If you’ve never owned a mobile home before, making the transition from a traditional to a mobile home can be a bit overwhelming. But there are several advantages to owning a mobile home. You just have to make sure that your mobile home meets your financial and housing expectations.
The most obvious benefit of a mobile home is flexibility. You are also more likely to spend less on a manufactured house than on a traditional house. And purchasing a manufactured home is environmentally sound. Note that mobile homes are also referred to as manufactured homes because they are made in factories before being transported to a permanent site.
So, you’ve bought a mobile home and equipped it with important appliances. But you feel there is something missing and you want to modify your home for it to better meet your preferences. Like a traditional home, mobile homes can be remodeled.
You can redesign or upgrade parts or even all of your mobile home. You have complete control over what to remodel and the quality of the materials to be used. Below, you’ll find some smart upgrades to make when buying a mobile home. Here we go.
1. Doors – Exterior and Interior
New decorative entry doors have been shown to increase the value of homes. This is even more true for mobile homes as new and better doors make them look more terrific. And the good news? Replacing doors is usually a low-cost upgrade.
Low-end mobile homes usually come with aluminum doors while mid-range homes usually have steel doors. High-end manufactured homes tend to have very good doors although you can still upgrade the doors to meet your tastes. You should also consider upgrading interior doors to wood-frame or paneled hollow-core doors to make your home look like it was built on-site.
2. Windows
Another smart upgrade to make on your mobile home involves the windows. The most obvious benefit of replacing windows is to give your home a whole new look.
Common types of windows found in mobile homes include awning windows, casement windows, double hung or single hung windows, and so on. However, there’s a lot more to replacing your windows than just aesthetics.
Energy-efficient windows are designed to retain cooled or heated air in your home. This allows your home to regulate temperature better and improves the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. You’ll also spend less on energy bills.
3. Bathroom
It’s easy to think the design of a bathroom isn’t important because of its size. But a good design can transform your bathroom from just a functional space to one you look forward to relaxing in. This makes your mobile home bathroom remodel project one to be taken very seriously.
To save cost on your bathroom remodel project, you’ll have to work with the space you have as additional space will be more expensive. Replace the floors with quality, water-resistant materials like linoleum, cork, or vinyl.
You’ll also have to replace the bathroom’s walls and ceilings. Toilets, showers, sinks, and tubs may also have to be replaced. Consider cost, available space, style, and functionality when replacing these units.
4. Insulation
Mobile homes were synonymous with poor insulation in the past. But thanks to the HUD code regulations and demands of the consumer, the insulation of modern manufactured homes have drastically increased. Yet, your home’s insulation could do with some upgrades.
Your energy bills will be lower and your comfort increased. A well-insulated home can regulate temperature well. It’ll stay cooler in hot weather and warmer in winter. Popular types of insulation include batts and rolls, foam board, loose fill or blown-in, sprayed foam, and so on.
The one you choose will be determined by the cost, ease of installation, and the R-value. R-value is the measure of your home’s insulation. The higher the R-value, the higher the insulating abilities of your home. Materials with high R-values are usually expensive because of their superior insulating properties.
5. Cabinetry
You won’t appreciate your cabinets until one gets broken. Then, you realize how much you use and rely on your cabinets. It’s always a good idea to upgrade your mobile home’s cabinets to improve durability and performance.
It’s not unusual to see manufactured home’s cabinets having cheap knobs, exposed hinges, and lacking their own bottom shelf. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to upgrade your cabinets.
And the extent of your grade will depend on how much you are willing to spend. In most cases, installing new hardware and having a new paint job is all the upgrade you need.
