Minivan floor...

[Almost There]

I've just ordered samples of the polyethylene roll here, the person I spoke with said even though not completely waterproof, it shouldn't absorb water.

That's the stuff I was writing about. Shop around though, it shouldn't be that expensive. Heck it's cheaper here in Canada which just isn't right.

It says it's not waterproof but I just took a scrap and poured some carbonated water on it. It just rolled off of it, maybe if you dunked it in a pond it might take on some water but I wouldn't worry about spills.

 

[Canine]

Maybe like this: (I searched under "floor pads" on Amazon) Sorry, my IPad can't grab the image.

ProSource Puzzle Exercise Mat High Quality EVA Foam Interlocking Tiles covers 24 sq feet
by ProSource Discounts, Inc.
  355 customer reviews  
Price: $23.95 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35. Details
In Stock.  Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Want it tomorrow, June 9? Order within 51 mins and choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Size: 24 Square Feet
Color: Black, Blue, Grey
Made out of high density EVA foam for greater durability and comfort
Covers a total of 24 square feet of space
Each tile measures 24"x24"x1/2" Includes 6 tiles + 12 end borders (might contain slight color variation between tiles).
Protects floors while providing a comfortable workout area
Water resistant, durable, lightweight and very simple to assemble

Q:  So will this product cover an area of 72' x 48' inches?

A:  With the edging on it measures almost 49x73
John Hutton answered on June 5, 2013

 

[anewbiewannabe]

The puzzle mats are great for comfort but liquid will go down between the pieces---I use mine in the garage and think I got them in the automotive section of a box store. If there wasn't a sealed waterproof surface underneath I think I'd use something like the underlayment I used for laminate flooring. It's designed to provide a moisture barrier and overlaps with a taped seam. It only comes in 100yd rolls that I've seen, but for $25 it would give piece of mind for all but major soaking spills. An example: http://www.lowes.com/pd_113768-46598-A62530_1z11ohd__?productId=50372956&pl=1

 

[SoulRaven]

That's the stuff I was writing about. Shop around though, it shouldn't be that expensive. Heck it's cheaper here in Canada which just isn't right.

I'm trying, I need just over 3 yards of it and I'm not finding anyplace I can get that for under about $55 cheapest. Closest I can see would be an entire roll of 1/8th thickness from Home Depot for $37, which in theory I could double up on for thickness but I'm not sure I want that much hassle and fiddlyness in my setup to save $20. After a good several hours of solid google-fu, I'm just not finding cheap options.

I think I'd use something like the underlayment I used for laminate flooring.  It's designed to provide a moisture barrier and overlaps with a taped seam.  It only comes in 100yd rolls that I've seen, but for $25 it would give piece of mind for all but major soaking spills.  An example: http://www.lowes.com/pd_113768-46598-A62530_1z11ohd__?productId=50372956&pl=1

I've considered underlayment, but my concern is that it's thin and not designed to hold up under a lot of wear and tear. I'd expect it to rip fairly easily, but if I make it down to a brick and mortar store I'd definitely grab a feel of it. Hard to get a handle on what I'm shopping for without examples to feel.

 

[Almost There]

I'm trying, I need just over 3 yards of it and I'm not finding anyplace I can get that for under about $55 cheapest. Closest I can see would be an entire roll of 1/8th thickness from Home Depot for $37, which in theory I could double up on for thickness but I'm not sure I want that much hassle and fiddlyness in my setup to save $20. After a good several hours of solid google-fu, I'm just not finding cheap options.

You've got over 9 feet between the back seats and the back doors?? Wow, I didn't think it would be that long!!

The roll from Home Depot is 48" wide by 60 feet so if you do decide to go that route, lay one layer lengthwise and piece it in and then lay the second layer across the van so that none of the seams are overtop of another to ensure waterproof integrity. If you can get your hands on some 3M Super 77 adhesive it would work for gluing the two layers together. If you have to buy it that would cut into the price difference...sigh!!

 

[SoulRaven]

You've got over 9 feet between the back seats and the back doors?? Wow, I didn't think it would be that long!!

That's measuring to include the dip in the back (down one side and partially up the other), which I'd really prefer to do to fully protect from water there. Learned from living in the 2-door vintage Corolla that water can gather in corners you least expect (especially PNW winters) and then stay there a long while...

 

[anewbiewannabe]

"I've considered underlayment, but my concern is that it's thin and not designed to hold up under a lot of wear and tear. I'd expect it to rip fairly easily, but if I make it down to a brick and mortar store I'd definitely grab a feel of it. Hard to get a handle on what I'm shopping for without examples to feel."

The underlayment is about like the sheets of foam wrap that is found in some shipping boxes. It would definitely need a cover---it would work under the puzzle mats well. I don't know about other applications---it depends on what you want on top.

I don't know how expensive they are or if there are sizes big enough, but for the well you might check out the membranes they sell for tile shower pans. I can't think if there's a special name for it, but it's a thicker rubber type membrane that gets put down before tiling in a shower. You would still need some kind of cover for it if storing anything not in a plastic storage box, but it would definitely be waterproof. Hmm, you could even turn the well into a bathtub.

 

[Bdog1]

Or pond liner! And get pet fish....

 

[SoulRaven]

Lol you all are talking about things way too rich for my blood.

Perhaps the OP is looking for a more complex build and proper "floor", but for me personally I'm just planning to grab something that's a step up from laying a sheet of plastic down. I don't do the stuff that requires construction knowledge and capability - partly because of limited physical capacity, but partly too, I'm realizing, it's part of my minimalist style. This will be the third vehicle I've lived out of with no modifications to the vehicle itself (as of yet - I may change that eventually), so the notion of laying down multiple layers of flooring honestly just sounds like a lot of unnecessary work to me. First vehicle I used Reflectix to line everything including the floor, my current van I first just went with the carpet it came with then laid down plastic, so now the closed cell foam I'm considering is like the deluxe luxury edition. I've just borrowed a camping sleeping mat made of the same material and I believe it'll do quite nicely.

Perhaps someday I'll do a van the more "conventional" vandweller way (is there such a thing??) but for now, for me, keeping things simple is more along the lines of "Hey, this surface uncomfy and annoying to clean spills off of, and damage to something so nice and new causes me stress. Let's grab something to place over it and just like magic the problems disappear! Yay!"

 

[coolmom42]

Looking to convert a minivan to living space. However with the seats removed, the floor is carpeted, but very uneven. Any creative solutions for a sub-floor to smooth everything out? I'm thinking maybe just a sheet of plywood cut to fit, and with a hole for the heat/ac vent. Headroom is so tight and need to maximize it...

If you are building a bed platform, adjust the leg height to accomodate the floor unevenness.  Most of the floor is going to be UNDER something anyway.  Get a long runner rug (or whatever shape fits best) at WM to protect the carpet.  You can pick up the rug and shake it out, and wash as needed.  Unless you spill a LOT of stuff and don't wipe up, the throw rug will be adequate to protect the carpet.  

I would not start messing with the floor.  

Google "grove guy minivan conversion" for great info on converting a minivan to living space.

 

[SoulRaven]

Lol you all are talking about things way too rich for my blood.

Perhaps someday I'll do a van the more "conventional" vandweller way (is there such a thing??) but for now, for me, keeping things simple is more along the lines of "Hey, this surface uncomfy and annoying to clean spills off of, and damage to something so nice and new causes me stress. Let's grab something to place over it and just like magic the problems disappear! Yay!"

Bitty, you have already learned what cost many of us a lot of time and frustration.  Not modifying the vehicle has been one of the biggest leaps forward that I ever made.

I spent so much time and money modifying vehicles to wind up with less comfortable, and less convenient set ups than by simply moving stuff in and keeping it portable.  Now if something breaks, it is easy to repair or replace without requiring a major remodeling job.  If I need to change my floor plan for some reason, it is a simple and easy task now.

The layout that might be perfect for today, might be terrible for what you're doing next week or next month.  I find myself rearranging my setup several times a year for some special purpose or another.  Something I couldn't do if everything was built in.