INSULATION

Insulation has nothing to do with skirting.  Municipal ordinance does not address any requirements for skirting.

Skirting is for cosmetics. Municipal ordinance DOES address INSULATION.  It must be R-19 or better.

There are three types used:

One involves constructing a wood frame that hangs two inches above the ground.   It is filled with fiberglass and covered with plastic sheeting to keep the fiberglass from getting wet. (Fiberglass losses R-value when it gets wet.)  This system is expensive and does not have a warranty.

Another less expensive method is to cut fiberglass about six inches longer than the distance from the bottom of the home to the ground, wrapped in plastic, the “bag” is stapled to the bottom of the home.  This system is the least expensive.  It does not have a warranty.

Insulfoam is an expanded plastic formed into 4’x 8’ sheets.  The Insulfoam must be a minimum of 4" thick to meet the Municipal code of R-19.  The sheets are cut to fit under the outside of the home to within 2” of the ground, (that allows for frost heave).

The cut sheets are “glued” with expanding foam.  This system is expensive up-front, but installation is easier than the frame system and that means less labor.   Plus, it is not affected by water; mice don’t like to use it for housing projects and it comes with a twenty-five year warranty. Click here to see an installed system.

A good insulation system can reduce your overhead by significant numbers.  It means your furnace runs less and frozen water lines occur to the other guy.  It can even have an effect on frost heave.  Each case is different, but a good insulation system can reduce frost heave.

How do you know if your insulation system is working?  A week or two after a good snow, take a look at your skirting.  Is there space between the edge of the snow and the skirting?  There shouldn’t be.  That space is your money.  You’re heating the neighborhood.  Click here to see a picture of a failed insulation system.

If the snow is right next to the skirting, then it’s working; really simple.  Click here to see a picture of an Insulfoam system that works.

Want to find out how much material needed to install a Insulfoam insulation System on your home?  Click here.

Have a suggestion we can share with other mobile/manufactured home owners?  Please call  or email us postmaster@reallyneatstuffalaska.com 

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