yikes 2x2 not 2x4

[stdavid]

Bought an old mobile home that had an addition put on. Pulled the panelling off and discovered the addition is 2 x 2 not 2x4. The newer windows are already flush with the panelling and am ready to end up with a recessed window after "thickening the wall" but how would I go about thickening this wall? No, i am not tearing it down. No I am not replacing the 2x2's. Can I buff up the 2x2? Can I marry the 2x2 with a 2x4? ...and then another layer of 2" stiff foam board? We are 60's and wear out too easy. We intend to put wallboard up to finish the inside...not thin panelling. If we do not buff up the thin wall first, will we have problems with the wallboard moving? We haven't even looked at what is under the rug....perhaps the floor slightly moves...will that effect our wallboard? Help

[David Oxhandler]

If it has lasted all these years and is in good condition and the roof is a light weight material, like metal pans, I don't think I would worry about it. You need to do what ever will make you fell comfortable so you can enjoy your home.

Some of the early (pre-code) manufactured homes were built with 2x2 or 2x3 walls. Many of them have held up well over the years.

You can marry a 2x4 to each 2x2. Just making the wall fatter will provide little additional wall support for the roof. You will need cut the 2x4 the exact same length as the 2x2 so they actually carry the roof weight to end up with 2x4 strength wall.

The change from light paneling to sheet rock will add considerable weight to the walls. You might want to consider drywall mud directly on the paneling to create the look and feel of dry wall with out all the weight.

Download The Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade for details on how to upgrade the walls in your manufactured home the book has an exceptional chapter about making your paneled walls look like textured sheetrock.