Choosing the appropriate flooring is critical due to the unique characteristics of mobile homes. Getting the right mobile home flooring provides durability, comfort and style. You also can reduce costs, improve your home’s safety and ensure the flooring lasts long. This guide will review the factors to consider when choosing the best flooring for your mobile home.
Benefits of Choosing the Right Mobile Home Flooring
There are several factors to consider when choosing the flooring material for your camper, RV or manufactured home. It is important to remember that each mobile home has unique features, so you need to match the flooring type with the unit’s design.
Here are some of the benefits of choosing the correct floor type:
- Improved Durability: Choosing the best-suited mobile home floor materials makes the flooring more durable and lasts longer. The material should be tough enough to withstand regular wear, foot traffic and damage from settling and shifting when the vehicle moves from one location to the next.
- Indoor Safety: Since motorhomes tend to be more compact than traditional stationary homes, the risk of injury increases. Homeowners can get injured if they slip or hit any object inside their RV. Using the best flooring, you avoid slipping or tripping and keep everyone safe while moving around.
- Prevent Moisture Buildup: Mobile homes can be more susceptible to moisture buildup than traditional homes. Due to the home’s lack of a foundation and its design, the pipes and sewage lines can be prone to leaks. Moisture-resistant floorings can provide better traction and prevent fluid buildup when leaks occur.
- Reduced Cost: Choosing the appropriate mobile home floor materials can translate to fewer maintenance work and replacements, which saves you money in the long run.
- Increased Resale Value: A better-designed mobile home floor increases the unit’s value. The correct material type complements your home’s design and can make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Types of Mobile Home Flooring
A mobile home’s flooring is crucial for your comfort. Due to the compact available space and structure, the type of flooring you select will impact the looks and feel of your living space. You can consider several options, and each mobile home flooring comes with its advantages and disadvantages.
1. Carpet
Carpeted flooring is still one of the most popular options for many homeowners. Carpets offer various patterns, weave styles and various colors. They feel great on your soles when you walk on them, especially if you installed the more fluffy variants. This option is easy to install, affordable and adds warmth to your mobile living space.
Pros
- Insulation: Carpets provide excellent insulation, keeping your manufactured home warm during winter and cool during summer.
- Safety: Carpets can add a measure of slip resistance, benefiting people at risk of falls and other injuries.
- Soundproofing: Some carpets can provide soundproofing, which is perfect if you want quieter homes.
- Comfort: Carpets are comfortable to walk on and an excellent option for bedrooms, living rooms and other areas you frequent.
- Aesthetics: Carpets add to the overall appeal of your interiors, making your spaces look more elegant and refreshing.
Cons
- Maintenance and Durability: Carpets are less durable than other mobile home flooring materials. Further, they require regular vacuuming and care if you want them to last longer.
- Allergens: Pollen, animal dander, dust and other allergens can get trapped in carpets.
- Staining: They are also prone to staining, meaning you must clean spills quickly.
The best places to install carpets in your mobile home include bedrooms, hallways, stairs and living rooms. Carpets can add to the overall value of your manufactured home. However, consider your family’s needs, especially if you have pets at home. Further, experts recommend vacuuming carpets twice weekly, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens, living areas and entryways.
2. Laminate
Laminate is one of the more affordable flooring options for mobile homes. It is durable and easy to install. It consists of fused melamine layers, allowing it to mimic the look and feel of tile and hardwood.
Pros
- Aesthetics: Laminate floors can match the design and theme of your interiors, making a versatile flooring option.
- Easy Installation: It is easy to install, and homeowners can DIY the project, which can reduce costs.
- Durability: Laminate is scratch-resistant, and it isn’t prone to fading.
- Affordability: It is less expensive than tile and hardwood, which is great for homeowners on a budget.
Cons
- Prone to Water Damage: Laminate can warp and swell with prolonged exposure to water and moisture. It’s not a good option for the kitchen and bathroom.
- Noise: This material can echo sounds and noise, especially when installed over concrete subflooring.
- Short Lifespan: Even though it is durable, laminate doesn’t last as long as tile or hardwood floors for mobile homes.
Installing laminate flooring in your motor home’s hallways, bedrooms, living room and home office is best. Make sure to clean up after spills and clean laminate surfaces regularly and immediately.
3. Vinyl
Like laminate, many homeowners prefer vinyl as a flooring material for manufactured homes. It is also easy to install, versatile and affordable. Vinyl flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic polymer. This makes this flooring material easy to clean and maintain.
Pros
- Versatile: This flooring material offers many options since it can be manufactured using different textures, colors and patterns. This feature allows homeowners to match the floor’s design to their home’s theme.
- Durable and Easy to Maintain: Vinyl floors are better resistant to water damage. It is also resistant to scratches and stains, making it an excellent option for high-traffic areas of your motor home.
- Affordable: As mentioned earlier, vinyl costs only a fraction of the amount you’ll spend when you install hardwood or tile flooring.
Cons
- May Require Professional Installation: Even though it is easy to install, many homeowners can make installation mistakes, costing them money. In many instances, it is best to have a professional install vinyl.
- Fading: This flooring material can fade, especially when exposed to direct sunlight.
- Not Sustainable: Vinyl is made from synthetic materials, which make it less eco-friendly than other options.
If you want to install vinyl flooring in your mobile home, placing it in wet areas is best. Consider using it in laundry rooms, bathrooms and your kitchen. It isn’t a good option for bedrooms and other places that require sound insulation since it can reflect noise.
4. Hardwood
Hardwood is popular for modern mobile homes and old-school models dating back to the early 70s. Hardwood can retain its looks, shape and other features a lot longer than the previous flooring materials mentioned earlier. Further, it can come in various grains, patterns and colors, matching many interiors.
Pros
- Durability: Hardwood floors in mobile homes can last many years. Further, they can withstand a lot of punishment from heavy foot traffic.
- Easy Maintenance: Hardwood requires very little maintenance. Apart from regular sweeping, you only need to do some occasional refinishing.
- Increases Home Value: Hardwood floors can add value to your mobile home, increasing the resale value. This feature makes it a good investment if you want to sell your unit.
- Aesthetics: The beautiful grains of hardwood surfaces can add a layer of elegance to many homes. Its natural look is easy to mix and match with various decors.
Cons
- Cost: Installing hardwood floors for your manufactured home can be pretty expensive. Further, the price can go up drastically if you choose premium wood.
- Installation: Installing hardwood floors can be very difficult, requiring professional help.
- Moisture Sensitivity: Hardwood can get damaged due to water or moisture without proper treatment. In addition, you should also monitor your motor home’s humidity levels to prevent moisture buildup.
Hardwood floorings are versatile, so you can install them almost anywhere in your home. They can be a good option for the kitchen, hallways, bedrooms, dining area and living room.
5. Tile
Tiles can make excellent flooring for your manufactured home. It is stylish, durable and requires little maintenance. Adding tile floors can also boost your unit’s property value.
Pros
- Stylish: Tiles come in various colors, patterns and textures, adding depth to your interiors.
- Durability and Low Maintenance: Tile flooring can last longer than many flooring materials. It requires little maintenance and is resistant to scratches, moisture and stain.
- Health Benefits: Unlike carpets and other floor surfaces, tiles are resistant to allergens, an excellent feature for people with asthma and allergies.
Cons
- Installation: Tile floors are challenging to install and will require professional installation.
- Hard Surface: Tile surfaces are hard and may not be comfortable for some people.
- Cost: Installing tile flooring can cost more than other materials, such as vinyl and laminate.
- Insulation: Tiles do not provide any insulation, meaning they can feel cold during winter.
Tiles make an excellent option for bathrooms and kitchens since they’re water-resistant. It is also best to install them in heavy-traffic areas of your home, such as the living room, entryways and hallways. You can install them in sections of your home where you want to add a touch of sophistication and a stylish look.
Important Factors to Consider
When choosing the right flooring for your manufactured home, you should consider several crucial factors. Choose the flooring material that suits your budget and factor in the expenses incurred for installation, maintenance and repairs.
Choose the material that best suits the climate in your area. Carpets provide warmth and insulation, but if you live in the warmer parts of the country, installing tiles can become a better option.
Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the four most common mistakes homeowners make when choosing flooring materials. Make sure to avoid them as much as possible:
- Leveling: Remember to level the subfloor before installing your mobile home’s flooring. The height should never exceed 3 mm over 2 mm or 1.2 mm over 0.25 mm.
- Moisture Levels: Failing to check moisture levels in your home can spell disaster, especially if you choose hardwood or other moisture-sensitive flooring materials. Humidity levels must be maintained within 30% to 50% for best results.
- Laying Method: Using the correct laying method can save you money. Some materials may require more fasteners or locking systems. Hire a professional to ensure your flooring is laid and installed correctly is best.
Work with Seasoned Mobile Home Flooring Experts
Basic Components is your all-in-one source for quality mobile home flooring materials. We have all the necessary supplies to upgrade or replace your unit’s flooring. Place an order today, and our team will gladly assist you.
