Transforming an Aluminum Patio Cover Into an Insulated Roof on Your Mobile Home

Mobile home repair can be a daunting task. A popular addition to mobile homes are aluminum patio covers. Aluminum patio covers offer a nice opportunity to increase outdoor living space. Typically these structures have a “U Pan” or “V Pan” design. A lot of people have tried to enclose the area underneath and heat it. Most people fail at this. I will tell you how to successfully accomplish this.

The hardest part to this task is effectively insulating the aluminum patio cover. Most people will see how the pans are shaped and become perplexed. The most effective way is to fill the low voids of the cover with 2″ foam board. Measure and cut strips of the foam board to fit in between the ridges of the pans. You want the surface of the foam board to be flush with the top of the ridges of the pans. If you are not flush yet, add an appropriate thickness of foam to make the surfaces flush. Once flush, overlay a foam board across the entire patio cover. You can use 3/4″ or 1″ foam. Use screws with washers to attach the top layer of foam. If you are not going to finish the interior of the roof and don’t want to see screws poking through, you can glue the foam down.

The next step is to install a rubber EPDM membrane over the roof surface. Black rubber is going to be the most readily available and inexpensive. I recommend using white EPDM rubber instead of black. You might have to call around to obtain this but it is worth the trouble. A white roof surface will reflect the sun rays in the summer time and help on keeping it cool. The insulation will keep the heat in during the winter months. Typically you would not glue the membrane down. Termination bars held down by screws are the best way to attach the roof. Install the termination bar on the vertical surface of the gutter/fascia that is bordering the patio cover. Use a 1/4″ hex head screw that is approx 1″ in length.

Make sure to properly tuck or flash the roof where it meets the existing structure. If you have an existing rubber roof and you have enough material, detach the termination bar and tuck the rubber under the other membrane. Then re-attach the termination bar.

You now have an insulated roof that you can enclose to fit your lifestyle. Use conventional wall construction to assemble and build walls around the area.