What Are Walls Made of in Mobile Homes? 

During the hunt for the perfect home, you have probably posed the question to yourself, “What are the walls made of in mobile homes?”

There are many obvious differences between stick-built homes and mobile homes. You might have noticed the walls looking different. Do you know what distinguishes them, then? You may have never even considered it before! Well, let’s clear up that question: What are the walls made of in mobile homes?

VOG: Vinyl Over Gypsum

The large majority of manufactured homes use VOG, a wallpaper-like coating that is lighter and simpler to install than drywall. You’ll see that VOG has a shiny finish and that the seams are concealed by strips that extend from the floor to the ceiling. These strips bother a lot of mobile homeowners, so they end up removing them. 

It can be a hit or a miss for some. Homeowners either despise them or don’t mind the way they look at all!

Although VOG may not have the same aesthetic appeal as drywall, it does have some advantages that you may appreciate. In addition to being incredibly simple to install and more cost-effective, this material is also incredibly simple to maintain—just wipe down with a damp cloth or even a spray cleaner. 

Tape-and-Textured Drywall

The seamless textured drywall known as tape-and-texture is an additional option for your walls. Tape-and-textured walls might be a better option if a homeowner wants something different from the typical mobile home “look” with VOG walls. Although they are frequently found in site-built homes, they are now also used to give manufactured homes a more traditional and modern appearance. Let us add they are easy to paint as well! 

Because of the labor and materials required to create this look, having this type of wall in the house may increase the overall cost. Simply put, the process requires more labor. To create tape and texture walls, raw drywall must first be installed. The seams are then filled with drywall compound, the tape is applied, the area is sanded, the drywall compound is applied once more, and finally, the texture is sprayed on the entire surface.

How Mobile Home Walls Are Constructed

Many home buyers are more familiar with typical home construction than with the processes and materials used in a modern mobile home. They often wonder about the criteria or building practices used in constructing their new home or when deciding whether a mobile home will meet their needs.

Learning about the standards that differ from a typical home and the ones that are similar when constructing a mobile home will help you better understand the level of comfort and peace of mind you will enjoy when you move into your Braustin Homes mobile home.

Exterior Wall Construction

Much like a typical house, our mobile home exterior walls are built using 2X4″ stud construction. In some models, studs are 2X3″ or 2X6″ to meet specific needs, which can include:

• The thermal requirements for the house which vary based on the region where you reside
• Added durability to withstand high wind is also considered based on geographic location
• The price point of the house will have a slight impact, however, never in a manner or to an extent that poses any degradation of the safety provided by your home

In addition to the studs, the insulation used in the exterior walls will vary based on the location of the home and its energy rating. As with any home, the exterior walls have increased insulation to ensure that you are always as comfortable as possible in your new house and that it remains energy-efficient to heat and cool.

Interior Wall Construction

The walls inside your mobile home are built much like the inside walls of all homes to meet the requirements of HUD. They use 2×3″ or 2X4″ studs placed 16″ to 24″ inches apart on center. If you were to see inside the walls of your new mobile home, you would see the same framing techniques used around the doorways and windows that would be found in a traditional house.

While you might know it abstractly, the walls in your mobile home perform the same functions as those in any home. Many electrical components are installed within the walls, such as wiring for outlets, light switches, appliances, and HVAC service. There can also be plumbing lines or other components in the walls based on some of the upgrades or additions added to your new home.

Understanding Sound And Climate Control Properties

As you think about the spaces and functions of these areas in your new house, know that they will meet your needs equally as well as any home you have lived in. The walls, insulation, and sound barriers are all very similar. Even with the finish of the Paper On Gypsum wallboards, the appearance and function are much like standard drywall. In some cases, you will have the choice of including a standard drywall finish in your interior walls.

The quality construction of interior and exterior walls, the use of quality insulation, thermal pane windows, and quality doors and storm doors will work together to provide a living space that is comfortable and more energy-efficient than most homes in the average community.

Are Manufactured Home Walls Safe?

Federal building standards are in place for all kinds of houses, mobile homes, and apartments in the country. So you never need to worry about buying a house that was built to a lower standard and compromises your safety or that of your loved ones. Even the studs used in the construction of a mobile home must meet standards for moisture control to ensure overall stability and safety.

Based on the location of your mobile home, specific environmental standards are in place to ensure the structure can withstand the region’s wind or has special consideration for added insulation in extremely hot or cold climates. In addition, there are considerations for the conditions faced by the structure as it is transported from the factory to your home site. Specific considerations and steps are taken to ensure the home is watertight for transit and can withstand the added vibrations that will occur while in motion.

In essence, your home is built to more exacting standards than a stick house built on site. It meets all the standard house specifications and safety features as well as many used in the construction of a custom coach or motor home to ensure that it arrives at your home site in perfect condition. Other specific codes, such as plumbing and electrical requirements, are also in compliance to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones for the decades that you will enjoy and thrive in your new home.

What Kind of Mobile Home Walls Are Best For Me?

When trying to decide between VOG and tape-and-texture drywall, it’s important to realize that both have their benefits… 

For one, painting drywall is simpler than painting vinyl. Drywall also keeps the home’s exterior insulation in place, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

On the flip side, vinyl is easier to maintain because it does not absorb liquids like painted drywall does. Mobile homes with VOG walls will also be more on the less expensive side than those with drywall. So if you have a smaller budget, the affordability itself may decide for you! If you still aren’t sure which type of wall is a better option for you, we are here to help. Speak with a member at Braustin Homes today!