Closed cell insulation
- Thread starter Belchfire
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I recommend Polyiso sheets. They are a type of styrofoam with an R value of R-6 per inch.
Bob
Bob
Canine
Well-known member
Closed cell is the best with Polyiso having the highest R-value per inch of all types of closed cell insulation. It is more moisture resistant which is a huge plus because our small dwellings are more susceptible to condensation and moisture. This prevents mold. Also, dry insulation works about a million times better than wet insulation.
The R-value of Polyiso degrades more slowly compared with most if not all other kinds of rigid insulation. If you want to get picky, you can learn more about the different kinds and the specific applications. It doesn't matter which kind you get- I'm pretty sure you're going to be in good shape if it says Polyiso.
It's really easy to work with too! Unless you are disabled or have some reason that you can't install it yourself, I imagine any contractor or a friend can install rigid foam. I would like to hear from others on the forum for a definitive answer on that; I don't think you need special training to do a great job.
I prefer using thinner (3/4 inch to 1 inch) because it is easier to cut and flexes much better than two inch. Two inch is awkward to cut with a knife. If you want a thick layer like 3 inches, use three, staggered layers of 1 inch rigid Polyiso. This helps prevent thermal bridging.
As far as rigid foam insulation goes, I will use only Polyiso unless I didn't have the money and needed something to put up. Spray foam has pros and cons but I prefer the rigid foam. You can get Polyiso at most any lumber yard or hardware store.
Rigid mineral wool might be a good option, but it is really expensive and hard to find. I think it dislikes moisture, but it might not be as waterproof as closed cell. Might be worth your time to look up if you're interested.
That is just my opinion. A lot will disagree. Some people like using layers of Reflectix or making some kind of Reflectix sandwich. I've seen people use foam egg crate material, which is fine if you have nothing else, but you never, ever, ever see legal, ethical contractors installing foam egg crate material as insulation. I've even read about one person that thought having no insulation was better than having insulation, although, I think that he was talking about warm environments only. I believe a good amount of quality insulation that is installed well is critical to saving money and being comfortable.
There's lots of good info in this forum. Search around and at other sites and you'll easily find what you're looking for.
The R-value of Polyiso degrades more slowly compared with most if not all other kinds of rigid insulation. If you want to get picky, you can learn more about the different kinds and the specific applications. It doesn't matter which kind you get- I'm pretty sure you're going to be in good shape if it says Polyiso.
It's really easy to work with too! Unless you are disabled or have some reason that you can't install it yourself, I imagine any contractor or a friend can install rigid foam. I would like to hear from others on the forum for a definitive answer on that; I don't think you need special training to do a great job.
I prefer using thinner (3/4 inch to 1 inch) because it is easier to cut and flexes much better than two inch. Two inch is awkward to cut with a knife. If you want a thick layer like 3 inches, use three, staggered layers of 1 inch rigid Polyiso. This helps prevent thermal bridging.
As far as rigid foam insulation goes, I will use only Polyiso unless I didn't have the money and needed something to put up. Spray foam has pros and cons but I prefer the rigid foam. You can get Polyiso at most any lumber yard or hardware store.
Rigid mineral wool might be a good option, but it is really expensive and hard to find. I think it dislikes moisture, but it might not be as waterproof as closed cell. Might be worth your time to look up if you're interested.
That is just my opinion. A lot will disagree. Some people like using layers of Reflectix or making some kind of Reflectix sandwich. I've seen people use foam egg crate material, which is fine if you have nothing else, but you never, ever, ever see legal, ethical contractors installing foam egg crate material as insulation. I've even read about one person that thought having no insulation was better than having insulation, although, I think that he was talking about warm environments only. I believe a good amount of quality insulation that is installed well is critical to saving money and being comfortable.
There's lots of good info in this forum. Search around and at other sites and you'll easily find what you're looking for.
HarmonicaBruce
Well-known member
Open cell will retain water and cause your van to rust away. One problem with closed cell is if you install it at sea level, then drive to 6,000 feet elevation, the foam will expand, which can cause the panels in your van to bulge, possibly causing permanent damage. Bob is right, he has this whole thing figured out. I'd be very cautious before going against Bob's advice.Belchfire said:
