Another insulation question!

[jenny]

Hi everyone... having spent hours scouring the internet for advice on insulation my head is in a total spin!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I really cannot decide what to go for.

My van is SWB Sprinter, and my priority is that the insulation is really effective and not going to get soggy and rust the van, more than price really.

I was thinking of doing the floor and roof with camping mats then sheeps wool, and maybe the walls with something like kingspan.. but is it hard to make the kingspan fit against curved panels?

I've also been looking at the aluminium bubble foil stuff as well but just not sure what to go for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Firefox]

You can use rockwool, but duct tape it up in bin bags with waterproof tape to keep it dry.

I used celotex/kingspan under my floor encased either side with ply. I don't think polystyrene or kingspan is very good for walls and roofs or curved surfaces. It's trickier to fit and it can also squeak when you are driving along.

 

[n brown]

i tend to use that stuff like rockwool but its recycled plastic bottles from b and q but the plastic foil stuff is good just dearer,stick it up with spray glue from toolstation.if you really want to go for it you can get an expanding foam spray kit to spray all the walls and ceiling,or there are firms who do it,this is probably best if you can afford it.ask on sbmcc site they'll know suppliers

 

[mark61]

Very expensive, but I've been told that these are about as good insulation as you can get.


ACTIS insulation – The benchmark for multifoil insulation products


and

TLX Thinsulex Multi-Foil Roof Insulation suppliers. We supply TLX Gold, TXL Silver and TLX Rafterfit

 

[n brown]

Expanding Insulation Foam Kits - For Larger Applications - Spray or Inject - Fast & Easy to Use i think the 229 quid is enough for a van

 

[Viktor]

Why not try ringing one of the major van converters and asking them what they use?

 

[Firefox]

Asking a main converter is likely to lead to more confusion because they could use techniques or materials which are not available to the general public.

Also, they do not have the motivation to share detailed accurate build information with adhoc callers who could be competitors.

 

[jenny]

thanks for all the suggestions...

I like the idea of putting the insulation in the bags this seems like an easier option than trying to put a single sheet covering of plastic. Has anyone tried the camping mat thing out of interest?

 

[n brown]

a few people use camping mats for the floor and over the cab.but if you have the headroom better to use kingspan for the floor.normally 25mm with 12mm ply on top,so if you can afford to lose37mm off your height?

 

[baloothebear]

I've used camping mats bought from the local bootsale in the past

 

[Firefox]

I used camping mats on hardboard with cream leatherette stretched over to make ceiling and wall lining panels. These also have an insulation value.

Only 6mm ply over my kingspan floor but battens at 400-500mm centres. 9mm or 12mm ply would be be much more robust, but I was desperate to save headroom.

 

[Tbear]

What's wrong with a good old fashioned carpet on the floor. The walls are mainly covered with cupboards and the like so that just leaves the roof.

Richard

 

[ellisboy]

Hello Jenny ! I've used Kingspan/celotex on the floor,ceiling and Walls.I stck it to the Walls with impact adhesive.I filled the gaps with expanding foam,from Screwfix.Buy a pro foam gun on eBay for under £10.Then I taped the joints with silver foil tape.The cheapest is £6.95 a roll.There are no squeaks from the insulation.I've filled the cavities and small areas with cavity wall insulation bats( made from plastic bottles.Use 12mm WPB ply for the floor, 6mm for Walls and 3mm for ceiling.

Have a look at my build blog in the link below,to give you an idea,regards Stephen :goodluck:

 

[Firefox]

Great build blog Stephen, I liked the latest progress!

 

[whitevanwoman]

:wave: hi jenny

have a look at this thread http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-problems/16579-heating-my-converted-motorhome.html

and this one http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-knowledge-base/16772-insulating-camping-mats.html

I've done my first layer of insulation using silver bubble wrap on ceiling and it's stopped all the condensation drips. Taped it together using silver aluminium tape, you can get it cheaper than quoted above, I got 2 rolls for less than that from ebay. I've got 2 layers of camping mats on floor under carpet mats and lino, and again a huge difference. I can now walk around in van in socks without feet feeling cold.

Haven't yet insulated sides, it will be tricky to insulate behind my ply as there is already a built in frame on one side and shelving on the other so am planning to insulate over top of ply. Not yet decided on what to use yet but will probably be several layers, combination of different materials with sheep's fleece stuffed into gaps etc.

I've also made draught excluders for bottom of doors which has helped alot, and am planning on floor length curtains for rear doors and side door of my tranny van.

I stuck my silver bubble wrap on roof using double sided tape (needed about 5 rolls of the cheap stuff from Poundstretcher) so that I can take it off if / when I put a roof light in, but got some spray glue from ebay to glue the next layer to the silver bubble wrap which should make the job much easier and quicker. I've discovered that although the double sided tape works well with the silver bubble wrap, it won't stick well to camping mat.

Good luck. Hope you enjoy your van, I've only had mine a few months and am loving it.

 

[ellisboy]

Thanks Mr fox! Only managing to work Saturdays on the van,as I have to work for customers in the week.Have you made any videos lately ? Ive been following them avidly.I need to buy some solar panels next,so that I can finish the ceiling off.Cheers Stephen.:cheers:

 

[Canalsman]

Haven't yet insulated sides, it will be tricky to insulate behind my ply as there is already a built in frame on one side and shelving on the other so am planning to insulate over top of ply. Not yet decided on what to use yet but will probably be several layers, combination of different materials with sheep's fleece stuffed into gaps etc.

Why not use expanding foam behind the ply? You just need to drill a few access holes through which it can be injected.

 

[whitevanwoman]

Why not use expanding foam behind the ply? You just need to drill a few access holes through which it can be injected.

Firefox suggested that too, I'll look into it.

 

[ellisboy]

I've used the silver bubble insulation around the wheel arches,it moulds round quite nicely.:cheers:

 

[jenny]

Thanks for all the suggestions... will keep you posted what I end up deciding to do!

Went and bought a Waxoyl kit today to apply before I start insulating to hopefully provide another little barrier against rust.. They're normally about £40 but got this for £20 as the box was damaged! Bargin :dance:

Just another question... I've been having a bit of water leaking down the inside of the windscreen from behind the roof card thing in the cab.. not a lot but I was wondering what people thought about squirting some expanding foam in the gap? Is this a stupid idea? Or will it hopefully provide some insulation in the cab area whilst acting as a moisture barrier?

Thanks again!