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What Are the Different Kinds of Mobile Home Roofs?
The two main kinds of mobile home roofs are flat and peaked. Flat roofs are the most common type and the kind most likely to be original to a mobile home. Most peaked roofs are added by mobile owners after purchase as part of a home improvement project. The different types of mobile home roof materials include asphalt, aluminum and rubber.
A rubber mobile home roof is available in either a seamed or seamless type. Of these, the seamless type is considered a possible do-it-yourself (DIY) project, while the seamed roof is best installed by experienced contractors. Seamless rubber roofs are made of a mixture that is poured onto a flat topped mobile home. These must be of good quality rubber as well as thick enough in order to remain a long-lasting durable roof choice. Seamed rubber roofs must be fitted carefully on top of a mobile home; they are usually considered extremely durable options that will last many years or even decades, even though they tend to be expensive.
Used either alone or in combination with another roofing or insulating layer, aluminum roofs for mobile homes are a lightweight option. Both plain and insulated mobile home roofs are often available in kits. These kits are usually designed for homeowners to install with basic instructions and minimal parts. Mobile home parts stores typically carry aluminum roof kits that vary according to roof width as well as different thicknesses of insulation.
Asphalt is a common type of roof for a mobile home. It usually requires professional repairs, but a white asphalt roof coating available in many home improvement stores can be applied by mobile homeowners to help keep the roof's seams and vent openings from leaking. Some asphalt mobile home roofs contain a durable substance called bitumen. Bitumen-based asphalt may be used to protect a roof in an almost plastic-like coating.
Asphalt on top of layers of tar is a common type of flat mobile home roof. Sometimes, gravel may be used for the final layer over the asphalt, but this can make for a roof that may be too heavy for some mobile home structures. Peaked roofs are often used in snowy climates. The peaked roof shape, with its raised frame structure, allows for extra insulating materials to be added first. This type of roof can help increase the warmth of a mobile home by keeping more heat inside when the outside temperature drops.
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![Mobile homes typically have a peaked or flat roof.]()
By: allbylouiseMobile homes typically have a peaked or flat roof. -
![Asphalt shingles can be used for mobile homes that have peaked roofs.]()
By: Michael ShakeAsphalt shingles can be used for mobile homes that have peaked roofs.
Discussion Comments
It is not about, "if you must live in a mobile home." I choose to live in one now. I am mortgage free and loving the lifestyle. That being said, some still think of a mobile home as lower income. This is not true. I have a wonderful home in an all adult park and it is like paradise. Yes, paradise! No more screaming kids, bad condo/board management and I own it!
I just replaced my roof and it's beautiful! I would recommend anyone, any day of the week to consider mobile home living (with doing your research for a great park). I would not trade it for anything. --A happy new, mortgage free homeowner!
Flat roofs are going away. The new ones are v-shaped and more energy efficient. The replacement roofs are v-shaped and built to specs on those that need fixing. Some are patched but it's not recommended.
@Azuza - You're right about that! I've seen a lot of mobile home related claims working in the insurance business. After a bad storm, I definitely see a lot more claims from our mobile home customers than from customers with regular homeowners insurance.
Speaking of insurance, I just wanted to mention that if you have mobile home insurance, let you carrier know if you change your roof. You might run into trouble if you have to file a claim later. The roof you have should match up to what you tell the insurance company.
I think it's important not to be cheap about your mobile home roof. I was reading an article awhile back about the safety of mobile homes. Here's a hint: they aren't that safe, especially in a storm.
So if you must live in a mobile home, I think it would be a good idea to get a high quality roof and let a professional install it. What's a few hundred extra dollars compared to your personal safety?
My husband is pretty handy when it comes to home projects, so he put on a seamless roof when we had our mobile home. We never had any problems with it, and the roof lasted as long as we had the home.
We also added some peaks to our roof because I didn't like the long flat look and thought the peaks added a lot to the outside of the home.
When we added the peaks, we also had some mobile home skirting put all around the bottom of the home. Both of these improvements helped it look more like a house than a mobile home.
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