Mobile homeowners have two choices when a mobile home roof begins to fail; a complete mobile home roof replacement or a mobile home roof over.
What is a Mobile Home Roof Over?
A mobile home roof over involves placing a new roof or roofing material over your existing roof. There’s little to no material removed which can keep costs down. Less labor is needed and there are much smaller refuse fees.
A mobile home roof over creates a unique opportunity to completely change the look of the home. Color, material, and even the shape of the roof can be changed when a new roof is installed on an older mobile home. Flat roofs can become pitched and pitched roofs can go higher.
The image below shows a pitched roof being built over a single wide mobile home that originally had a flat roof.
Average Cost for a Mobile Home Roof Over
Roof overs are usually more affordable compared to the cost of installing a completely new roof. Of course, the total cost can vary based on many factors such as your location, the roofing material, and whether or not additional insulation is installed.
- For a single-wide, costs usually range from $1,000 to $3,500.
- For a double-wide, costs are generally between $1,500 and $4,500.
Building a Pitched Mobile Home Roof Over a Flat Roof
Flat roofs on mobile homes are a burden because of the re-coatings required. And since flat roofs have no overhang or ‘true’ gutter system there’s a chance that water will flow down the side of the home and either damage the exterior walls, windows, or door or create leaks.
Turning a flat roof into a pitched or peaked roof and adding an overhang is a popular mobile home improvement project. It helps with water runoff and adds value and lifespan to the home.
This single wide went from a flat roof to a pitched roof:
Flat Mobile Home Roof Over Materials
Mobile home roof overs for flat roofs typically involve metal or rubber or PTO.
Mobile Home Roof Over with Single-Ply TPO
White, single-ply TPO membranes are a popular choice for mobile homes with flat or low slope roofs.
TPO membranes are a polyester reinforced, reflective covering made of a blend of rubber and plastic that can protect your roof from rain and the wind. It can also lower your energy bills by about 30% in a hot climate by reflecting light and heat away from the home.
Firestone defines TPO Roofing as:
Before and After: Installing a TPO Roof over a Pitched Shingle Double Wide Roof
Here’s a double wide before the TPO is installed over the shingles:
Here’s the same double wide after the TPO membrane mobile home roof over:
TPO membranes come in several different thicknesses ranging from 45 to 90 millimeters. It is a fast and relatively easy installation and often the least expensive option for a mobile home roof over.
Shingled Mobile Home Roof Overs
A real shingle roof for mobile homes is absolutely possible for most models. They can have a higher pitch or gables too. Shingle roof overs are also installed right over your existing roof, as long as you have not already had a roof over previously.
The subject of whether it’s a good idea to add a second layer of shingles is much debated in the roofing industry. Be sure to get an expert’s opinion on your home before you make a decision. There seems to be a split in opinion on layering the new shingles over the old. Some roofing experts say you can do on manufactured homes that have 2×4 studs 12-16″ OC and roof trusses that are 16″ OC or less. Others roofing experts have told me they won’t do it on any manufactured home.
If you’re set on a shingle roof you come in a few different options and styles for roof overs, as well as several different colors and textures.
The main benefit of a shingle roof is the appearance. Shingles can dramatically improve the curb appeal of your property. Installing shingles is typically more costly than a TPO or metal roof but can improve the value a little more so you may recoup the costs.
It’s not unusual to see asphalt shingles on a mobile home, particularly on homes with pitched roofs. Because asphalt is frequently used on site-built homes, many people are drawn to their appearance. Asphalt has a class A fire-rating and it’s available in a wide array of styles and colors.
We spoke to Shingle Star, a Davenport Roofing Company, about the most popular asphalt roof types for mobile homes. They told us they are seeing homeowners choosing architectural shingles over the three tab style that customers used to choose.
“The architectural shingles have a more modern look, and I think it helps with the resale of your home.”, says Gabe Franker, owner of Shingle Star.
Unfortunately, the weight restrictions for mobile home roofs make asphalt a less-than-ideal choice. These shingles can be heavy, which means that typically, only a single layer of shingles can be placed on a mobile home. Shingles can also be very expensive, especially when compared to other popular roofing materials for mobile homes.
Installing a New Metal Roofing
Installing a new metal roof is the most popular choice for homeowners across the nation. There are many advantages to a metal roof but the 40-60 year lifespan is probably the favorite. Metal is a lighter material than shingles, too.
A professional roofer shared his top three reasons on Angie’s List on why he liked using metal over shingles:
1) It saves having to fill up landfills with old shingles.
2) It ultimately increases the thermal resistance (R Value) of the roof assembly, actually increasing energy efficiency compared to tearing off the old shingles. What happens is that some of the heat which does pass through the metal shingles now gets stopped by the R Value of the old shingles, rather than flowing direct into the attic. Otherwise, that heat will flow direct to the roof deck and into the attic.
3) It allows the property owner to spend discretionary dollars on a better roof rather than on removing the old roof and disposing of it.
Most metal mobile home roof overs can be installed within one to two days and will improve the look and function of your roof. Adding new insulation and a roof over to your home can increase the energy efficiency of your roof, as well as help to deaden sound while making your mobile home’s climate control easier to maintain year-round.
Many mobile home owners are beginning to move toward aluminum roofs for their homes. Aluminum, standing seam roofs are extremely durable and can be installed on a number of different roof slopes and types.
Before and After: Single Wides with Bowstring Metal Roof Gets New Metal
This next single wide mobile home with a bowstring roof has a skylight. Those always complicate things.
Installers are laying foam insulation boards over the old single wide mobile home roof.
The main benefit of installing a metal roof on your mobile home is the insulation that goes beneath it. A thick layer of foam insulation helps deaden sounds on your roof, greatly reducing the noise that’s common to a mobile home. At the same time, the insulation also helps improve your energy bills, lowering heating bills in the winter and cooling bills in the summer.
Geneva, at My Heart’s Song Blog, had a roof over with the popular PermaRoof System:
Metal roof overs can be installed over most mobile home roofs . Keep in mind, however, that the insulating layer of a metal roof does increase the thickness of the roof by several inches, which in turn, will increase the height of your mobile home.
Always check your local code requirements and association guidelines if your home is in a park or other area where things like height or uniformity of the properties may be in question.
Metal roofs may also be more costly than other options, however, they do tend to last the longest and require the least amount of maintenance in the long run.
More Mobile Home Roof Over Resources
Here’s another Mobile Home Living article about roofing that may help: 8 Great Mobile Home Roofing Tips – Find and Repair Leaks
This video may help, too:
If the roof on your mobile home is beginning to show its age, consider correcting the problem with a roof over. Less invasive and expensive than a complete re-roofing, mobile home roof overs can dramatically increase the curb appeal, function, and comfort of your home.
Thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living!
i have a pitched flex roof on mobile home also known as rumble roof .have had roofers out been told they can put a regular shingle roof on others say no what is true
A few years ago I had a metal roof installed on our doublewide over the shingles, Back then I didn’t know the contractor had removed all the roof vents. So now there is limited air flow and our home has a cathedral ceiling all the way through with no attic space. One day, this past summer, got so hot that it set off all the smoke/heat detectors, which made me run through the house looking for the cause and felt lucky I didn’t find anything. But it sure scared me and our dogs. So I tried calling the contractor. Didn’t get an answer. So I called the store we bought the supplies from to find out the contractor had passed away, causing his company to close. Now I can’t find anyone willing to replace the vents because no one makes boots to go around them, they said. I haven’t found any black mold or anything but I’m not sure we won’t in the future. They said, since no mold, why worry about it. Just leave it like it is. So now I’m at my wits end, worrying the limited space may catch fire next Summer. I don’t know what to do. Any help or comment would be greatly appreciated.
It’s good to know that roof-overs are affordable. Maybe I can get a contractor to help me out. All depends on who I can find.
https://mbrengineering.co/services
Condensation occurs when warm air meets cold air or warm or cold air meets a cold or warm, usually, non porous surface. If you think you have condensation issues, check your dryer vent, bathroom vent and kitchen vent. They are the usual suspects. Make sure that your vent hoses or pipes that go through the roof are perfectly sealed. If not, seal them. Make sure that all vented air from inside your living area of your home is vented outside through the roof, not vented inside the attic space. Also check any flashing on all protrusions on your roof. Make sure they are sealed and functional. If you have any kind of space between your interior ceiling and roof, (attic space) make sure that you have sufficient ventilation. You need to have “draw” outside lower vents to draw fresh air into the attic space and then “exhaust” outside high vents, found usually on the highest point on a gable or up near the ridge on a roof. The hot air inside an attic would be pushed out through these exhaust vents. This creates a perfectly functioning, ventilation system in a home.
From a roofers point of view, any roof lower than a 3-12 pitch shouldn’t have architectural shingles on it without first installing a layer of self adhered “ice & water membrane to the roof decking. The shingles are not warranted for any pitch under a 3-12.
You could also look into having a torch-on membrane roof installed by a professional hot roofer. A nice granulated cap sheet would look good and adheres fully to the building code for low sloped roofs.
Soooo….I had my ex husband put a metal roof on my 1993 Redman home in 2007 or 2008..pretty sure he did not put insulation under the metal. Just put down what looked like furring strips and screwed the metal down to it on the existing roof. Does that mean I probably got issues going on I don’t even know about? I know my master bedroom closet looks like it has mold or something going on when you look at the corner in the ceiling, but I can’t get up there to check it out. I wish I had a website like this when I bought a mobile home, maybe it wouldn’t be falling apart right now because noone ever told me to level it and it’s sinking at one end and everything’s getting ruined
I have a 1999 single wide mobile home that has shingle roof. I live in a wooded area and I don’t know what would be the best a metal roof or an aluminum roof. My roof does not get much sunlight on the back side what kind of roofing over my shingles would you suggest?
Hi James,
We don’t sell anything – the ads you’re seeing are just advertisers. Click on them and you’ll be taken to their website to view their inventory. Thank you!
Hi Tammy,
Your question is way over my head to be completely honest. The addition shouldn’t be attached to the home at all and I’m pretty sure that you will only be able to tie the addition’s roof into the home aesthetically but not actually (if that makes sense). Manufactured homes are built to only be able to withstand weight for itself. For the single wide, you can replace the roof trusses to raise the pitch but be sure to brace it well so that the home isn’t structurally damaged. I’d get a contractor to take a look and give you an estimate (while asking a lot of questions). Best of luck!
Hi George,
You may be able to if your roof trusses are 2×4’s and 16″ or less apart. The jury is still out on whether you should install metal over shingles. I’ve spoken to some pros that will do it and others won’t. I’d get a few companies out to give you estimates (they are usually free). Best of luck!
I have a single wide no shingles has a few dips in the roof. Would like to put metal roofing on how much would that cost me for a single wide that’s in the 1980s.
can you put a metal roof over 30 year shingles on a mobile home doublewide made in 1982 or would weight be too much also what is your opinion on foam roof over 30 year singles
I live in a 1986 single wide mobile home; it is 14×70. We have removed walls and added walls. Put windows in and replace some. But I do have a metal roof, and it pitched, I hear the rumbling, and I’m not too fond of the metal everywhere. So we are planning on adding a roof and siding but, will my new roof need supports? My husband wants to raise the pitch a foot or two. So that the foot or two would be resting on the middle seam. He wants to raise the sides as well so that it is half the height of the pitch, so when we add and addition on, it will not look horrible. I also have cathedral ceilings in the middle of the house where the kitchen and the living room used to be. The kitchen will be my living room and the old living room we added walls to make a guest half a bath and a dining room. The bedroom that was at the end of the house we turned into the new kitchen. My power bill has dropped tremendously. When we add the roof, what would you recommend, and do we add support beams around the house? If we do add beams, should they be ten feet apart? Thank you for your newsletter.
I enjoy your news letters so much. You give me ideas and that helps me save money.
Do you do double wide Mobil homes I didnt see any in your ad I have a double wide and it has metal roof that is rusting, I am looking for a affordable fix .
Hi Mathew,
There are pros and cons to both shingled roofs and metal and your location will play an important role in that.
A lot of owners like metal because they think they can leave the old shingles on so it saves on labor and disposal fees but a lot of metal roof manufacturers won’t honor their warranty if their roofs aren’t installed exactly as they specify (on a clean deck). I have heard there are a couple of metal roof manufacturers that will allow their product to be installed over old shingles but I’m not sure which company it is. You’ll def want to ask before choosing. Personally, I’m a big fan of insulated metal roofs. We have one on our flat-roofed single wide and it’s been great. Our heating bill is low and it stays cool in the summer. I’d get a few different contractors out to take a look at your home and see what they have to say for both shingled and metal. That’s really the only way you’ll know. Luckily, most contractors will do a free estimate. Best of luck!
i have a 1986 dbl wide needs roof ,what type is cost effective ft pierce fla metal seems expensice i need contractor to look an bid any referenes
Hi Cassidy,
This article about low-income loans and grants should tell you everything you need to know. Best of luck!
I need info on those programs that help yu repair your home
Hi Cherie,
I’d probably just remove it all and put a standing seam metal roof on it. That should get you a good 30 years worth of worry-free roofing.
We have a 1984 double wide that has a foam over metal roof. It started to leak. It is $6K to put a new foam roof on. Any suggestions on alternatives?
Hi Cathy,
A visual inspection would need to be done but most leaks occur around the chimneys and pipes. To fix those you’ll remove the shingles around the opening and add new flashing and then new shingles. Best of luck!
Hi Peggy,
It’s a standing seam and has one side raised up just a tad to help runoff. The previous owners had installed it themselves.
From what I’ve been told standing seam is the better product but it’s more expensive to buy and install. Since the seam where each panel meets is raised up and interlocking -as opposed to just sitting on top of each other) it removes the chance of water pooling over it and possibly leaking. I think the design makes the entire roof act as a single unit so it’s stronger and sturdier too.
If you don’t have snow or a whole lot of high wind and rain you should be able to get by with the regular metal roofs.
Let me know what you decide!
Crystal, did you use exposed screws or standing seams on your flat roof 9 years ago? I am looking to get an exposed screw metal on my very low slope (roundish) roof on my park model, but worried that the exposed screw might cause a problem sooner than later. Thanks Peggy
HI Vicky,
You really need to find a way to get that roof fixed. I put together a list of various agencies and financing options for low-income homeowners to get repairs done here: Low-Income Home Repair Loans And Programs To Help Mobile Home Owners In Need
Best of luck!
I, need help!!! I have 1958 T-Bird Moblie Home that needs a Roof (metal-flat)… When rains it pours, in my house. I live like ” Noah’s Ark”. I am A Senior Citizen. Live on S.S low income. I can’t afford a Roof. If, any one knows any people that can Help me let me know Just E-Mail me……..Thank-you for any Info…God Bless
I live in a mobile home for 45yrs the same on,it has a add on room,my problem is i can not find a roofer to help me at all,we have a pitch on it,we done everything wed know to do for it to stop leaking,I absolutely. Need some help.cp
I’m sure you can but the profile and condition of the metal are going to determine how one would go about it. Layers are usually a good thing but you still need ventilation and when you start adding a material over another material you often lose venting and can create moisture issues. You’ll need to pro to take a look at it.
Best of luck!
I have a pitched metal roof now (original). Can i just screw down a new metal roof directly over it? Thanks
Hi Thomas,
Unfortunately, I can’t give you a price because I’ve learned that things are a lot more expensive on the west coast than they are in WV and SC. We put a flat metal roof over the original flat rook of our 1978 single wide 9 years ago and haven’t a single issue and we get quite a bit of snow. Flat roofs aren’t completely flat and that allows water and ice to slide off easier.
Installing a new roof with siding is the best idea. That way you can create a sufficient design to keep water from getting behind the siding (whether you use gutters or drip guards, etc.)..
Best of luck!
we have a single wide park model 1985 does it pay to have a pitched roof replace the flat roof,also we are adding siding what would the price be on both in Az, thank you
Hi Deb,
It is true that black hold more than other colors. That’s why black cars in the south aren’t as popular as in the north but you be should be fine in MI. I’m thinking you may want to go with black because it may help melt snow off your roof in the winters. I don’t know if there’s any scientific data behind that but every bit of heat retention can help.
I am a big fan of black roof. I think it grounds a home and like you said, blends well into most environments. Thanks for reading!
I have a brown single wide that I am renovating. A pitched metal roof is the first remodel….I wanted black because I want the trailer to blend into the surrounding 86 areas secluded area but I have heard that black will be way too hot in the summer, I live in Cadillac, MI. Is this true?
Just to let you know I have done that on a double wide, what the product is called White Knight(maybe called something else depending where you live, it is a rubber base) I purchased it at Home Depot comes in 5 gallon pails a little expensive but once it is on keeps the trailer cool in the summer. we rolled it on with deep piled rollers. needed to put on 2 coats to do a good job has to be put on when it is not too hot takes 24 hours for 1st coat to set up before putting on 2nd coat
good luck I’m a senior female and with a neighbors help was able to do it myself Margaret
Hi Mr. Green!
I am not a roofer and I tried to email the one I know but never received a reply. I know this isn’t an answer but every model is different and some can absolutely withstand the really fancy shingles without additional support while other models will need reinforcement.
The pitch of roofs on manufactured homes is enough to shed water properly assuming there are no valleys. Even with valleys, a correctly installed roof should shed water easily.
I’m a HUGE fan of metal roofing that just goes over the old shingles. If done properly (and that’s the most important part), metal can last much longer than shingles and typically costs less. You also don’t have to remove the original shingles so you have less waste, less manual labor costs, and more R-value.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Thank you so much for the tip, Shell! It’s things like this that can really help other homeowners. I know gutters are important but they are a lot of trouble with ice and snow. Thank you so much!!!
We did a metal roof over the original roof. That has helped our heating and cooling so much! We did learn a very valuable lesson though, a few years later. Our original gutters were left on, but the overhang from the new roof did not line up properly with the gutters. I wish we knew to replace them at the same time, but the contractor only mentioned it as a “hey you should do this at some point” after the fact. Please learn from our mistake, and look into gutters at the same time as a roof over. It will save a lot of damage later.
My sister needs to have her double-wide reroofed. The house has regular shingles now. She’s looking at getting architectural shingles, but I pause.
> Will architectural shingles be too heavy (assuming the old roof will be removed)… and more importantly…
> Because mobile home roofs have such a slight pitch and architectural shingles have more nooks and crannies (than regular shingles) does that become a problem with accommodating runoff of rainwater? In other words, is trapped rainwater a problem with architectural shingles on mildly-sloped roofs?
Hi Peggy,
Every contractor is different and based on location even installation can vary. You will need to do Google searches to find a local contractor. Use variations as you search because Google is finicky with some topics (roofing and siding materials seems to be one of those topics).
Best of luck!
I would like to know about TPO for my double wide mobile home. I have checked this site several times and there is nothing about cost or where to purchase or a contractor. I called a contractor and a mobile home supply and both did not know what I was talking about. My home is an older home, about 22 years, has a single roof which had a foam put over the singles and a coating when I purchased the home. I had another coating put on but the birds have pecked holes in the foam and I want something that will not have this problem with constant repair and having to have that coating put on. Is TPO the way I should go. I am a senior and do not want the expense of repairs and having to have that coating put every two years as recommended.
Hi Janine,
You can fix only one half. It’s not a problem at all. That half of the home probably needs a pro to determine if it needs to be vented or better insulated (Condensation in ceilings is WAY over my head – I don’t really understand the science behind it). You may want to make sure the water lines have not been routed overhead for some reason, too (never hurts to check – some people do it).
Best of luck!
Only 1/2 my roof is having an issue with water dripping. It was recently rerolled because we thought it was leaking from the rain. It’s hasn’t rained but still drips so we assume it’s from condensation & has caused damage to some ceiling panels. Any suggestions & could we only repair the 1/2 we’re having problems with?
Hi Stephanie,
I’m not familiar with pool enclosures at all so I can’t really help you with that questions. I did Google it and here are the results I found: click here.
Sorry, I can’t help! Best of luck!
Can you tell me please if TPO would be a suitable option for pool screen enclosure? We have a 20 ft wide deck with pool (currently poolscreen is 5 panels in an arch shape wide) we would like to add some shade and also an area to keep some of the moisture off the pool furniture. As we need to paint and remove the screen from those attached to wall wondered it there is any suitable alternative to the mesh to achieve this and wondered if this could be attached to the pool cage or if you know alternative product. many thanks
Thank you so much Kit! I’m very thankful for all the readers that have looked over my many, many grammatical errors and still supported me! I still pinch myself regularly to make sure it’s all real!
Appreciate you!
I can’t tell you how proud I am Chrystal of what you have accomplished in the last few years.You started with nothing and now your read world wide.Leading with your heart pleases God and when the rubber hits the road thats what its all about.Hugs from the Northwest Corner, Kit
Great, helpful article.
We hope to go the metal roof route in about 4 1/2 years, when we refinance our doublewide. I’d never heard of the TPO system, so
thanks for enlightening me!