Mobile homes aren’t built on standard foundations. This makes it somewhat confusing when determining how much weight they can hold and the necessary requirements.
It’s important to know how much weight a mobile home floor can hold if you’re moving your home, switching out the flooring, or adding some new furniture. Here’s what you need to know.
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What’s the Weight Rating of a Mobile Home Floor?
Mobile home floors can typically hold up to 40 pounds of weight per square foot. Mobile homes have an average size of around 1,100 to 1,200 square feet. This means your mobile home can hold around 44,000 to 48,000 pounds.
Mobile Home Floors Explained
Mobile home floors can hold anywhere from 44,000 to 48,000 pounds on average, including the weight of any occupants or people. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering these factors.
Some Areas Can Hold More
Some areas or sections of a mobile home can support more weight than other parts. Locations where a mobile home has joists, might be able to support more weight. Other areas with support underneath will also be more likely to hold more weight.
Generally speaking, the further an area in a mobile home is from structural support underneath, the weaker it is. If a mobile home sits on a slab foundation, then it can typically support more weight. Mobile homes sitting on cinder blocks will generally have less support.
To determine the exact weight, figure out the total square footage of a mobile home and multiply that number by 40.
What About Furniture?
In most cases, heavy furniture is suitable for mobile homes. Heavy pieces might include wooden furniture, large sectionals, heavy shelving units, or even gym equipment. However, there are some caveats.
Heavy furniture will need to be spread out across several square feet. You’ll need to weigh the piece of furniture without anything on it beforehand.
For example, if a piece of furniture weighs 20 pounds and takes up five square feet, you’ll have roughly 20 pounds per square foot leftover. That roughly translates to 100 pounds per square foot before the structure starts to fail.
You’ll need to factor in anything you’re going to place on the piece of furniture like books, knick-knacks, or even people.
What About Appliances?
Appliances are another concern for mobile homes. Ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers can weigh quite a bit. If you know the weight of your appliances and the space they take up, it can be easier to determine whether or not they will fit in a mobile home.
Standard ovens can weigh anywhere from 130 to 220 pounds on average. They typically take up around three to five square feet. However, you can find ovens well below 100 pounds. For example, you might opt for a 20-inch oven that weighs around 70 pounds. This would easily meet the weight requirements.
Refrigerators average around 250 pounds with a range of under 100 to over 500 lbs. They can take up 10 and 20 square feet. This means your mobile home might be able to support a refrigerator anywhere from 400 to 800 pounds depending on the circumstance.
What Are the Different Options?
Updating the flooring of any home is an easy way to transform or enhance the look. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind If you’re looking to update the flooring of a mobile home.
The Subflooring Matters
The subflooring of a mobile home plays a key role in selecting the right option. Some older or lower-end mobile homes have poorly-designed subflooring. If you’re updating the flooring of a mobile home to tile or hardwood, you might need to upgrade the subflooring as well.
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is a popular option for updating the flooring of a mobile home. The main concern with tile is that it might be too heavy for a mobile home. It’s possible to upgrade to tile in a mobile home, but you’ll need to remove the old flooring, inspect the subfloor for damages, and install the tile.
You’ll also need to keep in mind the type of tile you’re installing, the weight, and the thickness. The less thick the tile, the less heavy it will be. Ceramic tile is the lightest option, followed by porcelain, and finally stone. Stone tile is typically not recommended for mobile homes due to the weight factor.
Carpet
Carpet is a popular option for mobile homes. Carpet comes in a variety of options, colors, and textures. Carpet is typically lightweight and weighs anywhere from .5 to 2.2 pounds per square foot, making it an excellent choice for mobile homes.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is another option for mobile homes. This type of flooring is typically lightweight, affordable, and versatile. Laminate flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses and can weigh anywhere from 1 to 1.5 pounds per square foot.
Hardwood Flooring
Real hardwood flooring is a dream for many homeowners. Hardwood is beautiful, durable, and comes in a variety of options. However, it isn’t the most affordable option by any means. The weight of hardwood flooring will vary anywhere between 1.5 to 4 pounds per square foot, depending on the thickness and type.
Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring
Vinyl and linoleum flooring are another option to consider. These types of flooring have advantages, disadvantages, and best-use scenarios. They’re typically cheap and easy to install. Vinyl flooring tiles can weigh anywhere between 2 to 2.5 pounds per square foot. Linoleum typically weighs around the same, but you’ll have to double-check to be sure.
How Much Weight Can the Flooring of a Mobile Home Hold?
Mobile home floors can typically hold up to 40 pounds per square foot. The average size of a mobile home is anywhere between 1,100 to 1,200 square feet. This means a mobile home might hold anywhere between 44,000 to 48,000 pounds on average. To determine the weight a mobile home can hold, figure out the total square feet and multiply that number by 40.
