Mobile home with ribbed metal siding over sided with vinyl

[mark petty]

Central Florida 1978 mobile home with vertical metal ribbed siding; the home was re-sided with vinyl over top of the metal. it was clearly a non-professional install due to many discrepancies. My question is; could there be any issues with using the vinyl over the old metal siding. Thanks

[Jerry Peck]

Condensation which could cause rusting (steel) or corrosion (aluminum) of the metal siding ... but that might be why it was covered to start with.

Sealing the vinyl siding around windows and doors would be a problem too.

[John Kogel]

Jerry is right, the vinyl will be poorly sealed around the windows. Does water run down the walls, or does it have a real roof with proper overhang at the eaves? Eavestroughs?

The expected life span for a 1978 mobile is about 50 years. The vinyl siding is making it look a bit better in its final years. :D

[mark petty]

John, Jerry
No overhang, coated roof rusted through, multiple ceiling stains, water damaged walls, water damaged floor, FPE's, multiple plumbing leaks, underside was scary, out of level, 36 years of amateur wiring, bad windows, sliders not tempered, rodents......... anyway you get the picture.
Thank you both for your quick replys

[Bob Wisnewski]

Sounds like nothing a new MH wouldn't fix.

[Francis Conlin]

The metal siding on a mobile home is a ventilated wall. Not intended to be air sealed at top or bottom. The ventilation is "designed" to allow moisture to escape. This design has proven successful, although some claim it is because the metal siding heats up so much that this adds to the moisture removal. From a building science stand point the added vinyl cladding is now inhibiting the air flow from the vented wall and minimizing the heat flux into the wall. Both these actions will decrease the amount of moisture removal from the wall cavity. If the occupant runs their AC on the cold side, this could increase moisture accumulation at the inside gypsum and create soft walls.

[Pete Curtis]

Central Florida 1978 mobile home with vertical metal ribbed siding; the home was re-sided with vinyl over top of the metal. it was clearly a non-professional install due to many discrepancies. My question is; could there be any issues with using the vinyl over the old metal siding. Thanks
There will be problems with condensation, rust, damage to walls and floors. I would think a 1978 mobile home would best be torn apart and hauled away.

[Jeffrey Benge]

Hi there,
Using vinyl over metal sidings isn't a great idea. It will cause corrosion and rusting. Better remove the old siding first and then install vinyl sidings separately. Check this (http://www.amfsteel.com) for more information on sidings.