Insulation

[Willy]

 Okay. The Reflectix stuff is DEAD EASY and QUICK to put up. You want it on the walls/ceiling as BOTH a vapour barrier and significant amount of insulation. That open cell foam in the walls will ABSORB WATER!! That's badbadbadbadbad, and why it needs a vapour barrier. It shouldn't take more than a day or 2 to put in the Reflectix. Check out my post re. putting up an insulated sub-ceiling in my camper. I  took some exciting photos and posted them so you'll have an Idea re. what I'm blabbin' on about. If you go to southern AZ, Cali, or New Mex, insulation shouldn't be too big of a worry, though it's nice to have. Painting the exterior of your roof white helps during both summer & winter. I like the Coroplast (yup, that plastic paneling type material) because it's light, waterproof, has a decent R-value, doesn't need extra money for paint, and is EXTREMELY easy to work with too. There's nothing stopping from putting wood paneling over it later on and, with the Reflectix/Coroplast setup you'd be ready to roll in a few days. ..Willy.  

 

[peacetara]

Reflectix works ok, but it's CRAZY expensive, even the off-brand cheaper stuff is pretty expensive.&nbsp; This is what I did, and I'm not a super handy-woman either.<br><br>1) I bought 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of 3/4 inch white styrofoam with a shiny reflective side and a plasticy side.&nbsp; They are about 8$ for a sheet (or were when I was buying them).&nbsp; Mine are labeled "R-tech by Insulfoam a Carlisle company".&nbsp; They sell it in 1/2", 3/4" and thicker.&nbsp; This stuff is what is used in houses, and can buy it at Lowe's, Home Depot or any sort of building supply store.&nbsp; My 12' by 6' by 4' (tall) van took about 6 sheets, to do 1 layer all the way around.&nbsp; Ideally you want 2 or 3 layers on the ceiling, since that is where most of your heat is lost (since heat rises).<br><br>I just cut it around the larger obstacles like the wheel wells, and otherwise just shoved and pushed it into place.&nbsp; In a few spots I needed some "stick" I used 100% silicone sealant and duct tape.&nbsp; It works super fabulous, and I've happily survived 0 degree temperatures in Montana with it.<br><br>I want to add another layer or two to the ceiling, but am otherwise super happy with it.<br><br>To cover my windows, I bought felt cloth from Walmart doubled it over and sewed it together.&nbsp; Super warm, super great.&nbsp; To hold it up, I use either velcro, or just shove it in behind the white Styrofoam insulation <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody ">The "great stuff" expanding can stuff is to fill all the little cracks and crevices and stuff and the parts where you couldn't quite get covered with the white styrofoam.<br><br>I'm not saying willy's method doesn't work, but it's a fair bit of work and more expensive to buy all those bits and pieces, and requires more handy "man" skills <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; I do agree with him about condensation, that is definitely an issue.&nbsp; The white styrofoam (if you seal it with silicone along the edges, will act as a vapor barrier) But you can always do that step later (I'm still working on that part.. LOL)<br><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody ">Bob (the forum owner) does (and recommends) the same white styrofoam stuff that I did, but he does his install different, he puts wood strips down, and then screws the insulation into the wood strips.&nbsp; That's too much work and hassle for me, I just shoved it into place.<br><br>Second, I recommend getting a "Portable Buddy" heater by "Mr. Buddy" it's the medium sized one that they make.&nbsp; You can set it on the floor, and warm the place up in minutes.&nbsp; They are about $100, but are safe to use indoors, I turn mine on for a few minutes before bed, and a few minutes after I get up.&nbsp; makes getting out of my warm bed a lot easier, and makes changing clothes a lot nice experience!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[Willy]

The Ayr-Foil A2A insulation costs $22 here for a 48"x12.5' roll (R-7.5 for ceilings, R-9.5 walls)&nbsp; http://www.my-green-home-project.com/support-files/guideayrfoil.pdf&nbsp; , which is less than 1/2 the price of Reflectix and 2x the price of 1" Plastispan (R-value of 3.75). Frankly, I think that the Plastispan, the stuff with the reflective layer on one side and plastic film on the other, might have a higher R-value than claimed.. but it would still need that dead air space in front of it. Just leaving it bare can't help but degrade the benefit of having that layer (dust and various films of whatever would tend to affect the reflective properties). So, it seems that for an equivalent R-value, Ayr-Foil and Plastispan (white Polystyrene sandwiched between the reflective layer and the plastic film) are rather equivalent pricewise, but the Ayr-Foil will take up LESS headroom by abt. 1- 3/4". Decisions, decisions.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Natureglo:<br><br>I don't know how far you are from gassaway wv (about dead center of the state), but there is a sort of charity overstock shop for home building supplies out here (basically home renovation suppliers donates to these people unsold stock, and they sell it off for charity at low prices), and they have stacks of foam panel insulation, and i bet it is cheaper than anywhere else.&nbsp; If you want, ill try to get out thursday (they only open tues and thursday) and price some stuff for you, tho not sure with gas added in its cheaper.&nbsp; My 'handyman' bought me a brand new sink for my van for 14 bucks from there (as opposed to 50-80 at the store) <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">

 

[natureglo]

Natureglo:<br><br>I don't know how far you are from gassaway wv (about dead center of the state), but there is a sort of charity overstock shop for home building supplies out here (basically home renovation suppliers donates to these people unsold stock, and they sell it off for charity at low prices), and they have stacks of foam panel insulation, and i bet it is cheaper than anywhere else.&nbsp; If you want, ill try to get out thursday (they only open tues and thursday) and price some stuff for you, tho not sure with gas added in its cheaper.&nbsp; My 'handyman' bought me a brand new sink for my van for 14 bucks from there (as opposed to 50-80 at the store) <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img">

<br><br>Thank you for sharing about this. According to Google Maps, Gassaway is 2 and 1/2 hours away. So, with the time and gas to get out there, I think I'd best just get my stuff at LOWE's a 1/2 hour away. I'm planning to complete the insulation this weekend. Gulp! Wish me the best of luck!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Good luck ! Every thing is 2 hours away from here it seems lol Thought I would ask though <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> Im about to head there now to see what i can snag.<br><br><br>Edit:&nbsp; So i looked and they have some stuff there but a lot of it is really thick. We did spot some thinner pieces mixed in (they have mixed together on pallets). They have the really styrofoam stuff (rigid, breaks into little balls) but only in super thick panels.&nbsp; Then they have the yellow foam type stuff that is stiff but not as stiff as the styrofoam.&nbsp; They charge 1.50 per inch of thickness, and the pieces are 4'x4' squares.&nbsp; So basically i can insulate the van for about 15-20 bucks is about what we figure.&nbsp; This doesn't look exactly like the insofoam panels ive seen online tho so im not sure how effective it will be regarding moisture so i might plastic it too (i dont know if its open or closed foam i guess..).&nbsp; None of the stuff is marked out on what exactly it is.&nbsp; <br><br>So does the plastic go on the van wall, or does it go on the otherside of the foam toward interior, or both?&nbsp; Or is it really unnecessary?&nbsp; I plan to panel with the white stuff.&nbsp; I hate wood paneling.<br><br>They have huge spools of reflectix like material too about a foot wide and probably a mile long <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="bbc_img">, but i forgot to price it.&nbsp; I dont think i need it with the other panels.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;The plastic (vapour barrier) goes on the inside. That's what I like about Coroplast (amongst other things).. coloured paneling and vapour barrier in one. ..Willy.

 

[natureglo]

&nbsp;The plastic (vapour barrier) goes on the inside. That's what I like about Coroplast (amongst other things).. coloured paneling and vapour barrier in one. ..Willy.

<br><br>I'll look for the Coroplast at LOWE's but, I think I may need to wait on that. I'm about to jump on down to LOWE'S now to get my supplies. Are start insulating tomorrow morning! I should video the process or at least take photos of it. Wish me luck!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Well the foam fell through.&nbsp; Unfortunately it turns out all the panels they had were beveled (wedges basically) with the one end too thick and the other end very thin.&nbsp; <br><br><br>They had some reflectix in big old rolls.&nbsp; It isnt as wide as the stuff from lowes but hey, this roll cost me 17 bucks.&nbsp; I think its a good deal (maybe im wrong given its so narrow), its 1/4 inch thick, 9" wide, and the roll is from wheel to wheel (don't know how long it is):<br><br>

<br><br><br>Im switching up a bit...im going to put this on the inside of the panels...supposedly reflextix works best with air space anyway.&nbsp; I am more worried about heat in summer than cold in the winter, so foil out.&nbsp; Ive decided just to attach the panels right to the ribs for simplicity and maximum space.&nbsp; This will also mean i can run this down the length of the panel, saving on seams/strips.&nbsp; But ive read a couple places that in a van, the air space can lead to condensation on the steel and rot out the van faster.&nbsp; <br><br>Maybe I can double it up...

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Yup, that coroplast does a bang-up job on my windows and ceiling. ..Willy.

 

[lampliter]

I don't have to insulate the roof of my "camper car"; a salt truck backed into it and it's totaled, (I wasn't in it). It turned out well; I took the money from the insurance and added a little to it and bought an Astro van.<br>How do I insulate the floor?

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;You can buy those interlocking closed cell foam tiles (nice 'n soft too!) and lay them down.. and could put plywood over them to, if you wished. ..Willy.

 

[Willy]

AFAIK, they're waterproof, but there are the joins to consider. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a vapour barrier and, if you're wanting a permanent installation, then the wood will either be primed/painted w. porch 'n floor (a barrier by itself) or something like linoleum put down. If not permanent, then who cares? Just pull it out every few months and let 'er dry.. if it's even wet. ..Willy.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;TTo get rid of mold, and to stay rid of the nasty stuff, spray with a solution of TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) and wipe off. ..Willy.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;S'okay.. still good to know though. They sell this overpriced spray at Home Depot, complete with 'informative' video, for getting rid of mold and all it is is a dilute mixture of TSP and water. We used to use TSP, when powerwashing houses, to quickly get rid of the mildew on exterior walls. ..Willy.