How to Add a Room to a Trailer
Living in a trailer can be a great experience. One of the best things about trailers is that they can go just about everywhere. The downside of living in a trailer is the rooms can be a little small. Square footage is important, regardless of the type of dwelling. Being able to add an additional room to your trailer gives you the space options you have been missing.
Things You'll Need:
- Building permit
- Measuring tape
- Shovel
- Concrete
- Zoning information
- Cinder blocks
- Two-by-12 boards (minimum of 25, depends on the size of room)
- Two-by-four boards (minimum of 10, depends on the size of the room)
- Electric screwdriver
- 50 nails (four-inch stainless steel flat-head)
- 30 screws (standard size)
- Anchor bolts
- Hammer
- Plywood
- Shingles
- Windows
- Drywall sheets
- Joint compound
- Exterior siding
- Weatherstripping
- Take your measuring tape and record the amount of room you need. This information can be given to your local municipality. They will let you know if you need a zoning permit or building permit before you begin. These are generally only required if you exceed your current land specifications or if you plan to convert the room to an apartment. Use your shovel to dig holes that will be your room's foundation. Seal the holes with concrete a minimum of six inches deep. Lay the cinder blocks (the amount required depends on the size of the room, refer to your previous measurements) equal to the trailer's floor height.
- Secure one lumber board around the cinder blocks. Anchor with anchor bolts. Use the two-by-12 lumber boards to as joists and build the floor from here. The plywood should be used as the sub-floor in the room (again, the number of boards depends on the size of the room). Hammer approximately 20 to 30 of the four-inch flathead nails into both the sub floor and floor joists.
- Expose the wall frame by taking off the exterior side of the trailer. The roof will also be exposed. Use the two-by-four lumber boards and build your new wall. Don't forget to frame the door and window(s).
- Use the remaining nails to secure the walls, floor, door and window frame(s). Take your screwdriver and use screws as an additional form of security.
- Build your roof extension with the two-by-12 lumber boards; they will form rafters for the roof. The two-by-four lumber boards will create the roof trusses. Use more plywood on the new portion of the roof and use the flat-head nails; approximately 10-12 in 1/2 inch spaces. Place the shingles on top of plywood and use the remaining nails to secure.
- Take weatherstripping and line the new room before attaching to the remaining portion of the trailer.
- Add windows according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Install siding to the new room's exterior.
- Apply drywall and paint.