wallboard

[Sphinx]

I'm considering buying a 1992 Guerdon Kingswood doublewide. It's got a wonderful floorplan, I've heard that Guerdon is a good manufacturer, and love the home all but for one thing. The whole house is covered in that vinyl textured wallboard stuff. Most of it is pretty neutral, (a pleasant surprise, since I've seen some truly horrid designs) the only room I really can't stand is the bathroom floral. Throughout the house, the walls are pretty mucked up with smudges and handprints, but appears to be otherwise in good condition. Aside from being dirty (which may or may not clean up, it's still occupied) I could probably live with it. But I've gotten the idea that higher quality homes ALWAYS have tape and texture, and wallboard is found in "budget" models. The asking price on this home is definately not "budget." I know I would view the house as being an excellent value if only it had tape and texture. Am I putting entirely too much emphasis on this one factor?

[Bill Fry]

The better end MF homes do use regular tape and textured half inch sheetrock with standard trim.The ones below that use quarter inch sheetrock with battons on the seams and no T&T(plastic trim).The ones below that use vinyl wallboard sheets with plastic battons on the seam(again plastic trim).You be the judge, but its a pretty good indicator of the quality of the overall home.

[rmurray]

I think the tape and texture thing is a matter of preference...almost all manufactured homes are standard with it..often tape and texture is offered as an option..which costs more because it is so labor intensive..

In the SE..where I am..tape and texture seldom sells when offered as an option..the added cost is just too much for most..In your area...trends could be much different..

[Jane]

Since the home was built in 1992, was tape & texture being used that much, even in the high-end homes? When did drywall become a standard in manufactured homes? Just curious.....

[Bill Fry]

Standard T&T sheetrock is an available option in some homes,in others it isn't.Find the ones who do offer it and 10 to 1 its a better built all around home.For the lookease of repainting and added sound insulation of the home it can't be beat.

[Sphinx]

Well, did a little shopping today. Looked at new Guerdons to see how the price compared to the used one I was looking at. Wow! Those are some fabulous homes... and much more expensive than I thought. Looked at some Fleetwoods for comparison... they cost almost as much as a Guerdon and are nowhere near the quality. So despite the wallboard in the older home, I've decided it's really not such a bad deal and have decided to make an offer.

On another note, if I ever decide to buy a new one, I'll be heading back to the Guerdon dealer first thing, and won't even consider Fleetwood.

As for the wallboard, I've some ideas about new wall treatments including wainscot, textured wallpaper, and faux paint finishes.

[rob]

The place my wife gets her hair cut has a great wall treatment covering up paneling - it's crinkled up tissue paper glued to the walls then painted and poly'ed. It looks like venetian plaster only easier. It would be a permanent solution though but if you're looking for a way to cover the wall board it might be worth finding out more about. You would never know there is paneling underneath.