upgrading my manufactured home

[Laura Heitzmann]

I would like to "re-do/upgrade" the exterior of my double wide to make it look more like a site built home and less like a "trailer". I also live in hurricane country (Mississippi-Gulf Coast area) and would like to not have to run everytime one comes my way, so re-doing he exterior would serve double duty for me.

Any suggestions??

[Tom]

Laura, Im not getting the tie in with redoing the exterior and not having to leave during a hurricane. What sort of exterior, in your mind would make you safer? The actual construction of the home itself and how well its tied down would seem to me to be more important factors than the exterior appearance. I think I know what your asking but just making sure. Tom

[Annaz]

How about adding some real, working shutters?

[Paul Trost]

I asked my dad (a structural draftsman) a similar question and his reply was that brick is just a skin, you can have a brick home that is till built poorly that will be flattened by high winds. Replacing the exterior of your MH will be very expensive. Even if you do it yourself, we're talking maybe 4 or 5 thousand. Some people though have changed theirs to have a log cabin look so it can be done! Just don't count on it raising your weather resistance.