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How Much Does Foam Insulation Cost for a Mobile Home in 2024? (Prices/Rates/Factors)

Written by Amanda Ringler | Nov 20, 2024 1:00:00 PM

You’re tired of dealing with high monthly energy bills and an uncomfortable house, and you’re considering spray foam insulation, but you need to plan a budget.

Wondering how much it costs to insulate your mobile home with foam? Here's everything you need to know.

The cost to insulate your mobile home with foam insulation will vary depending on several factors, from the size of the house to the size of the areas to be insulated.

RetroFoam of Michigan has insulated thousands of homes across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and the greater Toledo area. We have experienced crews that are specially trained to inject and spray foam in your home, ensuring it is an energy-efficient and comfortable space for you and your family.

Because every mobile home isn’t created equal, the prices we give in this article are a range. The best way to get an exact price for foam insulation cost for mobile homes is to have one of our project managers out to provide you with a free, no-pressure quote.

How Much Does it Cost to Insulate a Mobile Home with Foam Insulation?

The cost to insulate your mobile home will depend on the area's square footage.

The average spray foam insulation cost for a mobile home from top to bottom is between $5,200 to $7,700. This covers the ceiling, walls, and skirting.

What Factors Determine the Total Cost of Spray Foam Insulation?

Several key factors influence the total cost of spray foam insulation for your mobile home.

Understanding these factors can help you estimate your budget more accurately.

Size of the Area to Be Insulated

The size of your mobile home plays the biggest role in determining the cost.

  • Single-wide mobile homes are smaller and typically less expensive to insulate.
  • Double-wide mobile homes require more materials and labor, increasing the overall price.

Type of Spray Foam Used

The choice between open cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam affects the cost.

  • Open cell spray foam is usually more affordable and ideal for areas where flexibility and sound dampening are priorities.
  • Closed cell spray foam is more expensive but provides greater structural support and higher R-Value, making it a better choice for extreme climates or exterior applications.

Additional Factors to Consider

  • The complexity of your home's design may impact labor costs.
  • Regional pricing differences and availability of materials can also play a role.

Foam Insulation Installation Process for Mobile Homes

Installing foam insulation in a mobile home typically takes one to two days, depending on the condition of your existing insulation.

Here's a breakdown of how we insulate the ceiling, walls, and skirting of your mobile home.

Insulating the Ceiling of a Mobile Home

The process for insulating a mobile home ceiling depends on its structure.

  • Paneling Ceilings: If your mobile home ceiling consists of paneling, it may not support the weight of spray foam.
  • Drywall Ceilings: For solid drywall ceilings, the installation process is straightforward. Crews will:
    • Remove any old insulation.
    • Cut strips into the drywall to access the stud cavities.
    • Spray foam into the cavities.
    • Replace the drywall and apply a rough patch of mud. (Note: Homeowners are responsible for sanding and painting the patched areas).
  • Drop Ceilings: For drop ceilings, panels are removed, foam is sprayed, and the panels are replaced.

Insulating the Walls of a Mobile Home

The wall insulation process varies depending on your siding type and installation direction:

  • Vertical Aluminum Siding: Since this siding isn't easily removed:
    • Crews drill 1 1/2-inch holes to inject foam insulation into the stud cavities.
    • The holes are sealed with caulk to maintain the siding's appearance.
  • Horizontal Aluminum or Vinyl Siding: For these common siding types:
    • Crews remove a strip of siding to drill holes between the stud cavities.
    • After injecting foam, the siding is replaced, and any excess foam is cleaned up.
  • Wood Siding: Depending on the condition of your wood siding:
    • It may be removed to follow the same process as vinyl or aluminum siding.
    • If removal isn't possible, crews drill directly into the wood and seal the holes with tapered wood plugs.
  • Brick Exterior: No bricks need to be removed:
    • Installers drill small 5/8-inch holes in the mortar joints to inject the foam.
    • The holes are re-mortared for a seamless finish.

Insulating the Skirting and Rim Joist

The skirting and underside of your mobile home are treated similarly to a crawl space:

  • Crews remove old insulation.
  • Spray foam is applied to the skirting (the "walls" of the space) to seal air leaks and improve energy efficiency.
  • This method reduces drafts, deters pests, and protects your mechanical systems beneath the home.

Types of Foam Insulation Materials Offered

When an entire mobile home is insulated with foam insulation, the crews will use spray foam and injection foam.

It comes down to the areas that need to be insulated and whether the cavities are open or enclosed.

Injection foam will be used in the enclosed walls, while spray foam will be used in the rim joist, ceiling, and around the skirting.

What Other Services Are Offered When Insulating Your Mobile Home?

  • A free estimate with no pressure sales tactics.
  • Free concierge program that leaves the homeowner with a go-to person to answer all of their questions from start to finish.
  • Help to complete financing for the homeowner. It will be important to discuss this with your insulation contractor because some lenders don't offer loans because the land is leased. There are lenders who do have loan options in this scenario.
  • Preparation before installation includes removing old insulation and covering items in the home to keep them clean and protected.
  • Cleanup after installation so the mobile home looks just like it did before the work began.
  • Filling out rebate paperwork with the homeowner's energy provider.
  •  A lifetime warranty that covers workmanship as well as materials. This lifetime warranty lasts as long as the home does and is transferable if the house is sold.

How Long Does it Take to Insulate an Entire Mobile Home?

In most cases, an entire mobile home can be insulated in just one day.

The day of the installation is spent removing any old insulation underneath the mobile home. Then, the foam insulation is installed.

Removal of old insulation, spraying, and injecting foam insulation can range anywhere between 3 to 5 hours.

Additional Fees, Taxes, and Costs

There are no additional fees or hidden costs once your project has been completed. The quote you sign and agree to is the final cost to insulate your mobile home.

Unlocking Savings: Foam Insulation Rebates and Tax Credits for Michigan Homeowners

Let's first clarify the distinction between rebates and tax credits.

Rebates are like cash rewards given to homeowners who accomplish specific energy-efficient upgrades.

On the other hand, tax credits directly reduce your tax liability when you invest in energy-efficient home improvements.

Michigan homeowners can choose from several types of rebates and tax credits.

The standard mail-in insulation rebate caters to those insulating a single area of their homes, with rebates ranging from $50 to $250, depending on the project's size. Utility providers like Consumers Energy, DTE, SEMCO, and Michigan Gas and Utilities are your go-to sources for these rebates. If you're insulating at least two areas of your home, you may qualify for the home performance rebate, which ranges from $400 to $1,100.

The Inflation Reduction Act, a policy supporting energy-efficient home improvements, offers a tax credit of up to $1,200 annually for individual insulation or other energy-efficient upgrades.

This tax credit is available until 2032. Moreover, homeowners can claim an additional credit of up to $150 for home energy audits. To access this tax credit, you'll need to complete IRS Form 5695 and include a copy of your contract with RetroFoam of Michigan.

It's essential to note that eligibility for these rebates and tax credits may require consultation with your energy provider and a tax professional to ensure your work qualifies. 

Why Choose Foam Insulation for Mobile Homes?

Foam insulation provides superior energy efficiency, air sealing, and comfort for mobile homes.

Whether you're addressing drafty ceilings, uninsulated walls, or an exposed skirting area, spray foam can transform your home while reducing your energy bills.

If you live in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula or the greater Toledo area and would like to schedule a free in-home estimate, give us a call at 866-900-3626 or fill out the form on our website.  

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