignite, foam does emit a toxic smoke and gases after it catches. Some manufacturers get around this issue by spraying the material with fire retardant, but even so, it is smart to check the local codes before you start the project.

Types Of Rigid Foam Insulation

The three common types of rigid foam you can use for insulation are the ones made out of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, and polyurethane, respectively. Each of these is a petroleum-based product. Rigid foam can be installed in walls, roofs, foundations, etc.

Again, with regard to retrofitting, foam may not seem the most exciting of things you can do on your mobile home, but the benefits mentioned here are almost guaranteed. It is the safety code compliance that you will need to ensure before getting started.