What You Need to Know About Mobile Home Steps

If you have a raised back door, front door, or side entrance into your mobile home, you will need a good set of mobile home steps to get in and out safely. Currently, there are four basic ready-made stairways for mobile homes: wood, metal, concrete, and fiberglass. The right type of staircase can provide easy access and dramatically improve the look of a home. But with so many options on the market, where and what should you look for in ready-made options? Here is what you need to know about mobile home steps before buying. 

Mobile Home Steps or Stairs?

While we usually use the terms steps and stairs interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. Steps typically involve three or fewer risers, whereas stairs have four or more. Understanding the height of your raised back door, front door, or side entrance will help determine whether you should be looking for mobile home steps or stairs. However, you’ll need to know what a riser is to understand this difference more clearly. Let’s look at the basic terms used when discussing steps or stairs. 

Mobile Home Steps and Stairs Basic Terms

Before we look at different types, you will want a basic understanding of essential terms when discussing steps or stairs. 

Rise and Run

The rise and run of mobile home steps are essential to understand before ordering. The rise and run determine the vertical and horizontal depth of each step. Rise is the vertical height or space from step to step, while the run is the step’s horizontal depth from riser to riser. The rise and run height will need to follow your local code. However, the standard size for the rise is around 7 ¾”, and typically, the run must be approximately 8 ¼” to 9”.

Stringer

A stringer is the vertical support board that runs along each side and center of the wooden steps or staircase. Typically the treads and risers are sized into the stringer. The number of stringers required is determined by the width of the stairs and the tread material. 

Slope

The slope of steps or stairs is the angle of the steps. Therefore, when creating your stringers, you must know precisely the cuts you will be making. The ideal slope is 30-35 degrees. However, steep stairs can vary between 50-70 degrees. 

Tread

Stair tread is the horizontal portion of a set of stairs on which a person walks. Your local code will also regulate the depth, width, and length of the step’s tread. However, it is usually around 1” -1 ¼” thick and 10 ½”- 11 ½ wide. 

Nose

Nosing is the protruding edge of the tread over the riser. It should not protrude more than 1”. 

Banister or Railing

The banister or railing is the horizontal support bar a person holds onto as they walk up and down the stairs. Typically local code requires a minimum of at least one handrail to be present on steps with four risers or more. Your local code will also determine the height of the railing; however, it is usually around 34”. 

Types of Mobile Home Steps

The top four materials for mobile home steps are wood, metal, concrete, and fiberglass. Let’s dig into the advantages and disadvantages of each material.

1. Wood

Wooden stairs are the most convenient material when building your mobile home steps. Wood is, for the most part, easy to get and is still reasonably affordable even with the increased cost of lumber in 2020.  

However, they are susceptible to water damage, rot, and insects. Therefore, you will need to consider the weather if you live in a humid or rainy climate. Untreated stairs are susceptible to rot and swelling, significantly degrading their lifespan. In addition, you will need to invest in a concrete or composite pad underneath your steps or staircase to prevent the supports from sinking or becoming water damaged. 

When considering building your mobile home steps with wood, finding the correct type of wood is essential. Weight, durability, insect and waterproofing, staining, and longevity are important aspects to consider when selecting lumber. 

2. Metal

Another favorite material for mobile homeowners is metal. Metal mobile home steps are lightweight and easy to set up or break down, requiring only a few screws to construct. 

Metal is a long-lasting and affordable choice for mobile home steps, but it can rust easily. Therefore, they should not be used as a permanent solution though they are a great temporary use for an RV. 

3. Concrete

A popular choice for mobile homes and traditional home steps is concrete. A considerable advantage of concrete is its longevity. Once installed, they will last for years. 

However, there are disadvantages to using concrete. Concrete is more expensive, weighs a ton, and requires a lot of ground preparation to level the steps. You will likely require a machine such as a forklift or a hoist if there are more than three steps. Even when the concrete stairs settle, they can become unleveled, weather, and chip over time. While the integrity of the stairs will always remain, the cosmetic appearance will fade with time. 

4. Fiberglass

Fiberglass is the best option for mobile home steps combining the best of both worlds. They are lightweight, affordable, and long-lasting. Fiberglass mobile home steps are constructed with a wood frame and covered in glass-fiber reinforced resin. Fiberglass is easily weather-resistant to water, wind, or sun, unscathed by damage. 

Fiberglass mobile home steps are pre-textured with a slip-resistant stone-like surface for better footing in all types of weather. Unlike concrete or wood, they will not chip or rot over time. Most even include a handrail and pre-drilled mounting holes for easy installation. As a result, fiberglass mobile home steps are low-maintenance material and can last for decades. 

Check with your local building codes to ensure your fiberglass steps meet the regulations for steps and handrails before purchasing. 

Dura Grip II™

Mobile Home Parts Store’s DuraGrip II mobile home entry steps are the leader in the industry with an exclusive 10-year manufacturer’s warranty. These steps feature a non-slip textured stone-like surface for better footing in all weather conditions. The receding riser gives the step 12” of surface for ease of use and provides the unit with a contemporary look. These steps are available with standard or Boca extruding aluminum side rails that meet or exceed most federal, state, and local code requirements. In addition, Mobile Home Parts Store offers an extensive range of heights, tread widths, and platform sizes for every need. Check out our catalog or get in touch today.

Tags: mobile home parts, mobile home stairs, mobile home steps

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 at 10:40 pm and is filed under Featured Manufacturers, Featured Products. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.