Mobile home repair can be a daunting task. A popular addition to mobile homes is aluminum patio covers. Aluminum patio covers offer a good opportunity to increase outdoor living space. Typically these structures have a “U Pan” or “V Pan” design. Many people have tried to enclose the area underneath and heat it. Most people fail at this. I will tell you how to achieve this successfully.
The hardest part of this task is effectively insulating the aluminum patio cover. Most people will see how the pans are formed and will be puzzled. The most efficient way is to fill the lower gaps in the deck with a 2 “foam board. Measure and cut strips of the foam board to fit between the edges of the trays. You want the surface of the foam board to be flat. flush with the top of the tray edges. If not already flush, add adequate thickness of foam to make surfaces flush. Once flush, cover a foam board across the entire patio deck . You can use 3/4 “or 1” Foam. Use screws with washers to secure the top layer of foam. If you are not going to finish the inside of the ceiling and do not want to see screws sticking out, you can glue the foam.
The next step is to install an EPDM rubber membrane on the roof surface. Black rubber will be the most affordable and inexpensive. I recommend using white EPDM rubber instead of black. You may have to call to get this, but it’s worth it. A white roof surface will reflect the sun’s rays in summer and help keep you cool. The insulation will keep you warm during the winter months. Usually I would not stick the membrane. Screw fastened termination bars are the best way to secure the roof. Install the termination bar on the vertical surface of the gutter / deck that borders the patio deck. Use a 1/4 “hex head screw approximately 1” long.
Be sure to properly position or cover the roof where it meets the existing structure. If you have an existing rubber roof and have enough material, separate the termination bar and tuck the rubber under the other membrane. Then replace the termination bar.
You now have an insulated roof that you can enclose to suit your lifestyle. Use conventional wall construction to assemble and build walls around the area.