We just purchased a mobile home. What are some tips about remodeling?

Kathy
by Kathy
  7 answers
  • Dysko7710 Dysko7710 on Aug 29, 2017

    Not knowing any specifics of what your home is like, and what you are wanting to do, I suggest looking at Pinterest, or even searching here on Hometalk or googling to find ideas on what you want to do. Here is a Pinterest link, that has many articles from plumbing, to cabinetry, tips, decor, etc:

    https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=mobile%20home%20remodeling&rs=typed&term_meta[]=mobile%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=home%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=remodeling%7Ctyped

  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Aug 29, 2017

    Try and find materials made for mobile homes, but basically, its not a lot different than remodeling a house on a foundation, except the pipes are a little more accessible, if you are doing plumbing.

  • Kathy Kathy on Aug 29, 2017

    I've been told that since the cabinets are made of particle board I should be careful painting, staining, or even cleaning them. Also, the walls have those panels on them. Can they be painted or wallpapered?

  • Dana Dana on Aug 30, 2017

    i grew up in one of those, if it's older you will have particle board in everything. Best things to do is to start with what's crumbling first. Kitchen humidity causes the cabinets to flake away. You can buy flat pack at the hardware shops for new cabiNets, they are relatively cheap and new counter tops. If they are falling apart. If not, and there is no damage, then by all means you can paint them contact paper is not a good solution as it will peal over time.


    Did you you know your floors are probably made of particle boards too? I would make sure you don't have leaky drains in the bathroom. This will cause the floor to swell and rot.


    we redid our entire home when we moved in. It was a job but it was worth it in the end. be sure to show us photos as you go along. We would love to see how it turns out! And don't spend money on things that you don't need to yet. If your going to do a job do it well. Best wishes!

    • Kathy Kathy on Aug 30, 2017

      Thanks, Dana! Your hints were helpful and encouraging. Any thoughts on the walls? They seem to be panels of some sort. Most are painted white which will be easy to paint over. The laundry room has a 1980's print. I thought of covering it all with bead board and then painting that. Do you think the existing panels are printed on or have been wallpapered? I was wondering if we should just remove them entirely. We are definitely not handy so the easier the better.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Aug 30, 2017

    Here's some more awesome ideas and tutorials from fellow Hometalkers- http://www.hometalk.com/categories/remodeling-renovating

  • Dana Dana on Aug 30, 2017

    The wall paper walls are pretty much just that, they are part of the wall. Best to prime and paint those. If your not going to do rebounding them. As for the paneling it will look good painted we did that, needs primer too. Then a nice flat paint to hide the wall boo boos. You will find the walls are really thin. Not much between the outer wall. We did sheetrock in the lounge later on, also added new insulation. That stuff breaks down after so many years. It's like rebuilding a home. Just save where you can, I understand the stress and struggles of owning one.

    best wishes with your new home! So exciting for you!


  • Dana Dana on Aug 31, 2017

    Odd, I wrote a long reply on your question about the walls and it's not showing up. Let's try this again.


    The printed wall paneling is just that, its factory pressed onto the panel. Don't try to remove it. Because it will get ugly quickly! Bits of wood will come off.

    Best thing as you have guessed is to cover it With the bead boards. It will look lovely. Be sure to prime any unfinished walls before painting the wood grains. They are very thrisky!


    I remember pulling out the panels and using sheet rock putting new insulation in the walls. The old stuff kijd of disinagrates, doing the joint compound was hard which was very hard for me because I don't know how to do dry wall tape and use that mud. I had humps and bumps not a pretty sight , if you do this best wishes! Hire a guy to come in and do it for you if your not at ease with this process.


    Good luck with this job, it will look great when your done!