Smart Panel

[Michael]

I posted here a few days ago and got a couple of opinions, would like to try to get a few more.
I am looking at buying a new Solitaire Manufactured home, will be my retirement home. The house has a product on it called Smart Panel, does anyone out there have any experience with it, good or bad, any opinions appreciated.

[jgn]

They should have given you a brochure on Smart Panel. I think it is made by LP and has a 25 year warranty. It is a good product but Hardi is better. Solitaire doesn't have many upgrades but the fact that they use 2x6 exterior, 2x4 interior and plywood floors makes the home sound. Like any siding if you keep it painted and sealed it will it will last for a long time without any problems. I think Solitaire has 12" overhangs which would keep moisture from getting behind the siding which is the cause for a lot of problems with any home.

[Michael]

Thanks again for the response, I agree with the Solitaire build, it seems to be a lot better then most. They do have a vinyl package for the house, but then it will look even more like a "trailer". My real concern is the smart panel, which means verticle seems, (verticle overlaps). If it were the smart side, horizontal lap siding I would not have any concerns. Solitaire does not offer the cement board type siding.
Have you had any personal experience with this product, and if nothing else were available, would you have it on your house?
And yes, it does have a 12 inch overhang on the roof.

Thanks again,
Mike

[cung]

i just got this 1996 MH and would like to raise the entire roof to make it look ike real house. is it possible to raise the entire roof. what would be the problem if any? some suggestion please.

thanks,
cung

[jgn]

Michael, No I do not have any experience with SmartPanel. I owned a 1976 DW by some no name company that had verticle panel, I think fiberboard, not nearly as good a smartpanel. We owned the home for 12 years, painted it twice and never had a problem with the siding and I would have no reservations with SmartPanel. HardiPanel would be my first choice but SmartPanel would be my second. We came very close to buying a Solitaire two years ago but my SWMBO liked Palm Harbor better because of the eye candy they offer. We ended up buying a older site built home as a replacement lake home but would buy a MH without question it is just the home we purchased was in a location we wanted. Money no object (and that never happens) I would go with Karsten, PH then Sloitaire but that is a wide range of pricing and in that order.

[Michael]

jgn, thanks again for the opinion.