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Protecting Floor Insulation in a Trailer

mikeysp | Posted in General Questions on

My buddy Don lives in zone 4a and he is rebuilding a doublewide on two trailer frames. He may  need to move it in future. It is at frame level now; so, he has some liberty to protect the bottom side insulation from rodents, insects, etc…

What are some cheap options for him to use on the underside of the Floor Joists to prevent critters from making their home there?

He has a bunch of typar housewrap and can use it underneath also, but that will not stop a critter.

What cheap options exist?

Where he lives there are no building codes; so he is using his own milled lumber for framing.

The only idea I can think of off hand is treated plywood?

Thank you for helping me help one of the most generous hearted men you would ever meet- Don.

-Mike

 

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Replies

  1. user-2310254 | | #1

    Plywood would provide the opportunity for air sealing. Chicken wire would probably be the cheap option. Maybe the construction will chime in.

  2. mikeysp | | #2

    I wonder if tin would work? Could he not drill a bunch of small holes in the tin to allow it to dry outwardly? I ask because he does have a bunch of tin available.

    His current plan is to use 1/4"OSB for cost savings. I told him I have concerns for seems as that is very thin as well as moisture. He said it will be 3ft off the ground, but OSB???

    At this point I would say 1/2" plywood would be the minimum I would think suitable.

  3. Expert Member
    BILL WICHERS | | #3

    I suggest fiberglass window screen as probably the cheapest option out there. It’s not particularly physically durable so you’ll need to be careful during a move. If you sandwich the screening under some plywood or slats you get a physical and insect barrier.

    Bill

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