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Synethetic Slate Vs Real Slate Comparison
Aaron Venegaz is the President and founder of Global Exterior Experts and has been in the construction / roofing industry for over 15+ years. He started the company back in 2010 and done everything from scheduling appointments to putting down roofs. He's also done everything from commercial roofing to residential roofing and has also worked with almost every single roofing material multiple times over the past 15 years.
Here's the thing: there's no single "best" roof for every mobile home. The right answer depends on whether you've currently got a flat roof or a pitched one, how old your roof is, and what you're willing to spend on a new roof. That said here's three materials that dominate the mobile home roofing list for good reason: First is TPO membrane for flat roofs, Second is metal roofing if you're looking for durability, and last but not least is asphalt shingles for traditional pitched roofs.
Let's break down what actually works in the real world.
The Flat Roof Reality: TPO Takes the Lead
Most older mobile homes that are built before 1976 have flat or low slope roof. If that's your situation then TPO membrane is hard to beat. Thermoplastic polyolefin creates a single waterproof blanket across your entire roof, with seams that are heat welded together so there's no chance of water sneaking through.
TPO reflects also sunlight like crazy, it's considered a cool roof which matters more than people think. That white surface can cut your cooling costs by 20% in Illinois summers and it is a material that also handles our brutal Illinois freeze thaw cycles better than just about anything else. When water gets trapped in roofing materials and freezes it expands and causes cracks. Due to TPO's flexibility, it lets it move with temperature swings without splitting.
Installation typically takes one to two days for a single wide home and you're looking at anywhere from $6 to $12 per square foot installed, which can puts a complete TPO roof replacement between $6,000 and $9,000 depending on your home's size. The material itself usually lasts 20 to 25 years so you'll be well off for a while.
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Metal Roofing: When You Want It Done Once
Now everyone knows the price tag on metal roofing but if you're planning to stay in your home long term, metal roofing makes financial sense even though it costs more upfront. We're talking about a 40 to 60 year lifespan and in some cases longer. Compare that to replacing asphalt shingles every 15 to 20 years and the math starts making sense in metal's favor.
Expect to pay anywhere from $8 to $20 per square foot for metal roofing on a mobile home and that translates to roughly $6,000 to $16,000 for most homes. Though that's a wide range the final cost depends on whether you're doing a simple roof over or a complete tear off, plus the gauge of metal you choose. Though we don't recommend a roof over due to warranty issues, you can read more about that here.
Here's what nobody tells you: metal can get noisy during heavy rain or hail without proper insulation underneath. Adding a 2 inch foam board insulation also solves this problem and boosts your energy efficiency at the same time so just budget an extra $500 to $1,500 for insulation upgrades.
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Asphalt Shingles: The Traditional Choice With Limits
If you've got a manufactured home built after 1976 with a pitched roof then asphalt shingles become a viable option. They can also give your home that traditional house look which matters if you're in a neighborhood where you want to blend in. Shingles come in plenty of colors and styles that you can match just about any aesthetic you're going for but there are a couple that are some latest color trends.
The catch? Mobile home roofs can only handle one layer of shingles, period. Unlike site built homes where you might add a second layer over time, the trusses on a mobile home aren't engineered for that extra weight. If you need to replace a shingled roof then every single shingle has to come off first. That adds an extra $2 to $4 per square foot to your project cost.
Shingle roofs can run anywhere from $5 to $8 per square foot installed putting most total replacement costs between $3,000 and $10,000. Architectural shingles last longer than standard three tab shingles and perform better in Illinois weather. Not to mention, given our spring hail storms and temperature extremes, spending the extra money on architectural shingles usually pays off. Read more about thicker shingles.
EPDM Rubber: The Budget-Friendly Flat Roof Solution
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber roofing offers another solid option for flat or low slope mobile home roofs because this black rubber membrane costs less than TPO and typically runs $4 to $8 per square foot. Plus installation is pretty straightforward which keeps labor costs down since we don't need a specialist unlike slate roofing.
EPDM handles UV exposure well and won't crack under Illinois sun plus it lasts 15 to 25 years with minimal maintenance. The downside is that, that black surface absorbs heat instead of reflecting it so your cooling costs will be higher than a cool roof of TPO. For homes in shaded areas or where air conditioning isn't a major concern, EPDM makes good economic sense but for everyone else. Though EDPM is cheaper, your AC will have to work harder which does 2 things, 1. It will increase the chances of a breakdown & 2. Will increase cooling costs. It's just a tradeoff you need to make.
What Illinois Weather Does to Mobile Home Roofs
Living in Illinois means your roof faces legitimate challenges. We tend to see 36 to 40 inches of rain and melted snow annually and the northern parts of the state get over 40 inches of snowfall, while southern regions deal with plenty of tornadoes. Spring brings hail that can punch holes in weaker roofing materials which is a nightmare in it of itself.
Those temperature swings from 95°F summers down to -20°F winters? That's what really kills roofs. Water works its way into tiny cracks, it freezes, then it expands and turns small problems into major leaks. This is why flat roofs on older mobile homes fail faster than pitched roofs because water just doesn't drain as quickly and sits in spots where it can do damage.
Impact resistant materials also earn their cost premium in Illinois. Class 4 impact rated shingles are rated to withstand two inch hail without damage. Metal roofing typically handles hail even better but if you just want longer lasting shingles, budget an extra 20% to 30% for impact resistant materials, but just consider the investment of impact resistant shingles against the $6,000+ average cost of hail damage repairs.
Roof-Over Versus Complete Tear-Off
When contractors talk about a "roof-over," we mean installing new roofing material directly on top of your existing roof. We made an entirely separate blog about this here but this option only works if your current roof structure is sound, there are no leaks or rot underneath, and the roof deck can handle the additional weight.
Roof overs can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 less than complete tear offs because you're skipping the demolition and disposal step. TPO both work well for roof overs but many also think Metal is a good option for roof-overs too. The installation is faster for roofer overs and can take about 1 day. Which yes, they can be replaced completely in 1 day too.
Complete tear offs are necessary though when there's existing water damage, when your current roof is already deteriorating, or when building codes require it. If your mobile home already has one layer of shingles and they need replacing, then you have no choice but to remove everything first.
Timing and Planning Your Replacement
The ideal window for roof replacement in Illinois runs from between May through September. We need temperatures above 45°F for proper installation and adhesion especially with shingles that require heat. Avoid July and August if possible because the extreme heat makes roof work harder on crews and can affect material installation. Though here's some recommendations for roof materials if you live in a place with extreme weather.
Make sure you get at least three quotes from roofing contractors who are licensed and certified in your state. Though mobile home roofing has different requirements than site built homes, information about truss load limits to anchoring systems are something that a roofing company has probably dealt with before.
Most permits run $50 to $150 in Illinois, though requirements vary by county. We should handle all permit application because it's part of their service. Don't skip the permit because unpermitted work can void your insurance coverage and if you file a storm damage claim later.
Making Your Final Decision
Start by identifying what type of roof structure you have. Pre 1976 mobile homes with a very low slope typically need flat roof solutions like TPO or EPDM. Newer manufactured homes with pitched roofs will need metal or shingles. Budget matters too but so does the remaining lifespan of your home. Spending $12,000 on metal for a 20 year old mobile home might not make sense but a TPO roof at the $5,000 mark probably does.
Consider your climate exposure too. If you're in a hail prone area, impact resistant materials aren't optional luxuries. They're practical protection that saves you from filing insurance claims every few years.
Make sure you talk to your insurance company before choosing materials because some insurers offer premium discounts for impact resistant roofing, which can offset the higher initial cost over time and possibly pay for itself over time.
The best mobile home roof is the one that matches your structure, fits your budget, and stands up to Illinois weather. TPO delivers unmatched waterproofing for flat roofs. Metal offers decades of maintenance free performance while Shingles provide traditional aesthetics for pitched roofs. Know what you've got, understand what your home can handle, and choose accordingly.
