How Mobile Home Walls Are Built (And What You Should Know)

Aug 20, 2025

Mobile home walls are built with lightweight framing, Vinyl Over Gypsum panels, and minimal insulation to meet HUD code. They’re designed for fast factory assembly and transport, not long-term durability in humid, storm-prone regions like Florida.

What to Know About Mobile Home Walls in Florida’s Climate

Mobile homes use 2×3 or 2×4 framing with thin insulation and Vinyl Over Gypsum (VOG) panels to meet HUD standards.

Built for speed and affordability, these walls lack the strength, thickness, and durability needed for long-term use in Florida’s harsh climate.

If you’re in a region like Southwest Florida, here’s what matters most:

Most mobile home walls use 2×3 or 2×4 studs, spaced 16–24 inches apart
VOG panels are standard inside, drywall is rare unless factory-ordered
Exterior sheathing is often skipped to reduce cost
Cracks and wall movement are common after transport
Upgrading insulation or wall finishes can be expensive and limited
HUD code doesn’t account for Florida’s hurricanes or flood risks
Modular homes offer better framing, wall finishes, and storm-readiness

Walls are one of the most overlooked parts of mobile home buying, but one of the most important.

And if you’re planning to build or buy a mobile home in Florida, the differences between wall systems could shape how long your home actually lasts.

Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Florida Building Codes, What’s the Difference?

The COSTLY Differences Between Modular and Mobile Homes

Before we get into how mobile home walls are built, it’s important to understand what counts as a mobile home, how it fits into manufactured housing, and what codes actually govern its construction in Florida.

Mobile vs. Manufactured Homes

The term “mobile home” technically refers to homes built before June 15, 1976. Anything after that date is considered a manufactured home, built under the federal HUD code.

While people still use the terms interchangeably, it’s the HUD code that sets the construction standards for most homes labeled as mobile today.

The HUD Code: National, Not Local

HUD regulates things like fire resistance, structural strength during transit, energy efficiency, and basic durability.

But this code is federal, meaning it doesn’t account for region-specific challenges, like Florida’s hurricane winds or flood zones.

Florida Building Code: Stricter by Design

Homes built under the Florida Building Code (FBC), like modular or site-built homes, must meet higher standards.

These include wind resistance, impact-rated materials, and moisture control, especially in coastal areas.

So while HUD-code homes can legally be placed in Florida, they don’t meet the same level of storm readiness as FBC-built homes.

Zoning and Placement

Even if a manufactured home meets HUD code, local zoning decides where it can be placed. Some areas restrict mobile homes or require upgrades for flood safety and anchoring.

Bottom line: Knowing the difference between HUD and FBC standards sets the stage for understanding how mobile home walls are built, and where they fall short in Florida’s demanding climate.

Next, we’ll look at what’s actually inside the walls and how these homes come together.

Helpful Resource → Florida Hurricane Building Codes Explained

Inside the Walls: How Mobile Homes Are Actually Constructed

When people think about a home, they often picture the finishes, paint colors, cabinets, flooring.

But what holds it all together matters just as much.

Wall construction in mobile homes plays a critical role in everything from energy efficiency to structural durability, especially in a state like Florida where heat, humidity, and storms are part of daily life.

1. Factory-Built Framing, Built for Speed

In a mobile home factory, wall sections are assembled in controlled conditions. Most use 2×3 or 2×4 wood studs, spaced 16 to 24 inches apart, depending on the model and price point.

These studs form both interior and exterior walls and are pre-cut to match the floor layout. Unlike site-built homes, where framing is done on location, this process happens quickly, often in a single day.

2. Sheathing and Siding

Many manufactured homes skip traditional OSB or plywood sheathing, opting instead for weather wrap plus vinyl or prefinished aluminum siding.

While this keeps costs down, it reduces rigidity and protection, especially in wind zones. Some manufacturers still use OSB, but it’s not standard across the board.

3. Inside the Walls: VOG vs. Drywall

Interior walls typically use Vinyl Over Gypsum (VOG) panels.

These are lightweight, easy to install, and inexpensive, but difficult to customize.

Paint doesn’t adhere well without priming, and seams are often covered with batten strips, which serve no structural purpose.

Drywall is available in some upgraded models but is rare due to cost and the risk of cracking from shifting during transport or seasonal ground movement.

4. Marriage Walls and Multi-Section Units

In double- or triple-wide homes, marriage walls connect sections.

These are reinforced for added load-bearing strength and are sealed tightly to maintain energy efficiency and structural integrity.

5. Wiring, Plumbing, and Insulation

Electrical wiring and plumbing lines run through interior walls, similar to site-built homes.

Insulation levels vary by region, but mobile homes generally use fiberglass batts that meet minimum HUD requirements.

6. Built Fast, But Built to Move

Mobile home walls must endure transportation from factory to site. To reduce damage, builders use foam adhesives and anchor plates.

Still, minor cracking or movement is common post-delivery, especially in humid climates where expansion and contraction are frequent.

Bottom line: Mobile home walls are generally built for speed and transport, not long-term environmental challenges.

Helpful Resource → Mobile Home vs Modular Home: What’s Best for Florida?

They may last a decent time in areas with stable weather, but in Florida, they don’t put up a tough fight against the weather.

That’s where the bigger picture, beyond just how they’re made, really starts to matter.

Mobile Home Pros and Cons, and When It’s Time to Consider a Better Option

Mobile homes appeal to many for their lower price tag and quick delivery.

For some buyers, especially those needing temporary housing or working with a tight budget, manufactured homes offer a way to get into a home fast.

But for others, especially in regions like Southwest Florida, the long-term trade-offs deserve a closer look.

1. What Mobile Homes Get Right

There’s no denying that affordability is one of the biggest draws.

Mobile homes cost less to build and purchase than traditional homes. They’re also faster to produce, thanks to factory-built systems that eliminate weather delays.

For buyers looking for basic shelter or a starter home, mobile homes can be a practical option.

2. Where the Trade-Offs Begin

Despite the appeal, mobile homes are built to HUD standards, not the more rigorous Florida Building Code (FBC).

That means lower wind ratings, less robust structural design, and limitations in material choices.

Interior wall customization is minimal, with most models using VOG panels by default, drywall is a costly upgrade, if available at all.

Retrofitting or remodeling mobile homes can also get complicated.

Adding insulation, upgrading siding, or reinforcing walls often bumps up against factory limitations or HUD compliance rules.

Even high-end manufactured homes tend to stick with lightweight, low-cost wall systems unless customized from the start.

A Better Long-Term Alternative

If you’re planning to live in your home for decades, or build in a storm-prone area, modular homes offer more security and flexibility.

They’re built to FBC standards, allowing for thicker wall assemblies, better insulation, and more interior finish options like drywall, shiplap, or impact-rated framing.

Financing, insurance, and resale are typically easier too.

Bottom line: Mobile homes meet basic needs quickly. But when building your forever home in Florida, modular offers more durability, comfort, and peace of mind.

Mobile Homes Fit a Budget, But They’re Not Built for the Long Haul

Mobile homes can make sense for short-term housing or limited budgets, especially in rural settings.

But in places like Southwest Florida, where construction standards matter more, their wall systems and weather resilience often don’t measure up.

With thin assemblies, limited insulation, and minimal upgrade options, many older units simply weren’t built for long-term performance.

Modular homes offer a better path forward.

Built to Florida Building Code standards, they allow for stronger framing, real drywall, energy-efficient insulation, and hurricane-rated reinforcements, delivering comfort and durability that mobile homes rarely match.

If you’re planning a new home in Florida, let’s talk about building smarter.

Tri-Town Construction offers expert guidance and proven experience in modular and ICF construction.

Schedule a consultation to explore reliable, storm-ready options that protect your investment and support the way you want to live, today and for years to come.